Jason Davidson - Perth Glory FC.

[mickd1961]

I’m planning to watch the ex Baggie play for top Aussie “A” League side Perth Glory tomorrow night.

Aussie football is dire from what I’ve seen on TV but I wanted to give a shout out to our former player.

[Bunburybaggie]

Hi Mickd,
I am a WBA and Perth Glory fan!

[Bunburybaggie]

I won’t be at the game you are going to, but I am planning to be at next Saturday’s home game if you are still around.

[mickd1961]

I won’t be at the game you are going to, but I am planning to be at next Saturday’s home game if you are still around.

Gudday Bunbury.

Unfortunately I go home late on Tuesday mate so tonight is the only chance I’ll get to see Perth until I return next year.

I may arrive a bit after kick off as our ferry from Fremantle isn’t due back until 5pm so can you offer some advice please.

Is it easy to get a taxi from Elizabeth Quay to the ground or is it best to walk?

Will ticket sales still be working after kick off and which part of the ground is best to be in amongst the noisy and knowledgeable locals?

Hope to meet up with you in February 2020.

[Bunburybaggie]

Gudday Bunbury.

Unfortunately I go home late on Tuesday mate so tonight is the only chance I’ll get to see Perth until I return next year.

I may arrive a bit after kick off as our ferry from Fremantle isn’t due back until 5pm so can you offer some advice please.

Is it easy to get a taxi from Elizabeth Quay to the ground or is it best to walk?

Will ticket sales still be working after kick off and which part of the ground is best to be in amongst the noisy and knowledgeable locals?

Hope to meet up with you in February 2020.

Hi Mickd,
Quickest would be taxi or Uber all the way, but there is also train or bus to near Elizabeth Quays and a free bus round the city. It will take a bit of time to walk from the Quays to the ground.
It will cost $35 for GA, or $31 if you say you are a senior. If you want to go with the noisy fans behind the goal, you need to ask for a ticket for the shed. Don’t sit in the Big new stand unless you want the sun in your face. I usually go in the corner near the big screen with the sun behind you, and move to the big stand for a better view when the sun is down. There will be about 10,000 there in a 20,000 capacity ground. I would assume you can buy a ticket after kick off.
As I live in Bunbury, 2 hrs south, I don’t go to all the games. I used to go more when Glory were the powerhouse in the old NSL, but since the A league they have underperformed for various reasons, although this may be the season that they break a duck after 15 years.
By the way I have followed WBA since 1968, even went to Birmingham university partly to watch them (1970-73), before I left the UK permanently. Used to be able to watch baggies on Foxtel and then Optus till they got relegated last season. I have tried Ifollow but can’t seem to get it to work.
Be interested to see how you find the game, I have been to two matches so far this season, both had plenty of goals and interest, especially the last one where they were 3-1 down with 15 mins to go and won 4-3!
Cheers
Andrew

[mickd1961]

Hi Mickd,
Quickest would be taxi or Uber all the way, but there is also train or bus to near Elizabeth Quays and a free bus round the city. It will take a bit of time to walk from the Quays to the ground.
It will cost $35 for GA, or $31 if you say you are a senior. If you want to go with the noisy fans behind the goal, you need to ask for a ticket for the shed. Don’t sit in the Big new stand unless you want the sun in your face. I usually go in the corner near the big screen with the sun behind you, and move to the big stand for a better view when the sun is down. There will be about 10,000 there in a 20,000 capacity ground. I would assume you can buy a ticket after kick off.
As I live in Bunbury, 2 hrs south, I don’t go to all the games. I used to go more when Glory were the powerhouse in the old NSL, but since the A league they have underperformed for various reasons, although this may be the season that they break a duck after 15 years.
By the way I have followed WBA since 1968, even went to Birmingham university partly to watch them (1970-73), before I left the UK permanently. Used to be able to watch baggies on Foxtel and then Optus till they got relegated last season. I have tried Ifollow but can’t seem to get it to work.
Be interested to see how you find the game, I have been to two matches so far this season, both had plenty of goals and interest, especially the last one where they were 3-1 down with 15 mins to go and won 4-3!
Cheers
Andrew

I’m staying at the Pan Pacific hotel Andrew so I believe I’m within a 15 minute walk of the stadium from there?

Cheers for all the advice mate and look out for a post aimed at you next January when I’m plannning my match visit next season.

I would’ve been going to the cricket tomorrow night but it clashes with the Phil Collins concert which is a bummer!

Thanks again,

Mick.

[Bunburybaggie]

I’m staying at the Pan Pacific hotel Andrew so I believe I’m within a 15 minute walk of the stadium from there?

Cheers for all the advice mate and look out for a post aimed at you next January when I’m plannning my match visit next season.

I would’ve been going to the cricket tomorrow night but it clashes with the Phil Collins concert which is a bummer!

Thanks again,

Mick.

No worries Mick,
It’s going to be hot at 5pm, one reason I’m not going, the other is I’m going to a concert tonight down South tonight at Leeuwin Estate winery (john Butler / Missy Higgins). Next Saturday’s game ko is a much better 7pm.
Glory have a pretty good team and probably the best manager in the league this season, that’s why they are top. Look out for Castro, by far the most skilful player, if a bit old, Keough a good goal scorer, and of course Jason. Unfortunately Ikonomidis has been playing for the Socceroos in the AFC, as he is also very good. I don’t think he will be back in time.

[mickd1961]

I went to the match Andrew.

A very strange affair!

I was excluded from The shed initially because apparently it costs more to stand with the louts than sit at that ground!?

Luckily an ex pat got me in with his members pass.

I found the atmosphere strange,almost contrived if I’m honest.

The passion of the English game and fan was missing and the effect of zero away fans was palpable,the 5000 mile journey must’ve put them off :-))

There seemed to be a lack of understanding of the game and tactics as well?

To me it seemed like more of a social event and a chance to meet up and drink with friends with the football a bit of an aside!?

Excellent facilities and stuff for kids to do though and certainly the way to grow the game in the coming years.

Castro was the best player on the pitch followed by Keogh which pretty much sums up the standard I’m afraid.

I watch non league football in the U.K. and this really isn’t much better bar the player fitness out here.

Perth will now be my Aussie team,it was a pleasant experience but not earth shattering for me.

See you next season and if you’re over at West Brom anytime let me know?

See you in Perth Feb 2020.

[Bunburybaggie]

Hi Mick,
Well, at least you found it interesting.
Football in Australia has lots of challenges, which you may or may not be aware of, they include:
Competing with AFL, NRL, and to a lesser extent rugby from a relatively small population base, hence the summer playing season, where it is only up against cricket
Vested commercial interests (TV, radio and newspapers) in promoting AFL and NRL with biased reporting over “soccer” despite it being the most popular sport at junior level.
Previous ethnic issues, which have now gone with the A league
Current A league limited to only ten clubs with no relegation / promotion (expanding by one club next season and another the year after) and promotion/ relegation from / to semi professional state leagues being considered.
Huge distances (Perth Glory verses Wellington Phoenix NZ) the worlds longest away game.
Infighting in recent years at board FFA governance level which caused FIFA to step in to solve.
Anyway at least Glory had a win and gained another fan sort of!
Have a safe trip back to UK
Do you think WBA will get back up this season?
Cheers
Andrew

[mickd1961]

Hi Andrew,

I’m less qualified to comment on Albion as I’ve stopped attending after 46 years as I’m so p I s s e d off with the new owner and the drop from the Premier League.

I’ve watched us at lower levels and been passionate about them since the early 70’s but Pulis and last season killed me.

From what I have seen I think we are poor and I don’t expect promotion this season.

Watching Perth made me laugh,the comments made by grown blokes were often as informed as those of my wife on football.

There’s a long way to go in Oz :-))