Ross Pelligra and Perth Glory: A New Era
The past seven months (or so) have proven to be an arduous period for all connected with Perth Glory.
It began with Tony Sage surrendering the club’s license to the APL back in July last year, followed by an 11-week ordeal culminating in a disastrous outcome with the thwarted Primeland bid. Further compounding the challenges was the APL reneging on their commitment to the club regarding new player signings in January.
This sequence of events has coalesced into a taxing season for the Glory’s men’s side, currently positioned in 11th place with only four wins recorded at the time of writing. While Alen Stajcic and his staff would no doubt have anticipated challenges upon his appointment as the successor to Ruben Zadkovich, the extent of the dire circumstances witnessed in the last few months likely surpassed many expectations.
There’s also no doubt Stajcic came to the club in August last year under the pretence of new owners arriving not long after; however, due to how those involved in the APL and KordaMentha handled the previous process, it’s unfortunately been a difficult period for all involved with Perth Glory.
Last month, the APL and presumably the receivers KordaMentha, mandated the loan of Tunisian winger Salim Khelifi to an “unknown club”, subsequently revealed to be Melbourne Victory.
This decision elicited a strong reaction from fans, as it seemingly questioned the league’s integrity, compelling the club to lend a key player to a rival club, even if temporarily. This highlighted the pressing need for new ownership, and we can now finally rest a little easier as fans.
There had been considerable speculation over the last few weeks centring around Ross Pelligra’s interest in acquiring Perth Glory. Pelligra, a Melbourne-based property developer, has been considered the most probable suitor among interested parties, and today he was announced as the club’s 3rd owner, following on from former owners Tony Sage and Nick Tana.
Pelligra and his consortium’s interest in purchasing the club has been evident since the beginning of the sale process, and following his announcement, he announced a three-point plan for the club as part of his vision:
Re-connect — Members and fans are crucial to the success of this club and we need to better engage with you and the broader WA football community.
Be Sustainable — We need to build a club for generations to come. One that will produce future Matildas and Socceroos and one that will leave a positive legacy for Western Australia.
Be Successful — If you don’t aim to be successful then you’re not in it for the right reasons. Success comes in many forms and while we’ll aim for success on the pitch, we must be successful off it too.
His second point regarding the club being sustainable is critical. Notably, youth development was a focal point for Pelligra and his group when they acquired Catania a few years ago, and it undoubtedly constitutes an area where they aim to elevate the Glory to national prominence.
Given that Perth Glory is the only professional football club in the state, a paramount consideration should be providing the best possible pathway for young boys and girls to eventually represent their country.
Western Australia has a storied history of producing high-quality players who have gone on to represent the Socceroos and Matildas, players like Sam Kerr, Trent Sainsbury, Lisa De Vanna, and Stan Lazaridis.
Another crucial facet requiring attention is implementing a robust footballing structure at the club. To my understanding, the Glory currently don’t have a proper football department.
A fundamental aspect of a successful football club, not only in Australia but worldwide, is the imperative need to assemble the best individuals within the organisation, collaborating to provide the club with the utmost chance of success.
What the Glory currently possess is one of the most accomplished coaches in Australia, Alen Stajcic.
I’ve consistently extolled Staj’s virtues, but in essence, his coaching attributes align exactly with what this team requires. The tactical identity of the team has displayed promise since the beginning of the season, despite results not always favouring the club.
Consider, for instance, the club’s recent away win against the Western Sydney Wanderers in late January, marking Perth Glory’s first away win in 15 months. In that game, Alen Stajcic and his staff meticulously crafted a flawless game plan, ensuring the Glory could overcome one of the top teams in the competition — marked by intensity, a more cohesive defensive structure, and lightning-quick counterattacks.
However, beyond Stajcic, the support around the 50-year-old is somewhat limited. As mentioned earlier, the Glory currently lack an extensive football department, an area that I imagine Ross Pelligra and his group would seek to rectify.
In my perspective, there should be, at the very least, a Director of Football and Head of Recruitment within the club to support not only Alen Stajcic but also those involved in our women’s team and academy programs. The more support there is, the better.
As to who should take on those roles, this is a matter for Ross Pelligra and former Socceroos Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella, to sort out. Whether the club brings back former Glory captain and Football Director Jacob Burns or someone else, the best people have to be brought in.
Building on the Head of Recruitment role, general recruitment must be at its zenith. The Glory must construct a squad capable of challenging for major honors, come the pointy end of the season. This is the vision for both Pelligra and Alen Stajcic, as briefly outlined by Stajcic when he assumed the role of the club’s head coach in August last year.
“I vividly recall the late 90s and early 2000s when Perth Glory revolutionized the National League with its connection to the city, its level of support, and a team that was leading the way on the pitch,” he said. “I believe an incredible opportunity now exists to re-establish Glory as one of the giants of Australian football.”
Securing silverware has proven elusive for the Glory in the A-League era, a stark contrast from the NSL years when success seemed inherent to the club’s identity.
I recently saw a Facebook comment encapsulating the stark shift in fortunes, with a fan noting that the Glory, once a “Title threat in the NSL,” has over the years transformed into a team met with nonchalant sentiments like “Oh cool, we have Perth Glory next week.”
It’s challenging to dispute the fan’s observation, considering the status the club has acquired as something of a laughing stock in the A-League era.
The road ahead for Pelligra, Bresciano, and all those associated with the club is undeniably a huge challenge, but the prospect of revitalizing one of the A-League’s oldest and most historically significant clubs should prove invigorating nonetheless.
Pelligra has expressed his desire to re-establish the club as a benchmark in Australian football, highlighting his passion for sports and previous investments in other sporting clubs. He emphasised the importance of reconnecting with the community, driving success, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Pelligra’s childhood memories of watching Perth Glory on TV in Melbourne inspired his vision of restoring the club’s energy and reclaiming its former glory. He envisions the club becoming the envy of every A-League team, reminiscent of its initial founding days in the NSL.
Many of the club’s older supporters, who witnessed the Glory at their peak, often reminisce about an era when the club stood as a powerhouse, synonymous with success both on and off the pitch. Whether Pelligra’s consortium can propel the club back to the summit remains to be seen, but hopefully, it is exciting times ahead.
