Coyne calls for action over soccer home

Former Socceroo Chris Coyne wants the WA soccer community to start "banging on Parliament's door" again to find funding for a home for the game.

Coyne's Bayswater City and fellow NPL WA club Stirling Lions were forced to move this week's FFA Cup fixtures away from their regular home grounds because of inadequate facilities, primarily the lighting.

The matches were played at the WA Athletics Stadium in front of a total of less than 3000 fans, who were more than 30m from the action in the main grandstand because of the running track around the pitch.

Coyne, whose side lost 2-0 to Melbourne Victory on Wednesday, said it was time WA improved its facilities to avoid further embarrassment and continue the game's development.

"As a State we need to get something sorted out," Coyne said.

"Whether it's a home of football or it's in the northern suburbs or southern suburbs, I don't know the answer, but we need to look at it and start banging on Parliament's door and getting things done so we've got flood lights and facilities.

"It's imperative. "It's not about us now, it's about the next generation and building the game in WA."

Early last year, Football West launched a "Home of Football" campaign aimed at generating political support for a central training and administration headquarters.

The campaign, which called for a $20 million funding pledge, hasn't yet succeeded.

Football West chief executive Peter Hugg said the FFA Cup matches had reignited the push.

"The fact that clubs had to pay substantial rental and event costs to play at a stadium principally used for athletics demonstrates the dearth of suitable facilities for the code and has again highlighted the need for a centralised facility for all aspects of the game," Hugg said.

"We have been saying for quite some time now that a Home of Football is essential to the ongoing development of the game from grassroots to the elite local level and this week's events have strengthened that message."

·Bayswater travel to Sorrento today for the final match of the NPL WA regular season. A win will give them the title.

They are two points clear of Perth SC, who visit Cockburn City.

·Perth Glory were drawn away to third-tier Victorian club St Albans Saints in the FFA Cup round of 16 in September. Details will be confirmed on Monday.