Since last writing to you on 9 January, 2016 at the turn of the New Year, we have experienced a welcome turn of fortunes on-field.
Since then, we have achieved nine (9) wins, one (1) draw and two (2) losses. We now find ourselves in fifth spot and have secured a spot for this year’s Hyundai A-League Finals Series which is an outstanding result and an extraordinary turnaround from the beginning of the season.
Our January transfer window recruits Andy Keogh, Shane Lowry, Krisztian Vadocz, Kosta Petratos and of course earlier recruits Jamal Reiners and Aryn Williams have been welcome additions to the squad. It gets even more exciting as we await the much anticipated return of Adam Taggart for the 2016/17 Hyundai A-League season having already signed a contract with the club.
Andy Keogh has scored nine (9) goals since returning in January and Shane Lowry and Krisztian have bolstered our defence and midfield. Youngsters Jamal Reiners and Kosta Petratos are exciting prospects for the future. Diego Castro continues to display his magic each week and is the talk of the Hyundai A-League.
Full credit must go to Kenny Lowe, the coaching staff, support staff and the entire playing squad for our performances this season. They have worked tirelessly to get the club into this position.
This Sunday (3 April) we face our most crucial game of the season against Melbourne City at nib Stadium. As it sits at present, we are only four (4) points from top position with two (2) games remaining. To secure a home final, we need to secure at minimum fourth spot on the ladder.
Your support as a member has been outstanding. Not only have we broken our membership record with 7,100 members this season, we are also averaging crowds of 11,264 over the last four (4) home games and we look forward to hosting our highest attendance at our last home game for the season this Sunday against Melbourne City. Our previous highest attendance this season was for our Round 20 match against Brisbane Roar with 12,510 attending and 9 goals were scored in our epic win against the Roar 6-3. In the last four (4) home games we have scored 15 goals and we have witnessed some of the most entertaining football.
Kenny and the boys are enjoying the atmosphere you have helped create at our recent home matches and are looking forward to your continued support again this Sunday to transform nib Stadium into our fortress and make it an intimidating place for Melbourne City. This is OUR CITY.
Let’s make it loud and proud!
This time last season, we faced a different predicament as you’re all well aware. We challenged ourselves at the beginning of this season to ‘draw a line in the sand’ and ‘move forward’. I believe we have done this as a collective and there is so much to look forward to for this football club as we head into a new and exciting direction, The Perth Glory Way.
In the words of former Green Bay Packers NFL coach, Vince Lombardi,“The real Glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real Glory”
Again, this would not have been possible without your strong and unwavering support. Within the next couple of months we will be seeking your on-going commitment to renew your membership for 2016/17 as we strive for our four (4) year strategic target of 10,000 members. We want you all back on board behind the Club as we continue to build momentum into the new season. We will be busy in the off-season to ensure we have the best possible squad available for 2016/17.
A few weeks ago we revealed our ambitious four (4) year strategic plan, The Perth Glory Way. Our vision is to be the leading football club in Australia, on and off the field, and a Club in which Western Australians are always proud of.
The overarching purpose is to create excitement by making brilliant things happen on and off the pitch so that our people are stronger, “Together” as one, Bound for Glory”, and at all times being true to our culture and values: The Perth Glory Way.
We will be hosting our QBE Most Glorious Player awards night in the first week of May and information will be coming to you shortly. We would like to see as many of our members and fans attend the evening to show our appreciation to our team and the great season they have had irrespective of what happens from hereon.
I take this opportunity to also remind you that we are now into Round 3 of the PS4 National Premier League season and encourage you to support the youngsters during the season. In the first two (2) games, we were unlucky against last year’s Champions Bayswater losing 4-3 and we drew against Cockburn 0-0. Members are entitled to free entry to our home games at Ashfield Reserve and we would be delighted to see you support the boys as much as you can.
We look forward to seeing you all at nib Stadium this Sunday as we head into Finals and continue to strive for even greater heights this season.
There is only ONE Perth Glory!
Warm regards
Peter Filopoulos
Chief Executive Officer
Proud and Paid Up Member No. 19239
