We Are The Reds

Looking forward to this.

Entertaining end to the Rockdale Victory game, shame about Metrostars. If we beat Victory we should go all the way.

Quarter-Finals

Matchday 1 (22 September):
Tards vs AU
Hume City vs Oakleigh Cannons

Matchday 2 (29 September):
Heildelberg United vs The spawn of Oil Tycoons
Perth Glory vs WSW

Hopefully we can make sure there is only 2 Vic teams in the semi finals.

Heidelberg United FC are pleased to announce Greece international midfielder Kostas Katsouranis will join the club for its upcoming Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final against Melbourne City FC.

Read more at http://www.theffacup.com.au/article/gre ... vDcfrjr.99

Wow huge news!

Right. So now rich clubs will try to buy the FFA Cup (hey, it works in the NPL, why not the Cup as well). Guess I should have known better but no, this is not great news. If they can't win with their normal squad they don't deserve to.

Right. So now rich clubs will try to buy the FFA Cup (hey, it works in the NPL, why not the Cup as well). Guess I should have known better but no, this is not great news. If they can't win with their normal squad they don't deserve to.

I don't see how getting one old player with pedigree to play one match that isn't even the final, will supposedly "buy the FFA cup".

They will mostly get kicked out by City anyway. So whats the problem with an NPL club trying to bring in maybe a few more through the turnstiles with a marquee guest player? Because thats the largest benefit for NPL clubs in the first place, no? Getting a large crowd in to put some money back in the clubs coffers?

Good on them I say, hopefully a big crpwd will rock up

Extrapolate mate. Don't think of this as a one off, think of what it says for the future. Of course, the A-league itself is still a level playing field in terms of money spent on players... For that matter, the NPL is too, this year's champions not to mention a couple of other clubs got there without spending heaps on players. Goodness, even the SL was immune to this syndrome (that's right, Cumberland were easily as strong in 2014 as they were in 2015).

I'm sorry you can't see the point. I'll put it simply. Buying stars, old or current, does NOT improve the competition and that thought works at all levels.

Extrapolate mate. Don't think of this as a one off, think of what it says for the future. Of course, the A-league itself is still a level playing field in terms of money spent on players... For that matter, the NPL is too, this year's champions not to mention a couple of other clubs got there without spending heaps on players. Goodness, even the SL was immune to this syndrome (that's right, Cumberland were easily as strong in 2014 as they were in 2015).

I'm sorry you can't see the point. I'll put it simply. Buying stars, old or current, does NOT improve the competition and that thought works at all levels.

True, but there is also the marketing to think of.
If the club is doing this once off and not at the expense of developing their existing squad I say why not?
See what ADP did for crowds everywhere he went.
This may be the same for Heidelberg.
If the club can afford to fork out for a bit of a luxury item such as this and it attracts a larger number of fans surely that's nothing but a good thing.

IMO it also really highlights that there is a large amount of money and sponsorship earning potential outside the HAL.
I think the FFA needs to stop ignoring that there are some existing clubs out there, that with a little assistance could become a HAL club.

I dont see the problem, this sort of thing went on in the nsl and currently many international players have short stints with npl clubs to get the attention of the aleague.

If money could buy the cup then south melbourne and sydney united would be the final 2 npl clubs every season.

Yeah, you're right. I'm just pissed off by watching a clubs I know try to buy their way to success at the expense of players and volunteers who've put years into the club, often people who would have made the next step if a coach and/or a committee had given them the chance and the support.

Anyone ever wondered why WA are a top NPL team here, but their reserves are shit? Money.

Arr, enough from me. I've seen too many clubs over a number of sports/interests ruined by a few committee members who value bling over substance to have any respect for it at any level.

Melbourne derby in the final ? Looks possible

Hope so. And then it will be melb city home game and the tards will moan they havent had enough home games

Melbourne derby at Etihad would be epic. City to win would be great as well. It would add a lot of fuel to the rivalry.

Although it would be nice with the draw how it is for an NPL club to make the final soon.

National Premier League Victoria club Hume City, who will host A-League champions Melbourne Victory in a cup semi-final on October 28, are deep in negotiations to sign one of Ronaldinho, Arda Turan, David Trezeguet or Giorgios Karagounis as a guest player.

Read more at http://www.zerostriker.com/hume-city-ch ... GZSGv2m.99

Now that would make playing at Etihad worth it!
I really feel like this might be the wake up call the FFA needs to see that if clubs can pull off things like this then they would be a welcome addition to the HAL with their salary cap covered by Fox.

A Melbourne derby final would be huge for the FFA cup.