jw1739

@bt50 Yes. I must say that when I first read it I assumed that there would be one coach or more of each. I had to read it twice to realise that it was going to be one or the other based on responses.

https://melbournecityfc.com.au/news/join-our-epic-grand-final-road-trip No price is quoted here. The way it read to me was that you would be up for food, drinks, incidentals, and Saturday night's accommodation in Sydney, but everything else was going to be paid for by the club. $100 refundable deposit but no refund if you didn't turn up. It might have been a sweeter deal if the accommodation in Sydney and transport to and from was arranged by the club, even if you had to pay for that component, but if you're not familiar with a place getting decent accommodation is a bit of a lottery. I've never been to Parramatta in my life and know absolutely nothing about it. Pearce is likely in the UK. Maybe everyone could kip down at his mansion...? And any overflow to Townsend's place.

Wow. Surely the club has to get the message that supporting the decision was a mistake?

Did anyone nominate for the ballot for the road trip to Sydney? Nominations closed on 22nd May, but there's nothing further on the club website.

Beaten 2-1 away by the bottom club Angers last night.

Indeed. Great to hear he's staying on with the club. Deserves a Testimonial match - make it happen CFG.

I don't do (anti-)social media so I'm not likely to be influenced by it one way or the other. But after reading your post, just for interest and comparison, I checked out our club website. I think it's fair to say that there is not a lot of hype there either.

Ah, so you were writing about promotional tweets by the League itself. Well, two points - I wouldn't have expected anything else from Sydney-centric APL, and why did Mr. Sportswash support the GF decision in the first place unless it was the influence of Silver Lake?

Forgive me, but I don't know whether that's good or bad. Without the "Festival of Football" are we losing momentum with a two-week wait for the GF?

Absolutely. While I can still climb up the bloody steps we'll be there!

I've been paying $38.49 per month for one adult City Blue and one senior City Blue. Next year it will be $45.97 - an increase of 19.4%. I guess Mansour needs help paying his Victorian electricity bill.

https://shop.melbournecityfc.com.au/products/membership

Are we sure that this is not confusion with the reported likely arrival of Jamie Young?

Absolutely. If there is any substance in it, I'd say the club would be looking at him for a role beyond his playing career as well. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ashley-youngs-hidden-role-aston-29848894

Ashley Young from Aston Villa? If so, just doesn't seem to fit a policy of nurturing young players through the Academy and into the seniors. Still playing regularly though, and out of contract 30 Jun 2023.

I have a feeling that doubts about the ownership of City is one reason why we don't have a bigger fanbase.

Indeed, what game? And what "Festival of Football?" I just Googled the latter and all I could come up with relevant to the GF was this: https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/05/23/apls-festival-of-football-looking-very-thin-on-the-ground/ Debacle.

I really doubt that our players even know what he said let alone take any notice of it if they do. Rado could have shown a bit more class and said that we're pleased to play in the GF and look forward to a great match against whoever wins the other semi-final, and leave it at that, but he didn't. In the end I doubt that a few pre-match words will have any impact on the match - the best team on the night will win it. Central Coast have had a good season and will play in the AFC Cup next season, while we will be in the Champions League. Great outcome for both clubs and their fans.

Some of us don't roll over so easily.

I would have expected nothing less from our friends at APL.

I think it could go either way, and with it being in Sydney, with Central Coast having absolutely nothing to lose and who finished the season strongly, and who will have great support on the day, IMO they have the edge . Central Coast are a fast attacking side and I think our defence is very vulnerable against the quick counter. Up front we are still reluctant to shoot and very wasteful when we do.

Having to offer City members 20% discount to buy a GF ticket...says it all.

Exactly. Especially with 5 out of the current 12 clubs located within 120km of Sydney. What hurts me more is that the owners of our club were complicit in the decision. And people wonder why our attendances are what they are...?

I have assumed that the second week is the "Festival of Football" culminating in the GF, although I can't find any program for said Festival.

Always an interesting subject... The numbers for season 2022-23 can be found here https://www.ultimatealeague.com/statistics/attendance/?excludeFinals=false and you can tick the little box at the top if you wish to exclude finals matches. The range from top to bottom is pretty much what you see for League 2 in England. Other comments include that the expansion clubs Macarthur and Western don't seem to be really helping the league grow, and the fall from grace of Victory is very evident.