Canberra FC applied for entry to the Football NSW competition. It was a grand dream for an ACT Football Club to have, it was achievable and offered so much going forward for a Club that had done it all for the last ten years in the ACT competition. The entry point to NSW Premier League is through admission to NSW State League 2. Then by promotion based on results, you work your way through to the Premier League. CFC have not been granted admission in 2012.
Football NSW have announced the composition of the 2012 competitions and Canberra FC is not included.
It would interesting to know why Canberra FC missed for 2012, but you have to think that the appalling behavior of some their supporters at the Capital Football Grand Final and the disciplinary action that followed, did nothing to recommend them to the Football NSW Board.
The disciplinary action initiated by Capital Football against Canberra FC is still unresolved, and the NPL understands that Capital Football has issued Canberra FC with a new Breach Notice (in place of the original notice), and that the Capital Football Tribunal will convene on on the Canberra FC matter 12 October 2011 (Wednesday this week). Its not clear if action has been taken against the 6-7 players that were positively identified by Capital Football and mentioned in the original breach notice.
The Football NSW Board are under no obligation to explain their decisions to the ACT Football community, but you could understand their reluctance to give the "thumbs up" to Canberra FC while significant disciplinary action is still to be resolved. Football NSW advised the NPL that they had several NSW Clubs also seeking admission to the NSW State League 2 competition. There can be no doubt that the Canberra FC playing roster would give an excellent account of its itself and all things being equal, find its way to the NSW Supa League in quick order. The Canberra FC players are the big losers in this matter and that is a damn shame, disadvantaged by the behavior of some of the Club's supporters.
The troubles with Canberra FC supporters at the Grand Final and the initial action by Capital Football to impose heavy penalties, does not seem to have brought an enormous outpouring of sympathy for Canberra FC. The Club is very upset, no doubt the players are upset and rightly so, but that doesn't translate into wide football community support for their situation. Why should it?
Which is interesting, because Capital Football is not always the most popular party in Football among Clubs and their officials - for both right and wrong. Perhaps football people are just simply disgusted with the behavior of some Canberra FC supporters. Who needs it? No one. Some have pointed out that Canberra FC simply does not represent the ACT Football community and the competition brand name "Capital Football" is something that Capital Football should have reserved for ACT representative teams.
I believe that Canberra FC have paid a heavy price for the disgraceful behavior of a number of their supporters. Their ambition to enter the NSW competition in 2012 is gone. Canberra FC will need to give very careful thought to how they make the next approach to Football NSW and must have Capital Football's unqualified support. As things appear to stand at this time, there is a lot of work to be done all round.
I see little reason to comfort the CFC in relation to the behavior of some of their supporters at the Grand Final. I wonder why they bother to object to being held responsible for the behavior of these supporters. Surely, the Club would be better off without people who behave as these people did that day. Perhaps the Club hierarchy feels they are not responsible for these supporters because, in their view, some were their supporters just for that day and that game. Well, if that proves to be the case, I would imagine that it is a line of argument that would not find much traction with Football NSW. It hasn't with Capital Football and why would the FFA take a different view? That's something for CFC to consider going forward.
So 2012 will see Canberra FC remain in the Capital Football Premier League. On one hand, that's good for the local Premier League. But this is not what the Club had hoped for, however, unless things change, it may be the way it stays.
Below is the Football NSW announcement on the Competitions for 2012 in State League 2:
FOOTBALL NSW LIMITED.
A.B.N. 25 003 215 923
Friday 7 October 2011
DIVISION TWO STATE LEAGUE (MEN)
SEASON 2012
The Board of Directors have determined the composition of the Division Two State League
competition for Season 2012. The Division Two State League will consist of the following:-
Competition Brand Name - Venue
Bathurst 75’ - Alec Lamberton Field
Belmore - Hercules Blick Oval
Fairfield Wanderers FC - Knight Park 4
FC Gazy Lansvale - Cherrybrook Park
Hakoah - Hensley Athletic Field
Hawkesbury City SC - Bensons Lane
Hurstville City Minotaurs - Punchbowl Oval
Luddenham United - Luddenham Oval
Mountains United - Summerhayes Park
Nepean FC - Cook Park (St Marys)
Prospect United - William Lawson Reserve
West City FC - Chopin Park
Important Notices:
Nominated home venues
Consistent with the policy determined for Season 2011 in circumstances where the nominated home
venue is not available, and a State League Division Two Club is unable to supply a substitute ground
which satisfies the criteria, then the match will be set down at the venue of the opposition team and
will still be regarded as a home fixture for the club which is in default.
Teams are accepted subject to meeting all Football NSW requirements and completing the Football
NSW participation agreement.
EDDIE MOORE,
Chief Executive Officer