We are getting into the swing of the new season for the wonderful European leagues and it makes me hanker for the old days of New Zealand football when the clubs were king.
Football throughout the world is based on genuine clubs and in a perfect world, or one much better than exists now, New Zealand would go back to this rather than continue operating a franchise-based national league.
New Zealand Football must have a rethink, because the franchise system doesn't work. It has led to over-dominance by Auckland City and Waitakere United while leaving too many clubs, players and supporters feeling adrift from the top level of our domestic game.
There are a number of concepts that could right the ship, but the most important step is to embrace the clubs again along with promotion-relegation, which is a central aspect to football leagues around the world.
In a nutshell, the current system does not reflect the true club scene. The only national league exception is the Auckland City franchise, which enjoys a homely atmosphere at wonderful Kiwitea St which doubles as the home of Central United. The franchise system has, ironically, disenfranchised clubs who deserve a lot better, including the chance to represent New Zealand in the O-league.
I was lucky enough to emigrate here when a terrific and genuine national league existed, when Auckland was represented by Mt Wellington, Eastern Suburbs, Blockhouse Bay and North Shore. The supporters and voluntary club workers got in behind their clubs and made them tick in a way they are never going to do with franchises.
A supporter of Bay Olympic -- who are part of the Waitakere United setup -- told me recently there was no way he would put his money across the bar at Fred Taylor Park. Bay Olympic was his club, and that's where he would spend his time and money and this reflects the attitude of many football people
Club members want to support their team through their clubrooms. They don't feel part of the franchises and never watch those teams.
We have clubs such as Eastern Suburbs, Three Kings and Western Springs with player numbers of 2000-plus who contribute to NZF coffers yet without any chance of playing in the top echelon. Maybe some of them don't want to, but they should have the opportunity. At the moment, regional winners don't even get prize money.
I don't have all the answers, and there would be hurdles and problems to negotiate in a drastic makeover. As a halfway measure, NZF could introduce playoffs between regional champions with the winner going into the national league, giving recognition and incentive to the clubs. But NZF should consider going much further than that, and say goodbye to the franchises for good.
Beautiful Barca
Barcelona's whirlwind start to La Liga hasn't surprised my spies at the Nou Camp. Barca has found a new leader in coach Luis Enrique, who played for the Catalonian giants and Spain in the '90s.
The dressing room has a new energy with Lionel Messi having his best start for three seasons and Brazilian star Neymar approaching the form to justify his tag as the world's most expensive player. The opposition will be trembling even more when Luis Suarez joins the lineup soon.
Koeman works some magic
Manchester United's Louis van Gaal got all the publicity, but another Dutch manager is doing the business in the English Premier League.
Ronald Koeman has quietly guided Southampton to second on the table, and a club picked by many as relegation candidates are enjoying their best start in 26 years.
The loss of manager Mauricio Pochettino to Spurs created a mass exodus of star players including Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Dejan Lovren.
Whereas van Gaal spent $300 million, Koeman's big buy was journeyman Shane Long from Hull.
All White honour
A great All Whites player -- his name must remain a mystery for now -- will be honoured at a dinner in Auckland on November 6 in what is to be an annual event organised by Friends of Football in association with NZF and the media. All Whites coach Anthony Hudson and NZF CEO Andy Martin will figure in the evening at Auckland Grammar.
Friends of Football (I'm on the committee with ex-players Barbara Cox, Brian Turner and Earle Thomas) aims to celebrate the game and its legacy.
Q+A with anthony Hudson
I spent a morning having coffee with new All Whites coach Anthony Hudson and he struck me as someone who knows what he wants -- confident without being arrogant was my initial impression. He is under no illusions about the size of the task and is knowledgeable with a dry sense of humour, which he will need in that job. I threw a few questions his way.
Which club did you support as a kid?
Stoke City (his dad Alan played for Stoke).
Your favourite player?
Paul Gascoigne.
Best goal seen live?
Gascoigne for England against Scotland in the 1996 European Championships.
Who inspired you to become a manager?
Brian Clough (the legendary English club manager) and Marcelo Biesla - the Argentinian coach of Olympique Marseille.
Scariest thing you have been part of in a football match?
In the crowd as a youngster at Stoke City v Port Vale derbies.
Pastimes?
Movies, reading, and walking my dog Dyer.
What book are you reading?
Legacy by James Kerr.
Favourite movie/TV programme?
The Talented Mr Ripley and the UK's The Office.
Music taste?
Indie rock ... Kings of Leon.
Is there someone who inspires or motivates you?
[Self-help] author Wayne Dyer - hence the name of my dog.