Melbourne property developer Ross Pelligra has set his sights on returning Perth Glory to their powerhouse status after being unveiled as the new owner of the A-League club last Friday.
Glory – back-to-back National Soccer League champions in the competition’s last two seasons before the formation of the A-League in 2004 – had been in receivership since last July, when then-owner Tony Sage handed back the licence after struggling to keep the club running.
The club was formerly owned by prominent Greek Australian businessman Paul Afkos until 2002.
A planned sale to Primeland boss Robert Brij spectacularly collapsed in November, with the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) on Friday naming the Pelligra Group as Glory’s new owners.
Pelligra already owns Italian Serie C side Catania, as well as the Adelaide Lightning women’s basketball team, the Adelaide Giants baseball team, and the Canberra Braves and Adelaide Adrenaline ice hockey teams.
It’s believed former Socceroos star Mark Bresciano, a current Football Australia board director, will be part of the new Glory hierarchy under the Pelligra consortium.
Another former Socceroo – Vince Grella – is also believed to be involved.
“I’m relishing the prospect of re-establishing Glory as a benchmark club of Australian football,” Pelligra said in a statement after the sale was confirmed.
“I distinctly remember watching Perth Glory on TV when I was a child back in Melbourne and thinking that football had arrived in this country when I saw a packed Perth Oval every home game.
“Glory played an exciting and attacking brand of football that had everyone in Perth and greater WA captivated.
“I want to return the club back to the Glory days.
“We want it to be the envy of every other A-League club, just like it was when it was first founded.
“I know that we have a strong football community here in Perth and it’s time to reunite.”
The Pelligra Group is a private, family owned business.
A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia said Pelligra represents a stable owner for Glory.
“Ross is a successful business and football operator, both locally and abroad, and this experience and his passion for the world game is a great asset for Perth Glory and the A-Leagues,” Garcia said.
“We believe that with this new ownership, the future of Perth Glory is in safe hands and we look forward to seeing them deliver success both on and off the pitch.”
Glory’s dire financial situation forced them to ship midfielder Salim Khelifi to Melbourne Victory in January on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Adding to Glory’s woes was the fact they weren’t able to extend Oliver Bozanic’s loan deal in Perth.
But the new ownership means Glory’s hands are no longer tied, with Pelligra keen to invest heavily in the club.
It has also been reported that the WA state government floated a three-pronged investment package to entice Pelligra to take control of the embattled club.
Pelligra was in the stands for Saturday night’s 3-2 home victory over Brisbane Roar.
After the match the new owner spoke about reconnecting with the community.
“I’m looking forward to growing the club back to where it was back in the day, where it felt like it was part of the community.”
“The community feel they own the club. At the end of the day, Perth does belong to the people of Perth but also the whole region. It’s a one-state club and it’s important the whole state gets behind the club.”
Glory remain third last on the ALM table, despite being unbeaten in their past five matches, while the women’s team lie eighth in the ALW.
*With AAP
