Adam Taggart: A-League must do more to re-engage fans if they want the league to improve

One of the most interesting takeaways from the Professional Footballers Australia annual report that came out this week was the strong player sentiment around the need to improve the atmosphere at A-League games in order to maximise audience growth and fan engagement. This is certainly a standpoint I firmly agree with. There have been periods during the competition’s 20-year history when the league and the clubs worked very closely on fan engagement and we saw the results of that in great atmospheres at grounds around the country. Perth Glory supporters have a strong reputation in this regard, of course and there is no doubt that when there are good numbers at HBF Park, it is a fantastically atmospheric venue. But I also recall the mid-2010s when I was playing for Newcastle, there was a real buzz at so many of our games, plus we had Western Sydney Wanderers coming into the competition and introducing some of the best active support football in Australia has ever seen. The subsequent issues around and misunderstanding of active support have unfortunately seen a decline in this area and I firmly believe that more needs to be done to re-engage with these supporter groups in order to improve the culture and environment not only of individual clubs, but the league in general. The football fan experience is a truly unique one and it is something that Auckland FC have really tapped into as part of what was a huge marketing push around their launch as a new club. The interest they have created has reminded me of the impact Western Sydney Wanderers made when they entered the league, as previously mentioned and it’s been fantastic to see. They are drawing good crowds, giving local players a chance and enjoying on-field success and have definitely added value to the A-League. Returning to Glory matters and we are now gearing up for another game on the road, this time against Adelaide United. Carl Veart’s side have won their last three games on the bounce and we know they’ll be a tough nut to crack. But personally speaking, I love the atmosphere at Coopers Stadium, especially on a Friday night. It’s always one of our most enjoyable away trips and we have a decent record there, so hopefully we can come back with a positive result.