The former Northern Ireland youth representative is one of a dwindling number of foundation players in the A-League after arriving in Australia as an unknown in early 2005.

McFlynn signed for Pierre Littbarski's Sydney that year and barely 12 months later held up the golden toilet seat. The midfielder has been a virtual ever-present in a sky blue shirt ever since.

Looking back on the competition's almost five year history, McFlynn says after four seasons stagnation was a major problem - but not now.

"As players you've got more games and more competition. Before when it was eight teams you were sort of playing the same teams and seeing the same faces," he told au.fourfourtwo.com at Wednesday night's Foosball World Cup.

 "It's hard to say what differences there are but I think the inclusion of two new teams and another new team coming in next season and one after that is great for the league.

"It's great for us to be playing different teams and for the fans to see different players. And you look at guys like Robbie Fowler now coming to the A-League, it's fantastic for the league and the league is getting bigger and better in my opinion."

Some have questioned the notion of expanding the league in a difficult economic climate. The inclusion of North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United have been generally successful on the park.

But underwhelming crowds at both new franchises - in particular on the Gold Coast - and generally across the league have cast doubt about the public's appetite for expanding the league.

A case in point is Melbourne Heart who have publicly stated a conservative target of 7000 members for their first foray into the A-League next season. 

However, the FFA is set on a course of further expansion allowing more games and more opportunities for younger players to ply their wares at the highest level.

The expansion also strengthens the governing body's hand when negotiating the all-important TV broadcasting deal - which is up in two years.

As for the differences between the standard of play from season one compared to the current version and McFlynn felt the more professional conditioning of clubs was starting to show through.

"I think a lot of clubs do put more emphasis on fitness now so obviously there is a big aspect of tempo and intensity," said McFlynn.

"It possibly has got faster but there've been teams over the years who've always played a high-tempo game. Each club approaches things differently but as a whole I wouldn't say it's got faster."

McFlynn joined his FC teammates John Aloisi, Stevie Corica and Alex Brosque at the first official FourFourTwo Fussball World Cup at Star City on Wednesday night.

The Irishman backed the concept as a unique way for football to promote itself in Australia's crowded sports market - particularly with celebrities such as Annalise Braakensiek, Benny Elias and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor on hand to lend support.  

"Any involvement for our game is good and to see such a good turnout and a replica of the World Cup within touching distance of everyone is great for the game," he said.

McFlynn's Sydney play Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday in a crucial clash for top six places. Sydney sit third two points off the top two. In-form Glory are fourth on the ladder but six points shy of the sky blues.

And with Daniel McBreen and Andrija Jukic as well as promoted striker Branko Jelic in their squad, they'll have the firepower to trouble the home side.

What's more, it's a ground with special meaning for the club. It was at Parramatta Stadium in April 2004 that the purple shirts triumphed in the final NSL grand final with a 1-0 win over Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton's Parramatta Power.

However, McFlynn believed that even if the sky blues were to finish in third it was still possible to win the golden toilet seat - it would just require a different mindset.

He added: "If that happened [finishing third] every game becomes like a Cup final - you've just got to approach it with that mentality."

Head to www.sydneyfc.com for ticketing, transport and match details of the Parramatta Stadium clash.