Perth Glory has announced that the club’s ISUZU UTE A-League team will play 10 of their 13 home games of the 2022/23 Season at Macedonia Park, Stirling.
As a result of ongoing stadium renovations at their regular home ground HBF Park, the Glory has been forced to relocate to a temporary home. The side will then return to HBF Park for three regular-season home fixtures beginning on March 10.
“We have been confronted by a unique set of challenges caused by circumstances completely beyond our control,” Glory CEO Anthony Radich said in a statement.
“Being informed so late in the piece of the unavailability of HBF Park for an additional six home games beyond the original four has severely delayed and thrown our season-planning into disarray.
“Our Members and fans were our primary consideration throughout the decision-making process and there is no perfect outcome.
“We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our Members, partners and fans are able to attend games at a venue which is of a rectangular orientation and fit for football.
“As well as needing a rectangular venue, we wanted to avoid having to play “home” fixtures on the east coast given that our Members, partners and fans have been deprived of normality in terms of home games for the past two years.
“Obviously there are major financial implications for our club and we are discussing with the State Government potential compensation for loss of access to HBF Park.
“We’re pleased to say the State Government is looking to provide significant financial support, match day/event and temporary infrastructure support to enable us to host home matches at Macedonia Park.”
A-Leagues Commissioner Greg O’Rourke was quick to emphasise the importance of Glory not being forced to relocate home games yet again.
“The impact of this construction delay is considerable on Perth Glory, its Members, sponsors and corporate partners,” he added via press release.
“It was vital to ensure they were able play in their home city.”
Significant temporary infrastructure improvements will be made to render Macedonia Park fit for A-League football, including the addition of temporary seating to build its capacity, pitch renovation, additional parking and a temporary lighting upgrade and the State Government has agreed to assist in implementing these improvements.
This work, however, will take time to complete and as a result, Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has had to amend the club’s season fixtures.
The original first two home games of the ISUZU UTE A-League Men’s campaign, v Central Coast Mariners on Sunday October 23 and v Brisbane Roar on Sunday November 13, will be rescheduled at Macedonia Park for later in the season, thereby ensuring that the club retains its 13 scheduled home fixtures.
The first home game will now take place on Saturday December 10 at 7.30pm WST against Western United.
The game against Central Coast Mariners on Saturday October 23 will be reversed and played instead at Central Coast Stadium, while details regarding the new scheduling of the Sunday November 13 meeting with Brisbane Roar are to be confirmed.
