Expansion on the FFA's menu for 2017-18 season.
Geelong, South Melbourne and Casey-Dandenong line up, but where in Australia will the A-League’s next club come from?Matt Windley and David Davutovic, Herald Sun
November 20, 2016 A-LEAGUE expansion is the hottest topic among soccer fans around the country, with Football Federation Australia set to add two new teams in the coming seasons.
In Victoria we’re no different, with three potential teams coming out of the woodwork.
This week the Herald Sun revealed a bid by former National Soccer League powerhouse South Melbourne to become Victoria’s third A-League club, while Geelong and Melbourne’s southeast — namely the Casey-Dandenong region — have also thrown their hats in to the ring.
Nationwide, Tasmania has also submitted a bid, there is interest in yet another Sydney team while bidders from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are emerging in attempts to become their city’s second team.
With David Gallop’s oft-repeated quote of the FFA seeking to “fish where the fish are” in regards to expansion, it seems not a matter of if, rather when, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City will have another Victorian rival in town.
But what — or where — should that team be?
WHO HAS PUT THEIR HAND UP?■ Victoria:
> South Melbourne: South’s want A-League gig next season
> Geelong: Consortium meets with FFA over Geelong A-League bid
> Casey-Dandenong: Power clubs unite to push for A-League licence
■ Queensland:
> Brisbane Strikers
■ New South Wales:
> South-West Sydney
> Southern Sydney
> Wollongong
■ South Australia:
> West Adelaide
■ Western Australia:
> Perth II
■ Tasmania
THE CANDIDATES FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA■ TASMANIA
Population: 515,000
Stadium: North Hobart Oval (18,000)
Bankrolled by two former Melbourne Victory shareholders, the Tasmania bid has government support, a ground and has already met with FFA.
■ BRISBANE STRIKERS
Membership: 1000
Stadium: Perry Park (5000 – needs to be redeveloped)
Former A-League coach Miron Bleiberg associated with a serious bid by the former National Soccer League champion.
Socceroo Scott McDonald hails from Melbourne’s southeast.
■ SOUTH-WEST SYDNEY (CAMPBELLTOWN-LIVERPOOL)
Population: 400,000
Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Ground (20,000)
The southwest corridor is NSW’s fastest growing region with a love of soccer, an ideal stadium and 50km away from Wanderland (Parramatta Stadium).
■ SOUTHERN SYDNEY
Population: 360,000
Stadium: Shark Park (22,000)
Lined up to replace Wellington before FFA backflipped. The Sutherland Shire has Australia’s most registered players and a perfect stadium.
■ WOLLONGONG
Population: 290,000
Stadium: WIN Stadium (23,000)
Has the history, has the fervent supporter base and every time an A-League or FFA Cup game is played there the crowds turn out in droves.
■WEST ADELAIDE
Membership: 800
Stadium: Coopers Stadium (15,000)
The only serious hand up thus far to become Adelaide’s second team and they’ve sounded out Robbie Fowler to become coach.
■ PERTH II
Population: 2,000,000
Stadium: nib Stadium (20,500)
Fremantle would create a geographic divide and the new Perth Stadium (to be completed in 2018) will be ideal for derbies, seating 65,000.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/a-league/geelong-south-melbourne-and-caseydandenong-line-up-but-where-in-australia-will-the-aleagues-next-club-come-from/news-story/5ed7533a84b9696534352e11423d1f04
