“We’re going there no matter what” – Perth Glory owner Tony Sage

PERTH Glory chairman Tony Sage says the City of Fremantle offered it Ken Allen Field as part of its proposal to move into Fremantle Oval by the end of October.
Mr Sage told StreetWise today the ‘deal’ was sealed two weeks ago with South Fremantle Football Club after council offered to accommodate Glory in part of the existing facilities at 70 Parry Street once it moved into the new Walyalup Civic Centre.
He said the offer was made by Acting Mayor and South Ward Cr Andrew Sullivan, who on September 2 appeared on SFFC’s website with Perth Glory CEO Tony Pignata and South Fremantle CEO Cameron Britt to welcome, “Perth Glory to the Port City” (below). Cr Sullivan says he has no authority to make any deals and denied speaking to Mr Sage.
As reported yesterday at www.streetwisemedia.com.au/footy-heritage-ditched-for-a-few-pieces-of-glory, the Fremantle City Football Club wants to expand to Ken Allen once Fremantle Rugby Club relocate to Cockburn next year.
President Mark De Luca said if FPOL approve the Perth Glory proposal tonight, it will negate his club’s EOI for Ken Allen. Members of the club board met acting CEO Glen Dougall this afternoon, calling on council to remove the item from the agenda. He said board members and supporters of the club will attend FPOL tonight after Mr Dougall refused.
Mr Sage said the council offered Ken Allen because the Glory needed a stand-alone training ground as it could not always use Fremantle Oval. Presently training at Scotch College, the Glory’s lease at the Western Force facilities in Mt Claremont has expired.
“We’re going there no matter what,” he told StreetWise. “We can all work together. We didn’t ask for anything, the council wanted to switch Ken Allen from rugby to soccer.”
Mr Sage added: “FCFC need it in winter and we’re not even playing or training then. The season finishes in May and restarts in October for us.”
Mr De Luca said Perth Glory contacted the club about two months ago when they found out Ken Allen was available and, “were interested in working with us and said they would get one of their people to call us”.
He said that call was made on Wednesday last week while he was travelling to Broome. After leaving a message the next day, Perth Glory did not return his call until Monday this week, offering to go for coffee.
“They’ve done it all behind my back,” he said. “Ken Allen was always on the table.”
Tonight’s FPOL agenda states: “Officers are also in discussion with the club regarding the use of Ken Allen Field given the Fremantle Roosters Rugby Club will be departing the facility to relocate to Cockburn in 2022. Should the Perth Glory require use of Ken Allen Field prior to the departure of the Roosters, a collaborative approach to the sharing of the field would need to be determined between the City, Roosters and Glory.”
The Parry Street building consists of 2322sqm on two levels. Glory wants to use 1250sqm on the ground floor at $250 a sqm or $312,500 a year under a three-year contract, with a two year option to extend. The City would contribute $350,000-$400,000 to upgrade the building for 20 administration and coaching staff and about 70 players.
Mr De Luca said the club first learnt of the Glory proposal to use Fremantle Oval and Ken Allen when it appeared on the FPOL agenda, prompting him to write to all councillors last Friday: “We were requested to submit an EOI … by your councillors recently and are now in absolute shock and dismay that Perth Glory’s submission to your next meeting is indeed being considered. Our club representatives have been in constant contact with the City of Fremantle regarding our expression of interest in our aim to seek a lease for our club for Ken Allen reserve. It appears that Perth Glory has now jumped the cue without due process.”
He added: “I acknowledge it is merely an agenda item for you all to review and consider, but I wish to make it clear from the perspective of the club of Fremantle City Football Club that should you accept such a submission, it would be utterly hypocritical given your remarks to us that alternative community involvement was a necessity.”