I grew up in a family with no interest in sport whatever, and only really started watching football at the World Cup. Naturally, I fell in love with the Roos. It was a journey from there to club football, though, and being as I didn’t have a whole lot of money I mostly watched SBS. Living in Perth I attended a Glory game, against the New Zealand Knights, a team even Perth with Stuart Young up front could beat. It wasn’t very good, and at the time I couldn’t afford to do it regularly. Now I live in rural Tasmania and have even less opportunity to attend matches, but I still (loosely) support the Glory and still catch all the football on free TV.

Along the way I somehow became a diehard Lyon supporter (I think it was the Trophée des Championes match I watched; beautiful football) but even there I can’t stake a claim to the “your club, your support” kind of thing Rory mentioned above. But on the other hand I don’t think I’m a “****ing Euro-snob”.

I’m not saying all this to argue that there aren’t people who could attend A-league matches and don’t, and that it wouldn’t be great if they do. (Heaven knows there’s a big enough population in Sydney and Melbourne.) I just think there are other points of view sometimes.

I definitely won’t disagree with you on that comment, Villa has been ridiculously loyal even after all those transfer rumours and offers.

And Rory, I can’t agree with you more. Far too many bandwagoners who couldn’t give two shits about the local football in Australia and won’t even sacrifice $10-20 to go to a match, while they will spend $55 a month minimum to watch the premier league etc on Foxtel.

You’re a Valencianista too? You’re like the only other person in Australia I have known of that supports Valencia. Haha, awesome.

Sam – I understand your issue and I’m very annoyed with the situation in Canada however the MLS is not “poor” quality, it is merely going through a transitional period where it doesn’t know whether to reflect international play or utilize regional players. It’s a perplexing problem and one that isn’t easily answered because I appreciate regional club-based teams but many don’t. However as it relates to Canada, not many realize it but with a few changes you could have the top team in CONCACAF but unfortunately many players choose to not play for Canada and select “adopted” nations. It is actually quite foul and it has a long term impact upon the sport development in the country.

However in reading comments, anyone who thinks so badly of the A-League, likely doesn’t know their Football and I doubt they ever stepped on the pitch. It’s an emerging force in the game and the ‘Roos have proven it. I’ve written about the development of the sport in Australia and its on the verge of another breakthrough in my opinion.

Daniel, you have my email address – drop me a line if you wish.

I frequently podcast worldsoccerdaily so ive pritty much got all the run down bout the “joke” that is MLS and the Beckham fiasco.

Steven on WSD summed it up brilliantly for those interested in wanting to choose a club in any league in the world. Its about watching a game and feeling a certain real emotion inside yourself thats willing that team to win, it could be anything that creates that feeling, a certain style of play, the passion the players have etc. That should be the thing that helps you to choose a team. If that end up being Man utd/chelsea/milan etc then so be it but at least you havnt chosen the team because they’re a part of the big 4.

btw i support Juventus since i was a boy in italy, everton in the epl and Valencia in spain

Plus, I agree 100% that you can’t jump on the bandwagon and declare yourself a ________ fan because they win the champions league, but how do you swear alliegeance to a franchise that won a lottery to serve as an expansion team in the top league? you can’t!

It’s really just frustrating, having to endure the scene in Canada, which is why I myself follow European football. And by the way, I’m a Spurs supporter.

I must admit, i do shudder when i saw some of the A-League defenses be ripped apart last week but without our continued support it will continually happen.

These people are used to the quick fix, hence the reason they have chosen the big clubs in Europe to support. They have no idea what it is like to support a Portsmouth or an Everton who have no chance to win the league but fight hard to avoid relegation and win a Euro spot. At times thats what football is all about.

I continue to support the game in Australia because i love football and i would love to see it improve in this country. I dont think that it will be a top league in my lifetime but being able to go to a high quality stadium to watch my team play against an interstate rival is what i love.

We need people to criticize the technical aspect of Aussie football but only constructively. If otherwise i think its best these ignorant people stay at home

These people shit me. Honestly, they don’t know what football is. It’s not the Big Four (soon to be the five). It’s not about trying to be worldly, and showing how European you are. Hell, it’s not even about having the greatest quality strikers, wingers, midfielders and backs playing the most beautiful football ever (although that is nice). It’s about the club, your support. It’s about your support to your local club. Because that (you fucking Euro-snobs who will always live in Australia, deal with it) is the best football you will get, week in, week out