Will the "bling" be back? Only Graham Arnold can say. Sydney FC's head coach will make the first and final decision whether a high-profile guest player will be at the forefront of Sydney FC's ambitious membership and attendance drive for next season that coincides with the club's bold new look.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A club once criticised for its lack of identity took one of its most definitive steps yet towards establishing one, as Sydney FC unveiled their new fan-approved club crest and cemented their immediate future at Moore Park.
A traditional, yet simplified badge with the Sydney Opera House as its centrepiece was revealed at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, where Sydney FC will remain for the next 10 seasons after signing a long-term lease. The club wasted no time in making the next step of its "evolution", unveiling its new crest 10 days after becoming A-League champions.
The new crest is what Sydney chairman Scott Barlow says is their first step in the off-season of promotion that aims to see Sydney FC reach their off-field potential.
Sydney have targeted an average attendance of 20,000, a minimum membership of 15,000 - an increase of 25 per cent from this season - and back-to-back titles for the first time. In the past, the club's growth periods coincided with the arrival of stars such as Dwight Yorke and Alessandro del Piero and while Barlow says Sydney are open to recruiting a guest player for next season, that decision will be Arnold's to make.
"It's something we look at from time to time," Barlow said. "It's really driven from the football department and what they want. If there's the right opportunity that Graham and his coaching staff want then we'll always try and make that a possibility and there's always the commercial aspects to consider as well."
A new crest a year in the making followed fans' calls for Sydney FC to redesign their image and Wednesday's unveiling of the crest was heralded as a "coming of age" by their chairman. The club's name has been moved inside of the badge, which includes the sails of the Opera House angled as if seen from the direction of their home ground at Moore Park. The federation star from their previous badge has been retained and placed at the bottom of the shield.
"It is a premium and authentic football crest that will stand the test of time and be a true reflection of our club and our identity," Barlow said.
"We are proud to represent one of the world's truly iconic cities and we now have a crest that emphasises that. An iconic club for an iconic city.
The new logo is inspired by one submitted by members to the club more than a year ago and involved feedback and approval from supporters.
As revealed by Fairfax Media in October, the Sky Blues will be considered a high priority tenant at Allianz Stadium, quashing suggestions of the club relocating to another venue or building a new permanent home. SCG Trust chairman Tony Shepherd says an application for state government funding includes a refurbishment of the playing surface at Allianz Stadium that has proven problematic for Sydney FC in recent months.
"As you're aware we have sought funding from the state government for upgrading the stadium which includes pitch refurbishment and we're awaiting a response on that and we'll hopefully get a positive answer," he said.
Shepherd says the new deal acknowledges Sydney FC have become the major tenant of the venue.
"Frankly, they are [the main tenant] in this rectangular stadium," he said.
