Passionate fans a good sign

I’m really enjoying being back in the thick of things with the A-League. It’s been a good few weeks, despite two losses amongst the results so far.

When I turned up to take training on 3rd December, it was almost like starting pre-season again.

For whatever reason, the fitness levels of the squad were not up to scratch – especially for the A-League which is a tough, fast competition – and it showed in matches, but I am very encouraged by the response. We have something to build on, and we’ll be more competitive.

One of the things that I’ve really noticed since returning are the fans.

Over the years – both in NSL and in the A-League – crowds have tended to start dipping when results don’t go the team’s way.

The fact that almost 17,000 people turned up last night, and that they were passionate, committed, loud, involved and – for Sydney fans at least – delighted with the result was just fantastic to see. It was the same with the Derby at the previous home game.

I know the players appreciate it, and it was great to see them acknowledge it after the game (there's a photo in my photo album page if you missed it).

Football games are won and lost. Football teams have bad seasons and good seasons. But a true football fan rides out the roller coaster fortunes of their club from week-to-week and season-to-season.

For me, as someone who has been involved in the game professionally for 30 years, this is a sign of the growing maturity of football that there is growing allegiance to ‘your’ team.

Don’t ever stop feeling the passion.

Best wishes for 2013. We’ll be aiming to bring home another win on NYE in Adelaide and Perth a few days later. See you on the 13th January at home.

Frank