After a bumper round of festive fixtures, it’s time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and share wishes for the New Year. How great was it to see almost 26,000 fans pack into AAMI Park for the annual pre-Christmas Melbourne Derby? It was more spiteful than scintillating, despite plenty of goalmouth action. But it was great to see the stands packed once again for a fixture with real meaning. I wish we could see more of it between now and the end of the season. Here are my top five wishes for the New Year:
5. Perth Glory to sort out their ownership issues:
I’ve been a huge fan of Perth Glory since their National Soccer League days. I love their stadium, their ‘West versus the Rest’ attitude, and their ability to put east coast high-flyers in their place. I rate Alen Stajcic as a coach, and I’d love to see the Glory put their ownership issues behind them and emerge as a genuine contender once again.
4. Football in Queensland to find a permanent home:
Football fans have been treated as second-class citizens by the state’s politicians for years now, and that Perry Park should be the home of football in Brisbane. It needs some vision from politicians and a united front to make it happen.
3. The Socceroos to win the Asian Cup in Qatar:
I’d love to see the Socceroos win the Asian Cup against the odds. It would be a great underdog story.
2. Some common sense from the Australian Professional Leagues:
The APL should focus on running the football league, and fans should continue to display even more common sense.
1. Fans to start returning to A-League Men games:
My No.1 Christmas wish is for fans to continue turning up – in Melbourne and Sydney, but also in Brisbane and Perth, and Newcastle and Adelaide and Wellington – to actually support the league. I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Don’t forget to share your wishes in the comments.