So apparently an ultimatum has been issued to Rovers' management. One week to front up the money or wave goodbye to the A-League.

Now as a fan of Rovers before they have even kicked a ball in anger, let alone sign a coach, players, get a stadium, have an official supporter's name et al, this is an extremely frustrating thing to read.

The Rovers started off with a bang. Within weeks of being granted the licence, a name, badge and colours were announced. If memory serves me correctly these were all announced before Melbourne Heart did it.

We were on course. The west was finally going to get the team they deserved and arguably should have had from the very beginning.

As mentioned in my previous blog, we met Peter Tredinnick in person who was very excited and had a very positive message for us all. Everything was on track, they had a timeline (which was later released to the public) and everything looked good to go for our debut in 2011.

Now we are facing the axe before we even started.

As a born and bred Western Sydneysider this is annoying and frustrating to say the least. It appears to me that Rovers are trying to build the club from the top down (much like the A-League itself). It seems they are trying to get investors on board before engaging the community.

They should have followed the Canberra approach. Get the community onboard, go public with their vision, have a presence at NSWPL games, be visible at certain council festivals (Penrith, Blacktown, Italian Republic Day at Club Marconi etc), get signatures of interest, become a CLUB not just another franchise, the list is endless.

Every week the GWS AFL team is mentioned in the media. The debate is that Western Sydney is an NRL town and will GWS survive? No mention of Rovers. Why? Because no one knows they exist. I'd argue that over 50% of Sydney doesn't even know Sydney FC exist.

I've always maintained that you will really have to try to mess up a Western Sydney Football team. The groundwork is already there. Half the NSWPL come from the area. Some of the most successful NSL teams are from the area. Football fans are aplenty. I can't drive 2km in any direction without coming across a football pitch and hundreds of kids training on weeknights.

Surely it can't be that hard can it?

For me, the problem is Rovers are trying to get investors onboard in a tough saturated Sydney market the wrong way.

"Hey do you want to fund a new A-League team in Sydney?"
"Isn't there already one?"
"Yes, but we are going to be another one, only better!"
"Hows the other one going?"
"Well they averaged 12k last season, won the double, and now are averaging below 10k"
"No thanks"

Would it not have been better to go to investors with something like:

"We are the Sydney Rovers. The real football club of Sydney. We have Sydney United, Marconi Stallions, Blacktown Demons on board as feeder clubs. We have thousands of signatures from the community who are on board and can't wait to see us in the A-League. We are playing out of Parramatta Stadium and figures show that in our first season we will be around the 8k mark of paying memberships. We are going to be a club for the people of Western Sydney. We are aiming to have 80% of the playing roster actually be from this area and truly represent this culture rich population.

How would your company like to be a part of this and invest in our club?"

"Oh yeah, I've seen you in the papers every other week. I've seen your club's presence at the Blacktown City Fair this year, handing out pamphlets. I've been to your website that details your plans and vision and all the pledges from the public to jump on board.

We would be happy to be on board"


Then I wake up.

Seriously, how hard can it be?

If Rovers don't arrive, don't expect all those that left Sydney FC in droves waiting for this team to suddenly return to the Bling. I fear they will just disappear altogether. It's a massive shame and a huge opportunity lost for what the supporters are predicting will be the best football club in the competition in terms of support and culture.

We've all had high hopes for this club, have defended it to no end against the naysayers, have lost our voices already in the stands cheering for them before they even existed.

Don't let this passion die.