Bigger and better ... can Parramatta Stadium fir the Wanderers? Source: News Limited
Unparalleled support and demand for tickets to Western Sydney Wanderers games has prompted FFA boss David Gallop to petition the state government to build a new stadium for the A-League leaders.
Gallop has already met with sports minister Graham Annesley to discuss a purpose-built Wanderers stadium or expansion to their home ground, Parramatta Stadium.
Wanderers' record 10-match winning streak has put them atop the A-League, and coach Tony Popovic's says his team is yet to reach full potential.
With Saturday's huge derby against Sydney FC having sold out in quick time and thousands of fans missing out on tickets, Gallop said the Wanderers' unprecedented growth in their debut year makes their future at a 20,000-seat venue untenable.
"While it is totally appropriate to reward the faithful at Parramatta on Saturday, the crystal ball says this club has outgrown this ground," Gallop said.
"The Premier (Barry O'Farrell) and Minister for Sport are big supporters of western Sydney and the Wanderers, and the question for them is how we are going to meet the demand for seats in future years.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Sydney | 25 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 53 |
| 2 | Central Coast | 25 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 48 |
| 3 | Victory | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 41 |
| 4 | Adelaide | 25 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 40 |
| 5 | Sydney | 25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | -8 | 31 |
| 6 | Newcastle | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | -12 | 31 |
| 7 | Brisbane | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 29 |
| 8 | Perth | 25 | 8 | 4 | 13 | -3 | 28 |
| 9 | Heart | 25 | 8 | 3 | 14 | -6 | 27 |
| 10 | Wellington | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | -17 | 27 |
"An upgrade to Parramatta or a new stadium is the next step, and the electorate and the game of football's place with these voters will pose that question emphatically next weekend at the derby. While not every game is a sell-out yet, the Wanderers are on a growth trajectory unprecedented in Australian sport."
Reserved $32 tickets for Saturday's match, which will deliver the Wanderers the Premiers Plate if they win, are being bid on for more than $250 each on eBay.
Sydney FC need a result to join the Wanderers in the finals.
"It is a game that says so much about the success of the A-League this season," Gallop said.
"The real story is the boom the Wanderers have created. This is a sell-out in the most competitive football market in the world. And it is the potential for further growth that dwarfs other codes that is so incredible."
While Sydney FC have taken games to Homebush's ANZ Stadium, Gallop said its multipurpose oval shape was not conducive as a permanent home ground for the Wanderers.
"Our game needs a rectangular ground so Homebush is not the answer," Gallop said.
Popovic declared that his team has not peaked too early.
"We still see a lot of improvement and potential in this whole squad. We'll continue to work hard to improve, day in and day out," Popovic said.
In their first year, the Wanderers have beaten every other team in the A-League. Last Saturday's 3-1 over Melbourne Heart extended a winning run that began on January 13 against Wellington.
"You could say momentum carries you forward with the wins, but that's not enough really to get 10 wins," Popovic said.
"You need to play some good football week in, week out to maintain that kind of run.
"You see a lot of unbeaten runs throughout the world but to win 10 straight is difficult to do."
Gallop, who ran the NRL for 10 years, said the Wanderers had outmatched any league club for resonance within their community.
"An exciting competition and having community engagement was certainly what we were all about at the NRL, but the Wanderers are doing it with unprecedented success," he said.
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