A-League: The Inside Story of the Tumultuous First Decade

Product Description

In December 2003, shopping centre billionaire Frank Lowy walked into a packed media conference and announced the creation of a new professional football league. Armed with $15 million of government funds, Lowy wanted to wake the sleeping giant of Australian sport, and the A-League kicked off in 2005.

Over the competition's first decade it has seen more than its fair share of drama, on and off the field. International superstars have come to play, eccentric billionaires have bought and sold franchises, and clubs have folded after haemorrhaging millions of dollars. Yet the football has been captivating, and attendances and television viewership have grown as Australians have embraced the world game like never before.

Relying on unprecedented access to key figures, John Stensholt and Shaun Mooney reveal the true story behind the A-League's first ten years: the egos, the power plays and the rows between some of Australia's richest men as they try to make football Australia's favourite game.