At that stage, FFA was running Glory while an owner was being sought. However, Perth coach Ron Smith released the former NSL grand final winner in 2007 not long before he himself parted ways with the troubled club.

"I got asked by Soccer Australia, they're the ones who approached me to come back to Australia, not Perth Glory," Robertson, 31, told au.fourfourtwo.com.

Robertson was tempted back after a good career in the UK at clubs like Burnley, Stockport and St Johnstone.

Prior to that, he'd won an NSL grand final in 2000 with Wollongong Wolves (ironically against Perth Glory) and was a member of the 2000 Olyroos.

"For me to be sitting out of the game is pretty frustrating because there is no point in dragging my family back to the UK again," he said.

"We're settled here but I've had a lot of contact from Asia but if you go to Asia you might as well go back to England."

After a stint in Hungary with FC Sopron in 2007, the 31-year-old midfielder accepted an offer to join Sydney FC on a short term deal at the backend of last season.

By pre-season, and with Mark Bridge, Simon Colosimo and Stu Musialik brought in as the club's major signings, Robertson was once again on the outer.

"Kossie was disappointed to let me go and I was disappointed to leave," added Robertson.

"The whole reason I came back to Australia was to play in the A-League. And I'm a little filthy that I'm not playing in the league."

With just under a year before the two new A-League franchises roll out, opportunities are scarce for the likes of Robertson and others (Ante Milicic, the former Jet and Roar striker is also back in town and club-less).

But Robertson is maintaining hope. There has been some interest from Queensland's new clubs, as well as Asia.

In the meatnime, he has set up his own football academy called Mark Robertson Skilled Coaching Academy (www.mrsoccer.com.au) based in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

"I do want to play in the A-League ...look I'd love to," he said. "My fitness is good and basically I just want to get a chance to get back in.

"You've still got to find 40 or so players for these new clubs coming in to the A-League. You'd still like to think you're in that top 40.

"But I've got good vibes."