EXPANSION.

You’d have to search pretty hard to find a football fan in Australia who doesn’t want it. The reasons are obvious - an overly-familiar 10-team A-League, the need for more pathways for our young players, and the seemingly endless list of those willing to put their hand up to set up new clubs.

Yet while FFA should be applauded for finally grasping the nettle and committing to the concept, many are sceptical - and it’s easy to understand why.

Last week’s announcement came from the same governing body that has been down this road before. In October 2016, Head of the A-League, Greg O’Rourke, announced they were looking to expand to 12 clubs initially, with a view to an eventual 16-team competition.

But only four months later (February 28, 2017), it was off the table. Shortly afterwards (March 5), CEO David Gallop went on radio to explain that the priority had to be a “new operating model, to encourage the type of investment which we need.” He went on to say that “the current model is not going to support expansion - you can say you don’t want to focus on the finances, but that is where the game is at.”

All of which begs the obvious question. What has changed in the twelve months since he made those comments?

The answer, is nothing. We’re in the same TV deal, the same operating model, the same financial situation.

The current A-League clubs see this as opportunism, at a time when the row over the make-up of the FFA Congress remains unresolved. Quite what is taking FIFA so long to hand down their ruling is mystifying - this week marks the sixth week since they (and AFC) departed these shores following their fact-finding mission. A decision on the composition of the working party was promised within a fortnight.

The congress issue is the administrative constipation that is holding back the development of the new A-League operating model - without which, expanding the competition remains (in the words of FFA themselves), nigh-on impossible.

So, what gives?

My esteemed journalistic colleague, Mick Lynch, from the Age in Melbourne, believes it’s a type of “gunboat diplomacy” - a diversionary tactic, aimed at distracting a disgruntled populace, and making them forget their grievances.

He may be right, especially with an election due in November, in which FFA Chairman Steven Lowy seeks a mandate from his constituency (assuming he wishes to continue).

But given FFA has now dangled the carrot of expansion - however belatedly, and for whatever reason - the game is duty bound to grab it. We simply can’t afford not to. I also see it as a win for public opinion, which has for too long, has been ignored.

One of the criteria the electorate must (or at least should) bear in mind in November, is how much inaction there has been around the game in recent years. A state of inertia has existed - in part due to the political logjam - that has allowed other sports to eat into the summer space without much of a response.

The various parties have spent too much time arguing with each other, and not enough acting upon the “Whole of Football” plan (remember that?), which was supposed to be the roadmap to a successful future.

Public interest has waned in tandem, yet the fan base is still there, waiting for a change in circumstance, waiting for their voices to be heard. Signs are that FFA and club owners are finally starting to listen - a further example being FFA’s willingness to try and source “safe pyrotechnics” for those who wish to use them inside stadiums.

Creative solutions to restore some of the games unique atmosphere? Hallelujah!

A further example of the wheels starting to turn came at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night, where a “perfect storm” underlined the potential of the A-League, if it’s done right.

The new owners offered cheap tickets, and free entry for kids. The game (Adelaide v Wellington), was played at a boutique, purpose-built venue, which therefore looked full and had plenty of atmosphere. It was an evening kick off with cool temperatures, and the pitch was good. The Adelaide players - in my opinion - responded in kind.

Provide the right framework, and the fans will return - they are still connected to their A-League club. But they aren’t always listened to, and sadly one of the features of the current administration is that they don’t much care for debate either.

Discussion remains the lifeblood of the game. Varying opinions create interest, and ultimately help form solutions. FFA and some of the clubs won’t admit it, but the recent changes, however small and seemingly illogical in their timing, have been forced upon them, by the sheer weight of public opinion - debate or not. In it’s absence, fans have voted with their feet; the ultimate sanction.

Yet they should be the daily barometer. Football may be a business, but the game itself is not privately owned - it belongs to all of us.

Listen to the stakeholders (including most importantly, the fans), and the game will thrive.

Ignore them, or silence them, at your peril.