A guide to the new A-League season

There’s a number of County fans in Australia, and one of them joins us today to give us the lowdown ahead of the new campaign which kicks off next Friday

Oct 11, 2024

Friday 11 October 2024

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Strap yourselves in for a long journey, folks, because today on The Scarf My Father Wore we’re heading to the place ranked third in terms of our subscriber numbers: Australia.

There’s a handful of County fans based down under, including Mike Wilson, who was born and raised in Hazel Grove before moving to Australia in the late 70s. The new season over there kicks off next Friday, and Mike’s put pen to paper on all 13 teams taking part.

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Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,027

Total completed streets so far: 399 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Central Coast Mariners

Defending champions and a team it's hard to hate, as they’re everything a community based club should be. Their local derby is the Jets, and Mariners are way ahead in recent games. Smallest budget, small following but well run and effective. Probably the team to beat, again. No real weaknesses. Bastards.

A bit like: Leicester, or Blackburn of a few years ago. A little engine but capable of making a lot of noise.

Newcastle Jets

My local club and in a ‘rebuilding’ phase, yet again. Jets live in the shadow of Mariners on the football pitch and Newcastle Knights (rugby) in the sponsorship stakes. The club has new owners this year having been stony broke and in danger of folding. Some decent signings, so mid-table is a hope.

A bit like: Probably Chesterfield. Just unlucky. Bad refereeing decisions cost us badly.

Brisbane Roar

Nick's team. Another club living in the shade of rugby like Newcastle. Brisbane have ex-Jet Ruben Zadkovich as coach, and I rate him highly. Can't say as much for the players though. They used to be good, but not so much these days. Bottom third unless Ruben has a few aces up his sleeve.

A bit like: Birmingham or Bolton. Used to be important, but not these days.

Sydney

Too fucking arrogant to have a second name, they’re just Sydney. My mum said if you can't say something nice, don't say anything. Sorry mum, but this arrogant bunch of wankers is the one team we all want to beat. As unlovable as most Premier League clubs in England. Probably semi-finals. Bastards.

A bit like: Man United. They think the world owes them.

Adam Le Fondre was a title winner in Australia with Sydney

Western Sydney Wanderers

Set up to create a rivalry with Sydney – so yes, totally manufactured – they’ve come good. Western Sydney is the multicultural heart of Sydney and Wanderers go out of their way to acknowledge that. Respect. A bit annoying though. Top half.

A bit like: Brighton vibes. You always seem to wonder what they’re doing so far up the ladder.

Macarthur

Formed and foisted on the A-League a couple of years ago as a 'broaden the market’ exercise, the Bulls have no real reason to exist. The initial interest has died, so I don't expect much. Bottom third.

A bit like: Port Vale. Gritty but unlovely.

Melbourne Victory

Melbourne, like Sydney, has three teams. And like Sydney clubs they all seem to get the 50-50 calls in their favour against the regional teams. Victory is the original powerhouse, now dimmed quite a bit. Can’t be shit forever so I’ll say top half.

A bit like: Arsenal. Nearly, but not quite.

Melbourne City

City is a franchise of some Middle Eastern money laundering outfit. They’ll do well as they have money to burn.

A bit like: Man City, obviously. More money than sense.

Western United

Western United is like Macquarie, totally artificial. They’re trying to create an identity out in the suburbs, but as Australian Rules is the game down that way, they’re destined to struggle unless someone throws crazy money at them. Bottom few.

A bit like: They remind me of MK Dons. Trying hard to establish a case to exist against all the evidence.

Adelaide United

Ev’s team. Must be the most frustrating team in the league. They keep building a decent squad then most of them leave to go overseas and it's back to the kids again. Impressive production line of young players, mind you. Always hovering in the ‘potential’ class, seldom make the last hurdle. Top eight again. I just can't like a team called United that plays in red, sorry.

A bit like: Spurs. I'll just leave that there.

Perth Glory

Wes's team. Yeah, good luck. Underwhelming most of the time. Had serious financial problems with dodgy owners but probably stable for a few months now. Can't say they excite me that much. Always seem to win in Newcastle for some reason. Bottom half.

A bit like: They’ve got a bit of Reading in them. Can’t catch a break and usually struggling.

Auckland

New Zealand has two teams in the expanded A-League this year: Auckland and Wellington Phoenix. Auckland are new; it’s their first season so no idea what to expect, other than games played in a mainly empty stadium that holds 35,000. Will be lucky to make the top half.

A bit like: New kids on the block, so Bromley or anyone else who’s been promoted into the Football League for the first time recently.

Wellington Phoenix

Phoenix are triers. Another club I have a lot of respect for. During Covid they played all their games in Australia which is a big ask on the players to live overseas for six months just to earn a living. Top few, as ever.

A bit like: Norwich, maybe? You don't dislike them, but it’s hard to warm to them.

Is the A-League worthwhile? Not sure. Probably around League One standard but with some clearly standout players capable of playing at a higher level that regularly do so. Always destined to be the third biggest football code and the sort of support and funding that represents. Big at grassroots and with ethnic communities – we have plenty of those. Huge disconnect between club and country as most international players are based overseas.

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Photo of the day

Phil Jevons (who finished his career at County in 2013-14, scoring 21 goals) celebrates his 120th minute winner at Anfield in October 2001, which gave Grimsby a famous 2-1 win against Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Joker: Folie à Deux (15) at 6pm and 8.45pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJ

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have their resident DJ playing on a Friday night, with Dicko (Ian Dickinson) on from 8pm till 1am.

🍺 Food and drink

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as AMP (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

🎤 Karaoke

The Alexandra (SK3).

🎵 Live music

Off The Record at The Crown (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#24 – Simon Grayson, Aston Villa

Simon Grayson started his career at Leeds, before moving to Leicester – where he twice won promotion to the Premier League – and then Blackburn. Whilst at Ewood Park, he was sent on loan to County during the second half of the 2000-01 season, making 14 appearances.