John Stensholt - A-League: The Inside Story of the Tumultuous First Decade

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T his book could not have been written without the willingness of well and truly more than a hundred people who agreed to speak with us. The fact that only a couple of people did not respond to our requests shows the generosity of just about all the major figures involved in the A-Leagues first decade players, owners, administrators, commentators, coaches, agents and many others. They all had plenty of stories to tell, and did so without fear or favour.

Though understandably a little wary, many at Football Federation Australia were generous to us with their time: chairman Frank Lowy, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, chief executive David Gallop and A-League head Damien de Bohun. Former FFA chief executive Ben Buckley, who had not given any interviews since leaving the organisation in 2012, was extremely patient and kind, as were other past administrators such as John ONeill and Lyall Gorman.

Current and former owners such as Tony Sage and Clive Palmer also spoke at length about their experiences and were kind hosts, as was Palmers employee Kristian Rees (who played in the first A-League game back in August 2005). Former Sydney FC chairman Walter Bugno and former North Queensland Fury owner Don Matheson spoke at length from overseas. The president of Professional Footballers Australia, Brendan Schwab, was patient and forthright, while Beau Busch and Simon Colosimo from the PFA also assisted. Tony Ising, one of the forgotten heroes of the early days of the league, being the man who came up with the original plan for Melbourne Victory, was an enthusiastic interviewee. Administrators and players from all clubs, past and present, responded promptly and diligently to our interview requests, even at short notice. It is all extremely appreciated. A special thanks, too, to Fox Sports analyst and inaugural A-League Grand Final winner Mark Rudan for writing the foreword.

Australia is blessed with a strong and competitive media covering football, and the countless stories that have charted the leagues first ten years were a valuable resource. Many journalists helped us, but Ray Gatt of the Australian, in particular, was a source of knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement. It would be hard to find a better person in the football media than Ray.

The television coverage of the A-League by Fox Sports and SBS is vital to the game. We thank both broadcasting teams for being so helpful, and we thank their talent for being gracious with their time. A special thanks to those who agreed to be interviewed for the book: Les Murray, Craig Foster, David Zdrilic, Mark Rudan and John Kosmina.

Media reporting leading up to World Cup bid decision, and in the five years since, was also vital to us. The series of articles by crack Fairfax investigative pair Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker was eye-opening, as were the publicly available words written by indefatigable whistleblower Bonita Mersiades.

Where would our knowledge of the game be if not for the tireless dedication of football historians and statisticians? We particularly wish to thank historian Roy Hay and statistician Andrew Howe, not only for their wealth of knowledge but also for their generosity with their time. We are grateful, too, to the team at Ultimate A-League, who have the best online database on the competition.

Thanks to Johns colleague at the Australian Financial Review, Tony Walker, who suggested he contact the brilliant literary agent Margaret Gee who quickly sourced a book deal and provided great support throughout. Publisher Jeanne Ryckmans was enthusiastic about the project from day one, and we are ever so grateful for her backing. Editor Julian Welch was a pillar of strength, diligence and patience. We also thank publicist Imogen Kandel for her tireless energy and enthusiasm in promoting this book.

Books like this dont get written without the kindness, generosity and encouragement of family and friends. Thanks to Johns beloved partner, Kirsty, and their daughter, Klara, for being such a big source of love and strength. Thanks to Johns mother, Judy, the best proofreader around; to his father, Bob, a big supporter at every step of his career; and to the rest of his patient and kind family. Thanks also to Johns long-time football friends: Bill, Scouse Dave, Andrew, Mike and all the boys from the Moreland Reds.

Shaun would like to thank his wife, Carol, for her support and understanding, and especially for taking the children on weekend trips so that he could write in peace and quiet. Shaun also thanks his daughter, Kiara, who showed great fascination in the writing process, and son, Lachlan, who provided inspiration with his ten-part Ronaldo Messi Jnr series. Thanks also to Shauns siblings Renee and Craig for taking the time to proofread the manuscript, and sister Erin and parents Donna and Leo for their great support. A big thanks to the Leopold Method team, who held it all together during the season in Shauns absence. Shaun would like to offer special thanks to his co-author, John Stensholt, not only for coming up with the idea for the book, but also for inviting him to be a part of this special project.

A big thanks to the creators of Twitter. If not for this medium, Shaun would not have met the talented people who have become part of the Leopold Method family. Twitter has become the place where football journalists, bloggers, players, administrators and fans converse with each other without any barriers. Twitter was also where via the privacy of its direct messaging function the conversation for this book started.

THE SAVIOUR RETURNS

I t was the phone call Frank Lowy had been waiting for. And, secretly, one he had been wishing for the best part of 15 years.

There was no mistaking the person on the other end of the line. Prime Minister John Howard spoke eloquently and firmly, and was clear in his intent. Football needed Lowy back in the fold, and a sequence of events had resulted in the path being cleared for the shopping centre billionaire to return to the game he had loved for almost his entire life.

In 2003 football in Australia was on its knees. The National Soccer League (NSL), a league so familiar to Lowy, was teetering on the brink of survival as club after club collapsed. The sport, although booming in terms of junior participation, seemed to have been hamstrung forever by inept administration and warring factions that held football back, preventing it from fulfilling its potential. It might have been the world game, but in Australia football was in danger of becoming a joke, with governing body Soccer Australia virtually insolvent.

By the time the prime minister placed his call to Lowy, following an official letter asking him to lead the repairing of football, events had conspired to ensure Lowy would have the full backing of the sport and the highest office in the land. He would receive a mandate to overhaul the moribund federation in charge of the sport, and $15 million in government grants and loans so he could fulfil his vision.

I resisted all the way until I realised I could tear up the rulebook and start with a new one, says Lowy. When the prime minister asks you to do something, you dont like to refuse.

So it was that Lowy was appointed chairman of Soccer Australia on Saturday, 19 July 2003, at an extraordinary general meeting in Sydney. He would have full control of the organisation, from the choice of board members down. Investing such power in one man was unprecedented. But in truth football had no Plan B. Lowy had to be the saviour, the messiah who would deliver salvation to a football code desperately in need of leadership and vision, and support from the biggest names in politics, business and sport.