Where are Sydney Rovers?

So far it has been an off-season that has seen Sydney FC make an even further push into the western suburbs in what is effectively a bid to convert as many of Rovers' target market as possible. What then is the fledgling franchise Sydney Rovers doing to combat this?

Over the last several weeks, Sydney FC have signed Memorandum of Understandings between several district associations, many of which could be considered, at least geographically, to fall within Rovers' turf. Macarthur, Nepean, Granville, Manly Warringah, Canterbury, and Blacktown have all recently agreed to MOU's – a master-stroke by Sky Blue officials, with all junior players signed to these associations aged 12 and under receiving free Sydney FC memberships.

This incentive has been an effective strategy in ensuring signatures, and garnering local community support both now and well into the future.

In response Ian Rowden and his team at Sydney Rovers have seemingly done nothing. In fact, very little is known about the current movements of the club, and if indeed there have been any at all. In an online blog he promised to keep fans informed about their progress. But that was back in January. Even Sydney FC Vice-Chairman Scott Barlow admitted last week to having heard little from their soon to be cross-town rivals, which speaks volumes. Surely direct competitors would have an idea of Rovers' movements?

There were whispers that Rovers will eventually be based out of the new stadium to be built in Blacktown for Australia's World Cup bid, but they were simply that. Whispers. This could have been a great piece of publicity for the club, and yet it was missed. Unfortunately it appears they have at least remembered that A-league clubs have a history of missed opportunity and community engagement, and nothing need change here. Gold Coast and NQ Fury struggled immediately, while the more established clubs enjoyed a honeymoon period before the cracks began to show.

Perhaps in several years, once Sydney Rovers have entered the league, had their revelation that they did not engage enough with the local community, or market themselves correctly, or suitably price their tickets, or open the entire stadium – perhaps then the club will learn to promote themselves sufficiently.

Sydney FC took five years to realise their mistakes. Will the western Sydney team be any different? History says no, but let's hope that Ian Rowden and his elusive team, say yes.