Not to be a debbie downer, and as a guy who has followed the game here for 35 to 40 years (ASL, old NASL, A League, MLS, USL, etc), if I was forced to bet the farm... ...Kenn's probably right. Honest post by the previous poster. I've seen what you have described dozens of times, at all levels, over the years. It is what it is.
I would like to see a FCE thread on BS..but the present Dutch coach I hope is just an interim one..with the ownership group already having put in 2 million +, I dont think the sky will fall in as quickly as earlier predicted. FCE are basically a semi-pro/amateur side that came out of the blocks really wellin the NASL...all teams have poor spells and better in the start of the season than the end..they have alot to learn but I dont see too many other cities or millionaires putting up their $$ to develop a franchise..good one Fath's. Foote field sucks but for now will do..barely..time will tell..if they can average good crowds, build or revamp a stadium, FCE will fly and dont be surprised they apply for MLS in next few years. Million plus live in the Metro region, have the stadium already and would not be surprised to see 20,000 season ticket holdrs if they did join MLS.
So when is the other shoes going to fall off???? 2700 at first home game, 6000 at TFC game..not bad for a failing franchise....I think they have a trong marketing plan and will do well with strong support and continued investment..how many other cities would love this in an ownership group?
Don't trust what Barnes has to say, he has a long record of being negative and an ass when it comes to reporting truths...
Love the enthusiasm Nehiyaw. I don't live in Edmonton or really know much about the soccer scene there other than I watched my Strikers take on the Edmonton Drillers once as a kid. LOL After Atlanta had such good turnouts for their first three home games, I was glad to see Edmonton do nearly as well. Hopefully they can even bump up the numbers a bit as the temps warm up. Seems to me the biggest issue for this team, what could ultimately be what enables them to flourish or fade away is having a proper stadium to play in that the team controls. Of course you can say that about pro soccer in general, so it's not a surprise. But you're definitely in a good spot ownership wise it seems.
This is true...if Vancouver paid 15 million canuck for their 27500 temporary stadium, how much would a 5-10000 seat stadium like that cost. Looks like a good deal for being temporary. Either that or redevelop Clarke Stadium back into a football park or redevelop Telus(Ducey) field..baseball is no longer one of the top sports in the city like it was with the Trappers. Foote field is owned by the U of A and is really for University football...leave it at that. Either that or Fath's purchase their own land and bring in a temp stadium or build a permananent one. If they go MLS, then Commonwealth is there and easily could handle large crowds. They would challenge Seattle for highest attendance if that were to happen. So contrary to what some ppl think, the game is alive and doing well in the City of Champions...give them time..if they are operational next year I expect them to be leading the pack in NASL and in how football clubs are grown and managed. TFC are just revenue for MLSE and not a priority. FCE is a stand alone venture and will go along ways if they continue to work with what is available to them..good job so far.
