NEW Years Resolutions?

Never had much time for them myself.

By February your resolve has normally failed, and after all, the new year is only a “new year” for those that follow the Gregorian calendar.

Still, as we live in a country that recognises another solar sojourn at this particular time of year, let’s pay homage in the time-honoured fashion.

A new year wish list for football? Right you are then.

1. GET TOUGH ON TRANSFERS

Jamie Maclaren (L) has yet to agree to a new Brisbane Roar deal. Source: Getty Images

It’s perfectly understandable that club owners want their slice of the pie from the new TV deal (along with Fox Sports, they’ve helped keep the A-League alive), but they could also look after themselves a little better financially, by making smarter use of the transfer market. One way of earning money is by selling players, but as I understand it, many clubs still don’t insist upon vital clauses such as “minimum fee release” or “sell-on fee” being inserted into player contracts. That means top A-League players are at risk of going overseas on the cheap, or even for free. Jamie Maclaren for example, could leave Brisbane Roar for very little financial return in January. When Stefan Mauk departed Adelaide for Nijmegen, the fee was rumoured to be around $400,000. Good money? Not by global standards for an up and coming youngster, who is every chance of developing into a future Socceroo. No-one will ever deny players the opportunity to advance their careers, but Australian clubs need to be properly recompensed.

2. END THE HYSTERIA ON DIVING

Fernando Brandan after a collision with Dino Djulbic. Source: FOX SPORTS

Yes, we’re all irritated by the simulation that has crept into the A-League, and it needs to be eradicated. But I’m equally tired of the moral outrage about “Australian values” on the sporting field. You mean liked sledging opponents about their weight, or their wife? (Cricket), You mean like belting seven bells out of each other, the public, or their girlfriends? (League) You mean like throwing bananas from the stands at black players, or regular run-ins with the law over illicit drugs? (AFL). Well, if those are the values we are aspiring to, then I’ll take the odd bit of simulation thanks. It might be embarrassing and against the rules, but at least it’s not an actual crime.

3. CRITERIA PLEASE

FFA turned down Wanderers’ bid to sign ex-Arsenal star Eduardo. Source: Getty Images

Not just on expansion, but on marquee players too. Quite why it’s taken FFA twelve years to draw up a criteria for clubs wishing to enter the A-League I’m not sure, but the expected announcement in February can’t come soon enough. Equally as important is the need for FFA to play fair by the bidders in it’s aftermath - if a new club can tick all the boxes, then they are in; no grey areas or fine print. Similarly, we need some “metrics” around marquees, because at the moment, what constitutes one is all too arbitrary. Plus, the A-League simply cannot afford to keep letting stars such as Alessandro Diamanti, Frank Lampard and Eduardo slip through the net.

4. FANS UNITE

We have a ridiculous situation in Melbourne at the moment, whereby some former members of the North Terrace are now booing their fellow Victory fans for daring to sing in support of their team! Are they serious? Whatever the politics of the groups disbandment (and for what it’s worth, I think it’s a pity that active group has been lost, though not the minority who saw it as an opportunity to break the law), no fan has the right to tell another how to support his/her team. The NT chose to disband - their choice. Others want to sing and chant. To those narcissistic enough to think it’s all about them, and not the team, here are the four choices. a/ reform your group, b/ join in, c/ shut up, or d/ go home. You’re all on the same side - aren’t you?

5. A DOSE OF REALISM

I’m an employee of Fox Sports, so I may be a little conflicted here - but what’s with the whinging about the TV deal? If someone had said twelve years ago that the A-League would sign a contract worth $346million, you’d have been carted off in a straight jacket. Now apparently, it’s not enough. Based on what? The game can only get what the market is prepared to pay, and as Fox was the only bidder, that’s the figure. With the free-to-air deal yet to come, the game has medium term stability, plus the prospect of greater exposure. Do we want more? Of course - but if you really want to grow the professional game, then turn up to matches, watch on TV, buy merchandise, or memberships. Corporate backing doesn’t just magically appear, and some people’s sense of entitlement is ridiculous, for a sport that still has to fight for every scrap of support in a very hostile market. Just look at the saturation coverage given to cricket - any form of cricket. That’s the reality.

6. NIX NEED A PLAN

Phoenix fans hold a banner during the match against Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

I’ve been one of the strongest supporters of having Wellington Phoenix in the A-League. I think it’s right that Australia (having left Oceania), should act as a good neighbour, and show the sort of generosity the AFC showed to us. But just as we have to watch our step in Asia, so do the ‘Nix in Australia, and I’m sorry, but Mark Bosnich is right when he says that they aren’t offering much at the moment. ‘Nix fans point to the Mariners or the Jets and say, “What about them?” But they are Australian clubs and as Rob Morrison has publicly admitted, the ‘Nix ARE different.

Crowds, memberships, performances all require improvement - and what about creating a buzz around the club by signing a proper marquee? Wellington should be the flag-bearer for New Zealand football but it needs to show a bit of imagination and drive. Additionally, why on earth does the New Zealand FA (along with the OFC) not throw all their collective weight behind the only professional outfit in their country/confederation? It beggars belief.

7. ACTION ON PITCHES

Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers after the Coldplay concert. Source: FOX SPORTS

I’m a fan of Coldplay, but not when they impact on Broichplay. The Suncorp pitch in Brisbane is a cabbage patch, and it won’t be the only one over the next few months as we move into the concert season, and then the crossover with the collision codes. If the pitches aren’t right, then the clubs should get financial reimbursement - otherwise they are, essentially, being charged for faulty goods. Better still, football needs its own stadiums. Impossible? Why? There are plenty of suburban stadiums ripe for redevelopment if the will is there - they don’t all have to be new builds. The biggest games can still be played in the bigger venues.

8. MAKE THE FUTURE ASIA

Carlos Tevez. Source: AP

With China investing billions in the game (the latest big name arrival being Carlos Tevez), is the AFC doing enough to leverage it’s flagship competition, the Asian Champions League? With so many stars coming on board, the time cannot be far off when serious prize money is at stake for clubs competing in the ACL - if it isn’t, then the AFC isn’t doing it’s job properly. Sadly, I fear the slow-moving, ever-conservative confederation remains more concerned with privileges for its VIP’s than actually growing the game for its clubs. With most of them being wealthy Prince’s & Sheikh’s, perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised they cannot fathom the desperate need for that cash among the growing regions of the game - including Australia.

9. FIFA’S BIG IDEA

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. Source: AFP

If Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the FIFA Club World Cup to 32 teams goes through, then point eight makes even more sense. If a longer, richer Club World Cup (with more slots for Asia), becomes reality, the ACL becomes even more important. Guess which country wants to stage more big football tournaments such as the expanded Club World Cup? You guessed it - China. And what is Australia doing to align itself with this jaw-dropping investment in football to the north? We’re sending over two AFL teams to try and promote a code of football they have no understanding of whatsoever. Brilliant.

10. REFLECTION

A new year isn’t only a time to look forward, we should also allow ourselves - occasionally - to look back and admire the view. As a game, football has changed beyond recognition since Frank Lowy took over. In 2003 (when I arrived in Australia), it was in chaos. Tim Cahill could have walked down most high streets and not been recognised. Now, he’s the very public face of an industry worth millions. We’ve still got a long way to go - but we’ve travelled a fair distance over the last decade or so. Happy new year.