Casey-Dandenong A-League backers say prospective club is “another Western Sydney Wanderers”

CASEY-Dandenong A-League backers say their prospective club has the passion and community backing to be the competition’s next success story.

City of Casey plans for its Casey Soccer Centre of Excellence at Casey Fields.

CASEY-Dandenong A-League backers say their prospective club is “another Western Sydney Wanderers” waiting to happen.

The heads of three major councils in Melbourne’s booming south-east suburbs — Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia — met for a second time last week to formalise their commitment to an A-League licence bid.

The councils will not run the club, but have been instrumental in starting the process behind the scenes, talking to potential financial backers and organisations interested in helping with its establishment.

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City of Casey plans for its Casey Soccer Centre of Excellence at Casey Fields.

Casey has flagged plans to build a $20m training base at Casey Fields, while Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti wants a boutique stadium built close to Dandenong train station, which is where the team’s home matches will be played.

While the south-eastern suburbs have a population base of about 1.2 million to draw on, the three councils have 32 clubs playing in their municipalities with 4200 registered players in 2016.

Prominent clubs in the area Dandenong City, Dandenong Thunder, Berwick City, Casey Comets, Springvale White Eagles and South Springvale have signalled their intention to support the bid, while it is understood the A-League push has the support of several local politicians.

And Socceroos legend Vince Grella — born in Keysborough — says he is keen to support the licence bid, having met with Memeti last week.

Football Federation Australia was due to release its expansion criteria this month.

The Casey community are hopeful about their chances of starting a new club.

The Casey-Dandenong push will materialise further once that criteria is unveiled, but Memeti said the “super team” proposal is still being worked on in the meantime.

And such is the support levels the team can tap in to, Memeti said he is confident the club could match the fanbase and fervour generated by the Wanderers in their stunning debut season.

“We are realistic about our chances,” Memeti said. “We are a soccer-mad community. Securing the 11th A-League club, in one of Australia’s great soccer heartlands, would tick so many boxes for local residents and the three councils.

“Talk of A-League expansion is creating great excitement. It’s connecting people, families, clubs, businesses and councils to one objective — bringing the A-League to our community.

“We plan to capture this momentum to create the best possible case for south-east Melbourne. We could be the home of another Western Sydney Wanderers.”