The APL/FA Management Thread

[Dylan]

Gallop just ensured that the seperation of the aleague from the FFA is going to happen a lot sooner than the clubs planned

[Jimmy]

Lol. Fucking idiots. Was a pretty easy situation to get out of. Just put out a statement like jw's above and prentend you're doing something for active fans. 

[ecguymer]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/david-gallop-speaks-about-week-of-controversy-in-the-a-league/story-e6frf423-1227629618509

with video of the press conference.....

[thisphantomfortress]

1 hour ago, Dylan said:

Gallop just ensured that the seperation of the aleague from the FFA is going to happen a lot sooner than the clubs planned

It's no secret that this is what the CFG eventually wants. My personal opinion is that this is the direction the clubs must go. This couple with the Nux ordeal just shows how incompetent the FFA really are

[bt50]

11 minutes ago, thisphantomfortress said:

It's no secret that this is what the CFG eventually wants. My personal opinion is that this is the direction the clubs must go. This couple with the Nux ordeal just shows how incompetent the FFA really are

Does anyone have any accurate insight into how FFA and the clubs are structured currently, and conversely, how the FA is set up in England?

Perhaps our good friends @Falastur and @silva10 can help from an English perspective??

Edited December 1, 2015 by bt50

[Dylan]

Just now, bt50 said:

Does anyone have any accurate insight into how FFA and the clubs are structured currently, and conversely, how the FA is set up in England?

Cue @Falastur @silva10 and @M13

[HEARTinator]

Interesting to compare what's happening here with the way it's handled in the UK. There is legislation specifically aimed at spectators attending football matches. So the UK courts are involved in sentencing and banning orders. Presumably there is an appeal process and evidence is available to the person being charged.  FFA process by comparison appears to be like a 'star chamber'

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34936495

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/37/introduction

[ecguymer]

48 minutes ago, bt50 said:

Does anyone have any accurate insight into how FFA and the clubs are structured currently, and conversely, how the FA is set up in England?

Perhaps our good friends @Falastur and @silva10 can help from an English perspective??

Well, from reading roughly half of the FFA constitution, the FFA is basically "owned" by the 9 state level soccer association (NSW has 2); who get to vote on board appointments at the AGM; board sets main policies and hires the CEO; the CEO hires the rest of the senior management, with whom s/he runs the organisation; from my understanding, the FFA issues licences to external bodies to operate an a-league team (aside from the FFA, no-one can hold multiple licences) with each licence holder having whatever management structure they want and can do whatever they want - provided that the terms of the licence are met

Does that answer your question, or have I misinterpreted what you asked?

[belaguttman]

The FFA A League licenses are franchises, FFA are the franchiser. This establishes the type of relationship between the franchisees and the owner of the competition, the FFA. The FFA has responsibilities in overall organisation and promotion but can withdraw or transfer the franchise if the franchise doesn't meet its obligations. It's a bit like 7 Eleven (without the cheap labour deals). One advantage of this system is that it allows FFA to intervene if what it sees as national interests are threatened by narrow franchise interests, and it allows FFA to step in when franchises become too dysfunctional (as has happened too many times in the past 10 years) and so preserve the integrity and continuation of the competition. What it doesn't do is allow the competition to evolve unless its in a direction that the FFA wants.

[ecguymer]

http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/seewhatsusiesays/index.php/heraldsun/comments/banned_football_thugs_should_not_be_supported_by_walkout/

Oh look, a news ltd columnist who hasn't actually looked into something before writing about it, what a shock.......

[HeartOfCity]

Mr Gallop sounded like a buffoon today! When he was selected for the job after his rugby days, I thought he'll fuck it up for sure. It has taken longer than I thought he would but today showed that he has no interest and no idea about what's going on, he's just one of those guys that seems to go places for no reason at all. I know this is slightly off topic but I would like to see Andrew Dimitriou have a crack, this might be a left field view but at least he can do a press conference without saying UMM more than show and tell in a kinder classroom.#Gallopout 

 

[Shahanga]

Gallop actually successfully defused crisis after crisis in the NRL (he was never in Rugby, that was John O'Neill), this should have been a walk in the park.

Ok so I actually saw the presser this time (not with the Q&A though ), was going off the SEN commentary before.  i think jw was right, he really missed the chance to stand up for the game which was very disappointing, but the presser wasn't as bad as people were saying.  

Is it the Q&A that has really annoyed everyone?  

Edited December 1, 2015 by Shahanga
improved post

[playmaker]

Gallop has always been a waste of time. The NRL couldn't wait to get rid of him.

[kingofhearts]

1 hour ago, ecguymer said:

http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/seewhatsusiesays/index.php/heraldsun/comments/banned_football_thugs_should_not_be_supported_by_walkout/

Oh look, a news ltd columnist who hasn't actually looked into something before writing about it, what a shock.......

Susie O'brien is the worst journalist and the biggest moron in history (srs)

Every single one of her articles is filled with complete shit that panders to women, whether it's saying their should be more women in parliament simply because their aren't enough atm (rather then letting them get in on merit) or writing an entire article about if men had periods (http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/seewhatsusiesays/index.php/heraldsun/comments/what_would_happen_if_men_got_periods/, just remember, she gets paid to do this) all she does is write uneducated, bias shit.

In fact i don't know why would even take her opinion or rebecca wilsons for that matter seriously. At least if it was a journalist like simon hill having a go at us we could actually have some intelligent discussion about the matter instead of giving these morons who clearly know nothing about the game air time they do not deserve.

Heres some advice the next time one of these people write an article, and how to make them go away:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlKao_Pox5A

 

Edited December 1, 2015 by kingofhearts

[silva10]

2 hours ago, Dylan said:

Cue @Falastur @silva10 and @M13

lol

I have no clue about the FFA, however, the FA have no power on the English leagues

I don't think the FA know what they do, but they are supposed to grow the game from the bottom by investing in the community  and youth.

 

 

[NewConvert]

1 hour ago, belaguttman said:

The FFA A League licenses are franchises, FFA are the franchiser. This establishes the type of relationship between the franchisees and the owner of the competition, the FFA. The FFA has responsibilities in overall organisation and promotion but can withdraw or transfer the franchise if the franchise doesn't meet its obligations. It's a bit like 7 Eleven (without the cheap labour deals). One advantage of this system is that it allows FFA to intervene if what it sees as national interests are threatened by narrow franchise interests, and it allows FFA to step in when franchises become too dysfunctional (as has happened too many times in the past 10 years) and so preserve the integrity and continuation of the competition. What it doesn't do is allow the competition to evolve unless its in a direction that the FFA wants.

This is similar to the AFL and is not necessarily a bad thing. What is happening this season is that the FFA has committed a number of high profile and significant stuff ups. And it seems that it is unable to evolve itself or at least Gallop is unable to do so. They are still thinking in year zero terms. I wonder what relationship Gallop has with the media outlets. Some things cannot be undone for this season at least such as the scheduling, others may have a remedy such as WP and more importantly the relationship the FFA want to have with the fans. Now with a new chairman in Steven Lowy, the board should have a careful look at the manner Gallop and De Bohun have handled the leaking of information and the way fans are being treated. I am not sure how far the multimedia rights have progressed (if at all) but it certainly looking like a good time to tap Gallop on the shoulder and hire someone else.

[jw1739]

1 hour ago, Shahanga said:

Gallop actually successfully defused crisis after crisis in the NRL (he was never in Rugby, that was John O'Neill), this should have been a walk in the park.

Ok so I actually saw the presser this time (not with the Q&A though ), was going off the SEN commentary before.  i think jw was right, he really missed the chance to stand up for the game which was very disappointing, but the presser wasn't as bad as people were saying.  

Is it the Q&A that has really annoyed everyone?  

Based on what I've witnessed since the formation of Heart I'd say the problem is more endemic disease within FFA than Gallop himself. At NRL he probably had far better consultants advising on PR, doing the training, preparing the pressers, etc. Material coming out of FFA often has spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, a clear indication of the level of seriousness at which FFA takes PR. 

I've done all this stuff - a while ago - mostly radio but some TV. The key points are the development of the message, staying on message - to the point where you quite often ignore the question altogether and simply say what you want to say - and whilst staying on message you adjust the manner of delivery according to your audience (this to ensure that you talk neither up or down to that audience). You train in "stage" conditions - full TV makeup and under floodlights (which make you sweat like hell) with your own PR team firing the questions at you. The aim is to keep repeating the message and give that message in no more than a 30-second "grab." That's usually all the media will give you on most issues. The other thing is, it's a game. The PR consultants know it's a game (many former journos), and the media knows it's a game. Give them a punchy "grab" and they're happy.

The best example I know is an election won by Neville Wran in NSW. His message was "The people of New South Wales have made the right choice", and he just repeated it time after time. Surprise, surprise - that was the headline conveyed in the print media the morning after the poll.

Gallop is just a pawn in this, and he's getting poor backroom support. Mind you, as CEO he ought to be far more alert to the indaequacy than he appears to be.

Edited December 1, 2015 by jw1739

[Shahanga]

5 minutes ago, jw1739 said:

Based on what I've witnessed since the formation of Heart I'd say the problem is more endemic disease within FFA than Gallop himself. At NRL he probably had far better consultants advising on PR, doing the training, preparing the pressers, etc. Material coming out of FFA often has spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, a clear indication of the level of seriousness at which FFA takes PR. 

I've done all this stuff - a while ago - mostly radio but some TV. The key points are the development of the message, staying on message - to the point where you quite often ignore the question altogether and simply say what you want to say - and whilst staying on message you adjust the manner of delivery according to your audience (this to ensure that you talk neither up or down to that audience). You train in "stage" conditions - full TV makeup and under floodlights (which make you sweat like hell) with your own PR team firing the questions at you. The aim is to keep repeating the message and give that message in no more than a 30-second "grab." That's usually all the media will give you on most issues. The other thing is, it's a game. The PR consultants know it's a game (many former journos), and the media knows it's a game. Give them a punchy "grab" and they're happy.

The best example I know is an election won by Neville Wran in NSW. His message was "The people of New South Wales have made the right choice", and he just repeated it time after time. Surprise, surprise - that was the headline conveyed in the print media the morning after the poll.

Gallop is just a pawn in this, and he's getting poor backroom support. Mind you, as CEO he ought to be far more alert to the indaequacy than he appears to be.

You get more interesting by the day JW. Not just a quiz master I see.

[bt50]

5 hours ago, Dylan said:

Gallop just ensured that the seperation of the aleague from the FFA is going to happen a lot sooner than the clubs planned

Even Dave Davutovic agreed with your dulcet tones this evening

[Dylan]

2 minutes ago, bt50 said:

Even Dave Davutovic agreed with your dulcet tones this evening

its hard doing talk back. You're on hold for so long that you end up in this daze then suddenly have to remember what you we're going to talk about.

I didn't know FFA only had 70 staff. Sounds a bit like Scott Munn running the heart

[Jacques Le Cube]

2 hours ago, Shahanga said:

Gallop actually successfully defused crisis after crisis in the NRL (he was never in Rugby, that was John O'Neill), this should have been a walk in the park.

Ok so I actually saw the presser this time (not with the Q&A though ), was going off the SEN commentary before.  i think jw was right, he really missed the chance to stand up for the game which was very disappointing, but the presser wasn't as bad as people were saying.  

Is it the Q&A that has really annoyed everyone?  

Which made Gallop an odd appointment by the FFA. He made his name in crisis management but soccer in Australia was reasonably stable when he took the job. There was commentary when he was appointed (i think it may have been from Roy Masters) that the FFA should be looking to appoint someone who was bold, innovative and had vision. Which is the opposite of Gallop (reactionary and pragmatic). And look what happens 3 years later when problems are left to fester.

[kingofhearts]

The RBB are abandoning this week games FWIW.

Will their be more action taken by the Melburnians?

[thisphantomfortress]

4 minutes ago, kingofhearts said:

The RBB are abandoning this week games FWIW.

Will their be more action taken by the Melburnians?

We will not be traveling to Gosford this Thursday as a part of the league wide protests. 

[jeffplz]

On 11/28/2015, 1:06:56, ecguymer said:

From what I saw on the TV, it looked like a number of the active support guys moved back to there usual seats during the half time break.....kinda wish I'd actually gone......

anything planned for the derby?

[Deeming]

10 minutes ago, jeffplz said:

anything planned for the derby?

Hope followed by despair.

[thisphantomfortress]

1 minute ago, Deeming said:

Hope followed by despair.

@Embee cried last derby 

[belaguttman]

1 hour ago, jw1739 said:

Based on what I've witnessed since the formation of Heart I'd say the problem is more endemic disease within FFA than Gallop himself. At NRL he probably had far better consultants advising on PR, doing the training, preparing the pressers, etc. Material coming out of FFA often has spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, a clear indication of the level of seriousness at which FFA takes PR. 

I've done all this stuff - a while ago - mostly radio but some TV. The key points are the development of the message, staying on message - to the point where you quite often ignore the question altogether and simply say what you want to say - and whilst staying on message you adjust the manner of delivery according to your audience (this to ensure that you talk neither up or down to that audience). You train in "stage" conditions - full TV makeup and under floodlights (which make you sweat like hell) with your own PR team firing the questions at you. The aim is to keep repeating the message and give that message in no more than a 30-second "grab." That's usually all the media will give you on most issues. The other thing is, it's a game. The PR consultants know it's a game (many former journos), and the media knows it's a game. Give them a punchy "grab" and they're happy.

The best example I know is an election won by Neville Wran in NSW. His message was "The people of New South Wales have made the right choice", and he just repeated it time after time. Surprise, surprise - that was the headline conveyed in the print media the morning after the poll.

Gallop is just a pawn in this, and he's getting poor backroom support. Mind you, as CEO he ought to be far more alert to the indaequacy than he appears to be.

If I were Gallop I'd be furious after that presser and I'd be quickly moving on people in my office. He certainly was more impressive in his NRL role although I didn't follow that as closely although this is really a battle for control of the peak football competition in Australia, he's used to battling the corporate owners but taking on organised grass roots supporter groups is a whole new paradigm in Australian sports, hardly anyone in any top level sports organisation here would have the experience to do better unfortunately. It seems to be a feature all through world football like the grassroots driven FIFA reform movement and even in the league with the strongest fan culture, the Budesliga.

I also do some radio work (free plug to Radiotherapy on 3RRR - Sundays at 10am), the main thing is that you've either got to know what you are talking about or at least sound like it. Gallop failed on both counts

6 hours ago, Dylan said:

Gallop just ensured that the seperation of the aleague from the FFA is going to happen a lot sooner than the clubs planned

Yes, I'd be very surprised if our owners aren't spending quite a bit of time on the phone at the moment

[jeffplz]

7 minutes ago, belaguttman said:

Yes, I'd be very surprised if our owners aren't spending quite a bit of time on the phone at the moment

What does that even mean? FFA separating from the a league?

[AntiScum]

33 minutes ago, jeffplz said:

anything planned for the derby?

hopefully you guys can get together with the northern terrace and organise something. biggest game to make a point!!

i hope Gallop chokes on his next dumpling!!

Edited December 1, 2015 by AntiScum

[belaguttman]

9 minutes ago, jeffplz said:

What does that even mean? FFA separating from the a league?

Yes, creating an EPL type model here. I'm not sure that the League is financially strong enough though

[thisphantomfortress]

7 minutes ago, jeffplz said:

What does that even mean? FFA separating from the a league?

Well it's no secret how fond of the FFA our CEO is and how the powers that be in Manchester have floated the idea to the other owners before. I've nailed my colours to the mast and hope the CFG bust into this and get that ball rolling.

[belaguttman]

3 minutes ago, AntiScum said:

hopefully you guys can get together with the northern terrace and organise something. biggest game to make a point!!

i hope Gallop chokes on his next dumpling!!

Yes, a united protest would send an extremely clear message and gets lots of media coverage.

We just better liberate a lot of star systems before the FFA Empire sends in the Death Star.

Edited December 1, 2015 by belaguttman

[hakz7]

4 minutes ago, AntiScum said:

hopefully you guys can get together with the northern terrace and organise something. biggest game to make a point!!

i hope Gallop chokes on his next dumpling!!

I'd rather cop 5 goals in a derby again than "get together" with that mob.

[belaguttman]

41 minutes ago, jeffplz said:

anything planned for the derby?

Yes, a march to Gosford

[Jestr]

7 minutes ago, belaguttman said:

 

We just better liberate a lot of star systems before the FFA Empire sends in the Death Star.

FFA can't afford to refuel the death star.

last seen somewhere near new Zealand, hovering over wellington 

[kingofhearts]

52 minutes ago, thisphantomfortress said:

We will not be traveling to Gosford this Thursday as a part of the league wide protests. 

[HEARTinator]

Well I think this article nailed it.

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/opinion-looking-leader-troubled-times#comment_anchor#:RLLPD2sH7YAmZg

 

Opinion: Looking for a leader in troubled times

 

In times of crisis, leaders emerge who inspire, unite and bring change. FFA Chief Executive David Gallop is… not that man.

After possibly the worst 10 days in the FFA’s 11 year history, Gallop faced the press today, and said – nothing.
 
Following the fans’ walkout last weekend over their treatment by police, the media and the FFA - and with the looming threat of a total boycott this weekend – Gallop had the chance to throw his weight behind the legions of loyal supporters that pack stadiums, bring the A-League to life, and provide footage for the TV ads.
 
Instead, he put them back in the crosshairs.
 
The message was all wrong. He opened by reiterating the FFA’s Zero Tolerance Policy and maintained the false narrative of matches being a danger zone by saying the FFA was “protecting” fans from offenders.
 
He insisted the FFA’s secret banning process - where the accused get no chance to defend themselves or see the evidence against them - wouldn’t change… and appeals would still rely on the accused having to prove their own innocence.
 
He stumbled and stuttered under repeated questioning about what that evidence would be, like a man who had amazingly never even considered that question before. 
 
For a former lawyer, the concepts of due process and transparent justice seemed strangely alien to him.
 
And instead of opening fire at those attacking the sport, he meekly implored: “Don't worry about the critics.”

 

In a room full of largely football-friendly journos, it could have been an easy ride for him - hit out at the unfair coverage, highlight how safe it is to go to football and the vast numbers of great fans there each week, and even a vague promise to look into overhauling the banning process might have been enough.
 
Look,  I’ve even written you a sample script, David. It doesn't say much more than you actually said - but it says it in a way fans wanted to hear.
 
“We’ve got the best fans in the world and every code would be grateful for the passion, colour and excitement they create in the stands - yet they have been widely smeared in some parts of the media for the actions of a few, in a deplorable stunt and breach of privacy that we outright condemn.
 
“This week the fans have made clear that there is an issue with the transparency of the banning process, and confusion over the appeal options open to those who come under scrutiny. We recognise that and will try to come up with a system that is more fair and just, while still punishing the guilty in a fit and proper manner.
 
“We have a zero tolerance for offenders who breach the code of conduct but it’s important for us to be seen to be acting fairly and responsibly. It’s vital that offenders are punished, but equally vital that the innocent have effective avenues to clear their name if a rare miscarriage of justice occurs.
 
“We will work with supporters’ groups to develop a new strategy as we are football and the future belongs to us, working together and building the beautiful game towards being number one in this country blah blah Hyundai Fox Sports blah”

 

 
But Gallop wasn't talking to the fans. He was kowtowing to the attack dogs in the media that used to buddy up to him at the NRL. 
 
He was trying to take a strong line that may resonate with corporate sponsors and maybe the many non-football people on the FFA board which he kept promising to run things past.
 
Instead he fuelled the idea of a sport polluted with dangerous elements and simply further alienated the people who pay to walk past countless paramilitary-style cops and be treated like criminals and thugs on the terraces, week after week.
 
Despite the media hype which encourages the police over-reaction, the reality is very very different, as every regular fan knows and the number of parents who take their young kids to games without any fear.
 
Fans and the football community had sent the FFA a very clear message over the last few days, but Gallop and the FFA were not listening.
 
Before he had even finished talking, #StayAtHomeRound and #GallopOut were trending on Twitter.
 
The prospect of games being played in empty stadiums this week is now a genuine possibility.
 
Gallop begged fans to use “the energy” of last weekend’s protests “in a positive way”.  They will. Rivalries have been set aside like never before and a unified boycott of all five games is now being discussed among fan groups.
 

 

If this is the worst week in the A-League, it is merely the culmination of a mounting series of crises to hit the competition this year.
 
Despite the Socceroos’ success in Asia and on the World Cup qualifying trail, it looks increasingly like the A-League has come off the rails and careering out of control.
 
In the space of a year, we’ve endured:

• The car crash that was Newcastle Jets - still unresolved after the sale to Dundee United owner Stephen Thomson apparently fell through
   
• The financial crisis at Brisbane Roar 
   
• The salary cap rort at Perth Glory
   
• The bungled stadium booking for the Grand Final
   
• Price gouging fans for the FFA Cup Final
   
• Matildas going on strike over the CBA
   
• Forcing Ange Postecoglou to retract a non-partisan comment on pay talks
   
• Lack of marquee star quality 
   
• Falling TV ratings
   
• Wellington Phoenix’s future deliberately thrown in doubt
   
• The prospect of a new club in probably the one area no-one wanted one.
   
• And the bizarre situation of the FFA chairman publicly slapping down an A-League coach for speaking out in defence of his club

All this against a backdrop of disquiet over the nepotistic handover of FFA control from Frank Lowy to his son Steven without challenge.
 
The A-League has had some rollercoaster moments in its decade-long existence, but rarely has it felt so broken as it does right now.
 
This is the year the competition needs to be shining bright. Talks are set to begin any day now on the new TV deal… and right now, it’s hard to see why anyone would even pay as much as they did last time round, never mind double, as is the target.
 
These are troubled times. The sport needs a leader. David Gallop had the chance today to stand up and be that man.
 
Sadly, the only time he stood up was to leave the room…

 

Edited December 1, 2015 by HEARTinator

[belaguttman]

2 minutes ago, HEARTinator said:

Sadly, the only time he stood up was to leave the room…

So so true

[hakz7]

Lol no access to evidence but fans must provide evidence.

[belaguttman]

Just now, hakz7 said:

Lol no access to evidence but fans must provide evidence.

A death certificate dated prior to match day.