Perth Glory season 2006-07

The Perth Glory finished 7th in the 2006-07 A-League competition making them the worst Australian team in the A-League. The pre-season expectaions of the club was to achieve a higher ladder finish than their 5th place finish in the first A-League season under Steve McMahon.

Under FFA Control, lack of progress

On March 27 2006, the Football Federation of Australia undertook to relieve owner Nick Tana of ownership and management of Perth Glory. David Rodwell, Paul Afkos, David Schrandt, Tom Galopoulos and World Sports Group had all been linked to possible takeovers of Perth Glory. Argentinian legend Gabriel Batistuta, who currently resides in Perth, had been linked to the local consortium headed by Tom Galopoulos. [ [http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,19355029-2762,00.html Tragic shadow of former Glory] DAVID DAVUTOVIC, www.news.com.au, 3 June 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2006.] Unfortunately for the club, the FFA decided that the Galopoulos bid was not financially sound, and the World Sports Group bid was withdrawn. The major sticking point appeared to be Nick Tana's company, Allia Holdings, retaining management of Members Equity Stadium.

In 2006 The West Australian newspaper reported that Tony Sage (a mining magnate) was leading a group that included Brett McKeon and John Spence in discussions with the FFA. However, no deal was made before the end of the 2005-06 season.

After a significant amount of bad publicity, good news finally arrived. Firstly, Australian international Stan Lazaridis signed a 2 year deal [ [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/columns/200608/s1722300.htm?football Perth Glory: welcoming Stan home] Stuart Watt, www.abc.net.au. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2006.] on 5 July 2006 after a free transfer from Birmingham City F.C.. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/5137222.stm Transfers - July 2006] BBC Online, 31 July 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2006.] This was quickly followed by the appointment of Ron Smith as head coach and Michelle Phillips as CEO on July 26 2006. [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374406&cc=3436 Perth Glory name new A-League coach] Tim Clarke, soccernet.espn.go.com, 26 July 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2006.] Other signings included Young Socceroos goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski, Jeremy Christie from the New Zealand Knights, former Stockport player Mark Robertson and Leo Bertos from Conference North team Worksop Town F.C.. Unfortunately, star youth player Nick Ward did not honour his two year contract and defied the advice of the FFA and left for QPR in England. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/5119900.stm Midfielder Ward seals move to QPR] BBC Online, 8 July 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2006.]

Transfers

In

Table

Notes and references