Post by SFC on Oct 28, 2004 22:25:17 GMT 10
Still work to do at Sydney FC
AP
Sydney FC's ownership structure is unlikely to be finalised before Monday's launch of the new national soccer competition it hopes to dominate.
But the club says the estimated $6 million it will need for its first year of operation is already in place regardless of who eventually emerges as the other one-quarter shareholder of the franchise.
Australian Soccer Association chairman Frank Lowy's son and Westfield shopping heir David, Sydney property developer Peter Turnbull and Soccer NSW have taken up 25 per cent shares in Sydney FC.
But negotiations are still underway for who will control the other 25 per cent, with Soccer NSW chairman Tom Doumanis saying he hopes that will be sorted out before Monday.
"That's still in the process of being worked out. We hope so (that it will be finalised before Monday), but the capital is there already no matter what," Doumanis said.
Doumanis told AAP on Tuesday Sydney FC would be the competition's glamour club and the others would be "provincials" - a statement which drew an angry response from several of its fellow franchises.
But Doumanis wasn't backing away from his statement.
"We've had so much public recognition of Sydney FC - the soccer membership and general community is now aware of who we are," he said.
"Sydney is the most competitive market in Australia.
"We're competing with six rugby league clubs, the Waratahs, the Sydney Swans - that's the market we're up against and it's important for the competition that Sydney succeeds.
"The more we talk up this competition, the more chance we are of making it successful."
While Sydney FC, Perth Glory, Adelaide United, Queensland Lions, New Zealand Kingz, Newcastle United and Central Coast Mariners have satisfied the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) of their financial standing, Melbourne Victory is still trying to shore up its finances and structure ahead of Monday's launch.
Victory, the preferred Melbourne bidder, needs to satisfy the ASA it is capable of succeeding financially.
It is believed that former Hawthorn AFL president Geoff Lord will run the franchise, while entertainment entrepreneur Glenn Wheatley is also expected to play some role in the Victory.
AP
Sydney FC's ownership structure is unlikely to be finalised before Monday's launch of the new national soccer competition it hopes to dominate.
But the club says the estimated $6 million it will need for its first year of operation is already in place regardless of who eventually emerges as the other one-quarter shareholder of the franchise.
Australian Soccer Association chairman Frank Lowy's son and Westfield shopping heir David, Sydney property developer Peter Turnbull and Soccer NSW have taken up 25 per cent shares in Sydney FC.
But negotiations are still underway for who will control the other 25 per cent, with Soccer NSW chairman Tom Doumanis saying he hopes that will be sorted out before Monday.
"That's still in the process of being worked out. We hope so (that it will be finalised before Monday), but the capital is there already no matter what," Doumanis said.
Doumanis told AAP on Tuesday Sydney FC would be the competition's glamour club and the others would be "provincials" - a statement which drew an angry response from several of its fellow franchises.
But Doumanis wasn't backing away from his statement.
"We've had so much public recognition of Sydney FC - the soccer membership and general community is now aware of who we are," he said.
"Sydney is the most competitive market in Australia.
"We're competing with six rugby league clubs, the Waratahs, the Sydney Swans - that's the market we're up against and it's important for the competition that Sydney succeeds.
"The more we talk up this competition, the more chance we are of making it successful."
While Sydney FC, Perth Glory, Adelaide United, Queensland Lions, New Zealand Kingz, Newcastle United and Central Coast Mariners have satisfied the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) of their financial standing, Melbourne Victory is still trying to shore up its finances and structure ahead of Monday's launch.
Victory, the preferred Melbourne bidder, needs to satisfy the ASA it is capable of succeeding financially.
It is believed that former Hawthorn AFL president Geoff Lord will run the franchise, while entertainment entrepreneur Glenn Wheatley is also expected to play some role in the Victory.
