It was good to see Perth Glory release their pre-season fixtures nice and early this year. For those of you who have missed them we have listed them again below:
- 17/18 July – Local Friendly (6PR Stadium, Inglewood)
- 24/7 – Amazulu (South Africa)
- 29/7 – Platinum All Stars (South Africa)
- 01/08 – Bidvest Wits (South Africa)
- 21/08 – WA State Team (6PR Stadium,Inglewood)
- 25/08 – Internal Club Charity Game (Carnarvon)
- 05/09 – Inglewood United (6PR Stadium, Inglewood)
- 12/09 – WA State Team (6PR Stadium, Inglewood)
- 19/09 – InterState A League game (TBC)
- 22/09 – Melbourne Heart (Melbourne)
- 26/09 – Local Friendly (6PR Stadium, Inglewood)
Last season the trip to South Africa appeared to pay dividends as the new players were able to bond with their new team mates on and off the pitch with no outward distractions, and it is good to see that this is being repeated this year. if it has the same result at the end of the season every9one will be happy
The only thing that is a little disappointing is that all of the games are going to be played at Inglewood United. Not The Footy Show is well aware that Perth Glory has invested in Inglewood United, and this will be a venue where they hope that Glory fans will congregate for away games during the season- there is no doubt that the club needed such a venue- so it makes perfect sense, but it is still disappointing.
The state league clubs are currently all doing it tough financially, and although the club is not likely to sign any more players from the State League for this season, they have signed Brandon O’Neill who was at ECU Joondalup and Ndumba Makeche who was with Stirling Lions and Inglewood United. It would be nice to see the club take these games to some of the state league grounds and try to build relationships with the local clubs, which in turn will possibly help the Glory increase their average gates at home.
It does make sense why this decision has been made, but it is just sad that a chance to work with the local league clubs has been missed.
One fixture that would have undoubtedly drawn a great deal of interest would have been one between Perth Glory and Perth Glory’s Youth team. It would have given all concerned a true indication as to where the younger boys are in their development, and whether they are ready to step up.
