FFA critic makes peace in new role

Critic of the FFA, Archie Fraser, says he can work with the body after being appointed CEO of Sydney’s new A-League club

Archie Fraser has been appointed the CEO of A-League expansion club Macarthur-South West Sydney

Archie Fraser and Football Federation Australia have not seen eye-to-eye over the past nine years, but the new boss of A-League club-in-waiting Macarthur-South West Sydney believes some bridges have been mended as he tackles one of the most exciting projects of his administrative career.

The one-time boss of the A-League between 2009 and 2010, Fraser was officially unveiled yesterday in his new role as chief executive of MSWS, which will enter an expanded 12-team ­national competition for the 2020-21 season.

And his appointment has received the blessing of FFA despite the 60-year-old Scotsman agreeing he has been one of their sternest critics since he left the organisation after “I could see it wasn’t right for me and that I couldn’t make it work”.

“I’ve already talked to (A-League boss) Greg O’Rourke this morning. We have never met formally, but I don’t see any problems working with him,” Fraser said yesterday. “Before I accepted the appointment, I basically informed the chairman of the FFA (Chris Nikou) that I was taking the role and he pretty much endorsed my position, so I wasn’t going to spring things on the FFA … they were aware I had this job. They seemed to be pretty supportive.”

After leaving FFA in 2010, Fraser joined forces with billionaire Clive Palmer in his fight against the head body’s decision to dump the Palmer-owned Gold Coast United from the A-League. He has since been quite vocal in his insistence that the A-League become an independent entity while helping to set the wheels in motion for a second-tier national competition with promotion and relegation.

But Fraser’s issues with FFA were of no concern or consideration for the MSWS hierarchy.

“We didn’t even think about it. We started the process to find a CEO that fitted what we wanted to achieve as a club and Archie ticked all boxes,” MSWS co-chairman Gino Marra said. “We make up our own minds.

“We were impressed with ­Archie’s vision, which was in line with what we wanted to do.”

Still, Fraser, who worked as the CEO of AFL club St Kilda between 2006 and 2009 before being head-hunted by FFA, believes his time at the head body served him well, giving him an inside look at what is required to help give MSWS every chance for success.

“The benefit of working internally in the FFA clearly helps me build a club,” he said. “I think I learned a lot there and I think I learned a lot in the last seven or eight years being on the bench (outside the game).

“It is time to start playing again and I think I’m better served by that time away from the game. Like anything else, it is sometimes good to sit on the plank, warm yourself and contemplate what you should be doing.

“I’ve come back stronger and better and more focused about what I want to do and how to achieve it.”

Fraser still has strong beliefs regarding the A-League and its independence, the formation of a national second division and promotion and relegation. He has been working voluntarily behind the scenes with the Australian Association of Football Clubs (AAFC), which represents National Premier League clubs around the country.

“I think the game needs to be integrated from top to bottom so I still think I can have a positive impact,” he said.

In terms of his new role, Fraser is confident he can make a telling contribution.

“This is an exciting role, a wonderful opportunity because we have a fresh canvas,’’ he said.