22/7/23
A-League club Perth Glory have announced in the last couple of hours that long-time owner Tony Sage has stepped down, with the APL taking over the reins in the interim period until the club can be sold.
In a statement released just over two hours ago, signed ‘Sagey’, the former owner spoke of his deep love for the club, but also highlighted the significant financial challenges that the club has faced as a result of the COVID pandemic and subsequent move away from HBF Park for the men’s side last season to allow for renovations for the current Women’s World Cup further hitting club revenue.
“As owner of the club for the past 17 years, I can say in all honesty that it has taken a huge emotional, financial, and time commitment on my family’s part to sustain it and ensure that Perth and Western Australia continues to be represented at the elite level of Australian football.
“In total, my family has invested millions into the club to put competitive Men’s, Women’s and Youth teams on the pitch to represent this great club and our state and provide a genuine football pathway for all aspiring WA footballers.
“This investment was increased greatly and unsustainably by the impact of COVID-19 which decimated the club’s income streams and then further compounded by our forced relocation from HBF Park last season for 10 of 13 home games while upgrades were made to enable the stadium to host upcoming matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We are still in talks about compensation with the WA Government and trust they see the financial damage the relocation caused the club, especially after the two COVID-ravaged seasons.
“The culmination of these events and the damage they caused has made it all but impossible for us to continue financing the club and led directly to the position we find ourselves in today.
“It is with profound sadness that I can confirm my decision to step down as owner of this wonderful football club which is so close to my heart and will always remain so. I have often referred to Perth Glory as my fourth child and that provides an insight into just how profoundly difficult it is for me to step away.
“However, I have always maintained that everything I do is in the best interests of the club and that commitment underpins this decision.
“Australian Professional Leagues (APL) will take temporary control of the club in order to safeguard its future in the short-term while a buyer is found who can provide the level of financial support required to take Perth Glory FC forward and provide its Members, fans and sponsors with the success they demand and deserve.
“My time as owner of the club may have come to an end, but I will always be incredibly proud of my family’s role in its history. As an extremely proud West Australian, it has been an incredible privilege to have been a custodian of this iconic brand. My only regret is not achieving the ultimate goal of a Grand Final win.
“In our time we featured in seven memorable Grand Finals (two A-League Men’s, three A-League Women’s, and two FFA Cup) and reached the Asian Champions League qualifiers.
“I leave the club with an Academy rich in talent, with over 15 of our young players currently representing Australia at various age levels. This bodes well for the future of our great club and our leagues that are entering a new period of exciting prosperity.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported my family and I during this unforgettable journey.
“Our genuine love for Perth Glory has never been stronger and we will always remain passionate supporters of the club.”
Within the last hour, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) issued the following statement:
“A resolution has been reached for the transition of Perth Glory Football Club’s licence to new owners.
“The Australian Professional Leagues has appointed advisory firm KordaMentha to manage the receivership process for Perth Glory Football Club. As part of this process, KordaMentha will ensure that the ongoing obligations of the club are met.
“Perth Glory’s operations will continue as usual as the club continues its preparation for the 2023-24 seasons. The process is expected to conclude within the next ten weeks.”
Australian Professional Leagues CEO Danny Townsend said: “Perth Glory have faced incredibly difficult circumstances over the last five years and we are pleased to close off this period of uncertainty for players, staff, members, and fans as they continue their preparations for next season.
“Here we have a process which allows for the club’s operations to continue ‘business-as-usual’, whilst the technical adjustments are made to the club’s ownership structure.
“Under this league structure, the continuity of our clubs is now guaranteed by the league.”
KordaMentha’s Andrew Knight said “an orderly sale process for Perth Glory Football Club would commence immediately. While this process is being undertaken, the Receivers and Managers will continue to operate the club in a ‘business as usual’ manner.”
Goldfields star Lala signs with Perth Glory
Above: Tanika Lala (right) is one of the hottest young talents in the Western Australian scene. Photo: Fotoenzo.
Perth Glory announced late this week that exciting young WA forward Tanika Lala has joined the club’s Liberty A-League squad for the 2023/24 season.
The 19-year-old, who hails originally from Kalgoorlie, is regarded as one of the state’s brightest young talents and has scored six goals for the Hyundai NTC in the NPLW WA so far this season, and was second top scorer in the league last year.
Glory Head Coach Alex Epakis is thrilled to have a player of Lala’s huge potential on board.
“Tanika is a player that I have been monitoring for over 12 months,” he said.
“She had a training block with us last season and her quality was there to be seen. I was confident that with a bit more time she would be ready to be part of our squad this upcoming season and I’m happy that the time has now come for her.
“Tanika has a remarkable story as a young West Australian from Kalgoorlie who has made some big moves in her life to give herself the best chance of becoming a professional football player for her hometown club.
“She made the move to Perth and has been one of the standout performers across recent seasons in the local NPLW and is now primed for the next stage in her career. Her attacking qualities and finishing are at a good level and excitingly, she still has a lot of untapped quality.
“My work will be focused around helping her further progress and develop. I believe she can have a positive impact upon the ALW competition and is an addition to the squad that I am very excited about.”
Impetus‘ Ben Gilby interviewed Tanika Lala recently for our WA On Wednesday. Click on this link to read the interview: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/07/05/tanika-lala-one-of-western-australias-brightest-young-stars/
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