Football in Australia has been through some major changes in recent times. The National Soccer League strove to attract people to the game, fighting against both rugby codes, and the very popular Australian Rules Football.

In 2001, the National Soccer League began to deteriorate. Weak management, loss of sponsorship, and a threatened government enquiry as well as a removal of the leadership of Soccer Australia. Eventually, re-launched, Soccer Australia came back as Football Federation Australia and its new A League.

Perth Glory was one of the founding members of the A League, and did not start too well. The club suffered on and off the field, and the club soon ran into stormy waters. In March 2006, Football Federation Australia relieved the teams owner of control. In 2005, the owner of the Glory was slowly withdrawing from the club, and looking to sell his stake. Also, problems in the dressing room began to surface as cliques formed, and tensions affected team morale.

However, under the FFA, confidence began to return, and Western QBE came back as the clubs major sponsor. And, in 2007, new owners where found for the club, and it went back into private ownership. The long road back was crowned when they signed a strategic alliance with Manchester City.

The club chose purple as its main colour as many other clubs in Australia used some kind of combination of red, white and blue. Also, the club felt that in the name “Glory” They had a name that showed a great sense of history and power. Whilst not having any ethnic connotations.

The clubs logo features a sunburst pattern behind the football. This is supposed to represent the sun over Perth, as well as representing vitality and energy.

The shirt itself is from Reebok, like many of the other shirts in the A League. On the front, it features the clubs main sponsor, Western QBE, and on the back, the mining company, FEX. As a nod to the clubs history, white vertical stripes have been reintroduced after not being seen since the late 90’s.

The shirt carries the A League logo on the right side of the chest, and the shirt is finished with a white collar, and a red trim.

Paul Woodcock