Perth Glory FC

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Perth Glory FC

Full name

Perth Glory Football Club

Nickname(s)

Glory

Founded

1996

Ground

Members Equity Stadium,
Perth

Capacity

18,450

Chairman

TBD

Manager

Ron Smith

League

A-League

A-League 2006-07

7th





Home colours





Away colours

Perth Glory FC is a football (soccer) club from Perth, Western Australia, based at the Members Equity Stadium, playing in the A-League. It is one of the four clubs in the new competition to have survived from the former National Soccer League. The other three surviving clubs are Adelaide United FC, Newcastle United and New Zealand Knights Football Club (note: Queensland Roar also competed in NSL as the Brisbane Lions SC between 1977 and 1988).

[edit] History

[edit] Football in Perth (1977-1995)

Perth first showed interest in joining the National Soccer League in its inaugural year in 1977. However, a series of logistical problems and financial concerns meant that the league were not keen to include a Western Australian side. While the Western Australian state representative side continued to perform well in National and International cup competitions, the state continued to be unrepresented at a senior club level until 1994.

In 1994, a group of businessmen led by Joe Claudio formed the Perth Kangaroos IFC. The club competed in the 1994 Singapore Premier League along with the Darwin Cubs. At the time, there were visions of establishing an Asia-Pacific Super League which could become a sporting and financial empire in the East. It turned out to be a something of a farce. The Kangaroos finished the league season undefeated and easily won the Singapore league title. However with dwindling support and resources, the experiment proved to be a financial disaster and Perth Kangaroos IFC soon folded.

[edit] Foundation (1995-1998)

In 1995, another consortium led by Nick Tana bid for entry into the National Soccer League. Perth Glory were subsequently licensed for entry into the 1996/7 NSL season. From a relatively unheralded start, the club would develop beyond all expectations and establish the game in a state where Australian rules football dominated and Rugby league was about to fail.

In the first two seasons, coach Gary Marocchi won many fans with his bold attacking style. Initially believed to be nothing more than a token participant, Perth surprised many by only just missing the cut for the finals; finishing 7th and 8th in 1996-97 and 1997-98 respectively. The exciting style of "you score three, we score four" drew fans - including many British expatriates. The atmosphere was such that people attended games for the amusing chants coming from the shed end of the ground as much as the actual game.

[edit] A well-loved coach and heartbreaking failure (1999-2001)

Fan support was consolidated in the era of Bernd Stange. The former East German National coach became a media star, and finally took the team into the competition playoffs. The success of the team created record attendances along with record exposure in the local media. During Stange's reign, Perth Glory competed in its first ever NSL Grand Final in 1999/2000 after having already won the League championship.

The 1999/2000 grand final is remembered as one of the most thrilling matches in NSL history. Earlier in the Championship Playoff series, Perth had narrowly beaten the Wollongong Wolves in a two-legged Major Semi Final - needing a dramatic 80th minute penalty and goal in extra time to advance. In the grand final, Perth again faced Wollongong and led 3-0 at half time against a miserable Wolves outfit; thinking the game was won, Stange substituted key Glory players Scott Miller, Bobby Despotovski and Ivan Ergic. Yet, the Wolves rallied superbly and Perth experienced a series of defensive blunders to be pegged back to 3-3 at full time. Perth subsequently lost on penalties, but this defining moment galvanised the team and would be a motivating force for years to come.

In spite of the loss, the public were very fond of Stange. After a disappointing 2000/01 season, an attempt to replace Stange with Mich d'Avray, his assistant, failed due to supporter pressure. The backlash was so severe, that Tana had to front the crowd prior to a match to announce that Stange would see out the rest of his contract.

[edit] A quiet tactician (2001-2004)

Despite the flair of Stange's reign, it would take the more tactical approach of Mich d'Avray to finally win the NSL Championship. While less flamboyant than his predecessor, d'Avray successfully transformed the team with a different strategy to the previous coaches. The attacking 5-3-2, which saw almost as many goals conceded as scored, was replaced with a 4-4-2. Some may argue that the team began to play a less attractive form of the game, but nobody could argue with the results. In 2001/2, the team nearly went the entire season undefeated. d'Avray delivered Grand Final victories in 2002/3 and 2003/4. In the 2005-06 season he was the Glory's Director of Football but after the club decided to hire the coaching services of Ron Smith and David Mitchell his services where no longer wanted within the club for the 2006-07 season.

[edit] End of the National Soccer League (2003-2004)

It was around 2001 that the league showed signs of significant deterioration. A combination of central mismanagement, conflicts of interest and poor sponsorship would eventually lead to a government enquiry and the removal of the leadership of Soccer Australia. Eventually, the relaunched and renamed Football Federation Australia announced the creation of the A-League for 2005/6. The financial backing and business nous of chairman Nick Tana had ensured the viability and success of the club during the earlier dire times - and ensured it a place in the future of the game in Australia.

[edit] Disarray and turmoil (2005-06)

In 2005, it was announced that former Liverpool and England star Steve McMahon would be appointed as coach. The new season saw a complete overhaul of the playing squad, with Simon Colosimo and former Sunderland and Leeds striker Brian Deane as key signings. Other notable signings included future stars Nick Ward and Billy Celeski.

Early results in friendlies against local opposition were not great, but Perth became the first team to defeat Sydney FC, winning 1-0 in the semi-final of the 2005-06 Pre-season Cup before losing in the final 0-1 to the Central Coast Mariners. Perth's woeful recruiting strategy was soon evident with the early departure of star import Brian Deane after seven games. Another McMahon recruit, Northern Ireland junior international Neil Teggart, quit the club prior to the start of the regular season. Deane was replaced by Damian Mori, a former Perth Glory striker. Originally on a 3-game temporary contract, after some impressive performances Mori stayed for the rest of the season and finished with 7 goals.

However, the club continued to be dogged by problems which would only be later revealed to the public. Steve McMahon was subject to constant media criticism over his coaching style and was accused of nepotism by signing his son, Steve McMahon Jr, who was of questionable talent. Rumours also surfaced that players were planning to stage a revolt against the coach. On December 7, the club reported that the parties had "amicably" chosen to go separate ways.^[1] On December 9, 2005, the club announced that assistant coach Alan Vest would move into the head coach role for the remainder of the season, with striker Damian Mori taking on a dual role as player-coach after being named as his assistant.^[2]

The coach's departure was merely a symptom of deeper troubles. Poor performances saw Perth miss out on qualification for the finals for the first time since 1998. Dwindling support from chairman Nick Tana, as he looked to sell his 75% stake in the club, seemed to underpin a general decline in club fortunes. After the Round 20 match against Sydney FC, Alan Vest hinted that the current player group were incapable of achieving anything better and stated that "cliques" had been formed undermining club harmony. To cap off a bad season, Western QBE announced they were withdrawing as major sponsor after being associated with the club for 8 years.

[edit] Under FFA control, lack of progress (2006-07)

Main article: Perth Glory FC Season 2006-07

In March 2006, Football Federation Australia relieved owner Nick Tana of ownership and management of Perth Glory.

In July 2006, Australian international Stan Lazaridis signed a 2 year deal^[3]. This was quickly followed by the appointment of Ron Smith as head coach and Michelle Phillips as CEO on July 26.^[4] Unfortunately, star youth player Nick Ward did not honour his two year contract and defied the advice of the FFA and left for Queens Park Rangers in England.^[5]In a major bonus for the Glory, long time partner and sponsor Western QBE Insurance gave a show of faith and signed on as the clubs major sponsor in round 18, until the end of the 2007-2008 season. Western QBE had previously been sponsor of the club since 1998, but decided against resigning a deal at the start of the 2006-2007 season, leaving the Glory in a very tough situation- without any sponsor or owners. But in December 2006, signs were shown that owners had been found by the FFA, and so Western QBE decided the future looked Glorious!

[edit] New Hope

The FFA (holders of the Perth Glory licence) announced on February 23, 2007 that the Glory was to be handed over to a triumvirate of owners - Tony Sage, Brett McKeon and John Spence. This announcement ended almost a year of uncertainty. ^[6]

On the 2nd of March, it was announced that former Perth Glory players Anthony Danze and Billy Celeski had rejoined the club, along with new signings Dino Djulbic and AIS graduate Jimmy Downey. It was also announced that Naum Sekulovski had agreed to a new one year deal with the Glory.

On the 21st of March, Perth Glory announced the signing of Perth SC and Young Socceroos Goalkeeper Tando Velaphi. This was followed on the 27th of March with the signing of Nikita Rukavytsya, also from Perth SC, a talented 19-year-old striker that it is hoped can fill in the forward spot vacated by long-serving Bobby Despotovski. These young players are set to add a great amount of depth and aggressiveness to a side that throughout the 2006-07 season lacked a killer-instinct and a will to win at all cost.

Probably the biggest coup for the Glory for the 2007-08 season was the signing of a one-year sponsorship deal with Singapore listed steel manufacturer Delong Holdings, worth $AUD750,000, one of the biggest in the A-League, who will feature on the back of the Glory jersey. On the front of the Glory jersey, long-serving major sponsor Western QBE will feature prominently, another deal worth over $AUD500,000 for one year, with an option of two years after that.

[edit] Colours and badge

Glory's NSL logo (1996-2004)

Perth Glory's home strip is all-purple with orange trim on the sleeves and sides. As with all A-League clubs (excluding Melbourne Victory), the away strip is all-white with the club colours featuring on the sleeves - purple with orange trim.

When Perth Glory was formed - in 1996 - the club felt it important to create a logo and name with no ethnic overtones and which symbolised the rebirth of soccer (football) in Western Australia^{[citation needed]}. It was felt the name Perth Glory had broad appeal and a sense of history. The sunburst in the logo is characteristic of Perth in summer while the orange and purple colours were chosen in contrast to the more traditional combinations.

In 2004 when the A-League was launched, the club decided a new logo was needed for the new era of Perth Glory. The new logo retained the small 'Perth' in an arc above the larger 'Glory', with the letter 'O' still represented by a football. The orange and purple colours still stayed as did the sun rays. The previous logo had been used since the clubs inception in 1996 in the old NSL.

During the FFA's administration of the club, they indicated an openness to changes to the Perth Glory name and colours.^[7] This is not a popular move amongst Glory supporters. ^[8]

[edit] Stadium

Main article: Members Equity Stadium

Glory play their home games at Members Equity Stadium, which can hold just over 17,000 spectators.

[edit] Supporters

[edit] The Shed

The Shed is a covered terrace at the Northern (Pier Street) end of Members Equity Stadium.

The Glory Shed Supporters Club are the only organised Glory supporters group. Members of the GSSC inhabit 'The Shed'. The Glory Shed could be considered an ultras group and are known for their boisterous chanting and general support of the Perth Glory.

The GSSC arranges travel to at least one away game a season known as the 'Tour of Duty.' The Tour of Duty has been conducted since 2000 and has already achieved legendary status. Travelling fans are generally around 100 in number out of a GSSC membership of about 300.

[edit] Gloryboys.net

Gloryboys.net is an independent internet fan news site known for it's outspoken stance on the running of the club that is mainly due to to the fact that the adminstrators of the site are not given handouts by the club. It has been particularly critical of the administration style of the FFA-appointed staff installed after the withdrawal of Nick Tana that has generally lost the website the respect of many fans.^[9]

In the past it has had ongoing feuds with fans of former NSL rivals Melbourne Knights and Sydney United, clubs with significant support from the Croatian community in Australia. The site was also critical of SBS presenter Francis Awaritefe's apparent antipathy toward the Glory.^[10] Gloryboys.net was an accredited media outlet for the 2006 FIFA World Cup but never actually reported on anything that went on at the event despite getting access to the matches.

[edit] Current squad

As at March 3, 2007.

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	Jason Petkovic
3	DF	David Tarka
4	MF	Simon Colosimo
5	DF	Jamie Harnwell (captain)
6	MF	Jeremy Christie
8	MF	David Micevski
11	DF	Stan Lazaridis
12	MF	Leo Bertos

No.	Position	Player
14	DF	Jamie Coyne
15	MF	Blagoja Celeski
19	MF	Naum Sekulovski
20	GK	Aleks Vrteski
?	MF	Anthony Danze
?	DF	Dino Djulbic
?	MF	Jimmy Downey
?	GK	Tando Velaphi
?	GK	Tommi Tomich
?	FW	Nikita Rukavytsya
?	DF	Nikolai Topor-Stanley

[edit] Squad Changes for 2007-08 season

In:

Anthony Danze - From Inglewood United
Blagoja Celeski - From Bulleen Zebras
Dino Djulbic - From South Melbourne FC
Jimmy Downey - From Australian Institute of Sport
Tando Velaphi - From Perth SC
Nikita Rukavytsya - From Perth SC
Nikolai Topor-Stanley - From Sydney FC

Out:

Bobby Despotovski - Retired
Luka Glavas - to Sydney FC
Mark Robertson - Released
Mimi Saric - Released
Adrian Webster - Released
Stuart Young - Released
Ante Kovacevic - Retired

[edit] Managers

Gary Marocchi (1996-99)
Bernd Stange (1999-2001)
Mich d'Avray (2001-04)
Steve McMahon (2005-06)
Ron Smith (2006-present)

[edit] 2006-07

[edit] 2006-07 awards

[edit] Official A-League awards

Fair Play Award
- Perth Glory

[edit] Perth Glory awards

Most Glorious Player (MGP)
- Simon Colosimo & David Tarka
Players' Player of the Year
- David Tarka
Young Player of the Year
- David Tarka
Best Clubman
- Simon Colosimo
Golden Boot
- Jamie Harnwell
Supporters' Player of the Year
- Jamie Harnwell
Volunteers Player of the Year
- Leo Bertos -->

[edit] 2005-06

[edit] 2005-06 awards

[edit] Official A-League awards

Johnny Warren Medal (Players Player of the Year)
- Bobby Despotovski
Rising Star Award (Best U-20 Player)
- Nick Ward (Perth)
Fair Play Award
- Perth Glory

[edit] Perth Glory awards

Most Glorious Player (MGP)
- Bobby Despotovski
Players' Player of the Year
- Bobby Despotovski
Supporters' Player of the Year
- Nick Ward
WA Coach's Award
- Nick Ward
Media Award
- Billy Celeski
Volunteers Player of the Year
- Jason Petkovic
Club Man of the Year
- David Tarka -->

[edit] Perth Glory league history

**Perth Glory League History**
Season	P	W	D	L	F	A	Ladder Position	Teams	Avg crowd	Final Position
2006-07	21	5	5	11	24	30	7th	8	7,671	7th
2005-06	21	8	5	8	34	29	5th	8	9,734	5th
2003-04	24	18	3	3	56	22	1st	13	9,470	1st
2002-03	24	16	2	6	48	22	2nd	13	10,277	1st
2001-02	24	16	7	1	52	23	1st	13	12,832	2nd
2000-01	28	16	7	5	67	33	3rd	15	13,094	5th
1999-00	34	19	7	8	60	42	1st	16	12,001	2nd
1998-99	28	16	5	7	62	37	3rd	15	14,725	3rd
1997-98	26	10	6	10	35	40	8th	14	14,972	8th
1996-97	26	8	5	8	48	41	7th	14	11,909	7th

[edit] Honours

NSL
- Champions (2) (Finals Series Winners): 2003, 2004
- Runners-up (2) (Losing Grand Finalist): 2000, 2002
- Premier (3) (League Winners): 2000, 2002, 2004
A-League Pre-Season Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2005

[edit] Records

(As of 11 May 2005)

Biggest winning margin: Perth Glory 6-0 Canberra Cosmos (3 November 1996)
Biggest losing margin: Parramatta Power 6-0 Perth Glory (2 November 2004)
Undefeated streak: 13 (29 April 2001 - 15 December 2001)
Winning streak: 8 (7 October 2001 - 1 December 2001)
Record attendance during regular season: 18,067 (vs South Melbourne FC - 15 November 1998)
Record attendance during finals: 43,242 (vs Wollongong Wolves - 11 June 2000)
Most matches played for club: 237 Bobby Despotovski