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Expansion Thread 🪜

Hahaha, those lyrics are actually perfect...

Got a fist of pure emotion, got a head of shattered dreams
I've got to leave it, I've got to leave it all behind now
Whatever I said
Whatever I did, I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, I want you back, I want you back for good)
Also "You'll be right and understood" :D
 
If there is any substance to the rumours that South Melbourne are in discussions with the APLs for the Western United licence, i think there will be a decent knock on affect for professional football in Melbourne, and it's a good time to be able to plan accordingly:

- This would force the APLs to have strong discussions with Melbourne City about a permanent move to the South East. There is no way they can have three teams playing within 3 kilometres of each other across two stadiums. There is no growth in that.
- Do they allow Victory to continue to build their "multi campus infrastructure" and have a presence in each region?
- Where will South Melbourne be able to actively grow the game in the city? What impact will they have outside of their current fan base, which is clearly a decent size
- What impact will bringing in South Melbourne have on existing fan bases of Victory and Melbourne City? Melbourne City simply cannot afford to go backwards again in this space

Many things to consider and none of them insurmountable
 
If there is any substance to the rumours that South Melbourne are in discussions with the APLs for the Western United licence, i think there will be a decent knock on affect for professional football in Melbourne, and it's a good time to be able to plan accordingly:

- This would force the APLs to have strong discussions with Melbourne City about a permanent move to the South East. There is no way they can have three teams playing within 3 kilometres of each other across two stadiums. There is no growth in that.
- Do they allow Victory to continue to build their "multi campus infrastructure" and have a presence in each region?
- Where will South Melbourne be able to actively grow the game in the city? What impact will they have outside of their current fan base, which is clearly a decent size
- What impact will bringing in South Melbourne have on existing fan bases of Victory and Melbourne City? Melbourne City simply cannot afford to go backwards again in this space

Many things to consider and none of them insurmountable
The single most limiting factor in South Melbourne growing it fan base is the use of the “Hellas” branding. It needs to move beyond that if it has any hope of engaging a broader fan base and to contribute to the growth of football in Australia. If it does not intend to do that, then it should not be considered for promotion to our elite league.broad based clubs are essential. A club that represents all of southern Melbourne would be great, but it will not resonate with the broader community if it continues to brand itself as “Hellas”. By the way, I have the utmost respect for South Melbourne FC and would love to see it in the A-League. But not branded such that its appeal is restricted, whether by perception or reality, to a narrow portion of the community.
 
The single most limiting factor in South Melbourne growing it fan base is the use of the “Hellas” branding. It needs to move beyond that if it has any hope of engaging a broader fan base and to contribute to the growth of football in Australia. If it does not intend to do that, then it should not be considered for promotion to our elite league.broad based clubs are essential. A club that represents all of southern Melbourne would be great, but it will not resonate with the broader community if it continues to brand itself as “Hellas”. By the way, I have the utmost respect for South Melbourne FC and would love to see it in the A-League. But not branded such that its appeal is restricted, whether by perception or reality, to a narrow portion of the community.
So Melbourne City is acceptable?!!!

An overseas owned entity that is a branch of Manchester City?

Jeezers!!
 
What I think needs change is the bubble that many have been indoctrinated of ethnic clubs the last 20+yrs.
It is not the same as it was back in the racist early to end days of the NSL.
You all have moved on no ?
We are this inclusive migrant society I’m led to believe so why don’t you people open your eyes and back it up.
This is what’s wrong with this pro league being so hum lame.
The flavour the mix.
As a NPL supporter first I will turn on smh if they get conned by the apl caught in a corner due to their comp management let alone them only worrying about being part of a bs comp that is completely against their dna.
 
The single most limiting factor in South Melbourne growing it fan base is the use of the “Hellas” branding. It needs to move beyond that if it has any hope of engaging a broader fan base and to contribute to the growth of football in Australia. If it does not intend to do that, then it should not be considered for promotion to our elite league.broad based clubs are essential. A club that represents all of southern Melbourne would be great, but it will not resonate with the broader community if it continues to brand itself as “Hellas”. By the way, I have the utmost respect for South Melbourne FC and would love to see it in the A-League. But not branded such that its appeal is restricted, whether by perception or reality, to a narrow portion of the community.
Just to play devils advocate, is the Celtic moniker considered a limiting factor for the Glasgow clubs fan base. Or Hellas Verona in Italy for that matter. It’s part of the clubs history, arguably one of the clubs selling points/points of difference..actually having some organic history. Don’t like it? Fine, support victory, each to their own. Also fwiw “Hellas” is only a “nickname” nowadays, the offical name of the club is South Melbourne football club
 
Just to play devils advocate, is the Celtic moniker considered a limiting factor for the Glasgow clubs fan base. Or Hellas Verona in Italy for that matter. It’s part of the clubs history, arguably one of the clubs selling points/points of difference..actually having some organic history. Don’t like it? Fine, support victory, each to their own. Also fwiw “Hellas” is only a “nickname” nowadays, the offical name of the club is South Melbourne football club
Here here
Same applies for any club with an ethnic or English or whatever background playing around leagues all over the world.
Like really what small mindedness doctored in this country.
 
What I think needs change is the bubble that many have been indoctrinated of ethnic clubs the last 20+yrs.
It is not the same as it was back in the racist early to end days of the NSL.
You all have moved on no ?
We are this inclusive migrant society I’m led to believe so why don’t you people open your eyes and back it up.
This is what’s wrong with this pro league being so hum lame.
The flavour the mix.
As a NPL supporter first I will turn on smh if they get conned by the apl caught in a corner due to their comp management let alone them only worrying about being part of a bs comp that is completely against their dna.
Has anyone told Pauline Hanson this?
 
Just to play devils advocate, is the Celtic moniker considered a limiting factor for the Glasgow clubs fan base. Or Hellas Verona in Italy for that matter. It’s part of the clubs history, arguably one of the clubs selling points/points of difference..actually having some organic history. Don’t like it? Fine, support victory, each to their own. Also fwiw “Hellas” is only a “nickname” nowadays, the offical name of the club is South Melbourne football club
Man, why do you even bother?
 
The single most limiting factor in South Melbourne growing it fan base is the use of the “Hellas” branding. It needs to move beyond that if it has any hope of engaging a broader fan base and to contribute to the growth of football in Australia. If it does not intend to do that, then it should not be considered for promotion to our elite league.broad based clubs are essential. A club that represents all of southern Melbourne would be great, but it will not resonate with the broader community if it continues to brand itself as “Hellas”. By the way, I have the utmost respect for South Melbourne FC and would love to see it in the A-League. But not branded such that its appeal is restricted, whether by perception or reality, to a narrow portion of the community.
its not branding pal, its our DNA as a club and a community..... Chanted with pride by ALL of our Australian fans AND players regardless of where their parents were born...
 
They already have more fans than Western and Macarthur, they don't need to appeal to broader audience if they don't want to. Huge demographic already to appeal to. Bring them in

Im not doubting they are bigger than both those clubs.

At a guess, how big is this "huge demographic" do you think?
 
If there is any substance to the rumours that South Melbourne are in discussions with the APLs for the Western United licence, i think there will be a decent knock on affect for professional football in Melbourne, and it's a good time to be able to plan accordingly:

- This would force the APLs to have strong discussions with Melbourne City about a permanent move to the South East. There is no way they can have three teams playing within 3 kilometres of each other across two stadiums. There is no growth in that.
- Do they allow Victory to continue to build their "multi campus infrastructure" and have a presence in each region?
- Where will South Melbourne be able to actively grow the game in the city? What impact will they have outside of their current fan base, which is clearly a decent size
- What impact will bringing in South Melbourne have on existing fan bases of Victory and Melbourne City? Melbourne City simply cannot afford to go backwards again in this space

Many things to consider and none of them insurmountable

From what I hear is the APL has approached South Melbourne - but what does that mean.

I doubt that means that SMFC will have to pay $25 million. Maybe $1 million to play - but no ownership stake.
I don't know if other teams have been approached.
The APL still talking about Canberra for next season - I think it is too late. But if it isn't is this the APL trying to get to 14 clubs?
Is this a backup plan if the QPR/HBG takeover of CCCMFC falls over?

More questions than answers to me.
 
From what I hear is the APL has approached South Melbourne - but what does that mean.

I doubt that means that SMFC will have to pay $25 million. Maybe $1 million to play - but no ownership stake.
I don't know if other teams have been approached.
The APL still talking about Canberra for next season - I think it is too late. But if it isn't is this the APL trying to get to 14 clubs?
Is this a backup plan if the QPR/HBG takeover of CCCMFC falls over?

More questions than answers to me.

The answer is they know they can likely rely on SMFC delivering crowds around 10k per week every week. Thats enticing because the majority of expansion teams in the A-league have been failures.

Canberra won't happen.
 
Thats great but what are the numbers??
How can anyone even begin to reasonably guess? Whatever they are at the very first Australian Championship game we got 7 thousand.. for an Aleague debut I would comfortably say sell out 12k at Lakeside....

Home games with Victory, Adelaide, Perth would have to be at AAMI and would also probably sell out..
 
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