Revealed: The 15 clubs battling for two A-League expansion spots
AT least 15 A-League hopefuls are vying to join the A-League, with leading soccer figures declaring large-scale expansion would inject “billions” into Australian soccer. SEE THE CONTENDERS
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AT least 15 A-League hopefuls are vying to join the A-League, with leading soccer figures declaring large-scale expansion would inject “billions” into Australian soccer.
Northern Territory is the only state/territory not represented come the first expansion deadline (Expression of Interest) on Thursday.
Multiple bids are coming from Victoria, NSW and Queensland, while Canberra, Tasmania, Fremantle and Adelaide clubs/consortiums are making submissions, as calls grow louder for a professional second division.
Football Federation Australia vowed to announce two new expansion clubs for 2019-20 by October 31, but A-League clubs have urged the governing body to consult with them amid the FIFA governance cloud still hanging over the game.
A-League chief Greg O’Rourke confirmed the mass expansion interest.
“With the EOI deadline looming on the 24th, we can confirm that we have had 15 registrations already which represent every state or territory in Australia except the Northern Territory. We look forward to progressing to our formal RFP stage with the knowledge that the demand for an expansion licence is strong,” O’Rourke said.
BELOW: EVERY TEAM IN A-LEAGUE EXPANSION RACE
The players’ union chief executive John Didulica declared that calculated expansion could transform the game into a “billion-dollar” industry.
“Expanding our professional footprint would create opportunities for footballers, coaches and administrators, whilst creating a platform for communities throughout Australia who aspire to be represented by an elite football club. Without doing so, it’ll become increasingly challenging to be internationally competitive,” Didulica said.
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“Building a professional footprint capable of achieving these objectives over the next decade through A-League expansion and a second tier of competition is probably a billion-dollar investment by the industry.”
A-League clubs’ (APFCA) chairman Greg Griffin said they were eager to expand aggressively.
“We support expansion. Ideally, within 4-5 years we want to see the competition run independently with 16 teams,’’ Griffin said.
“The current process we’re not supportive of simply because they haven’t been consulted with us in any meaningful way. With likely changes to the (FFA) Congress, it’s inappropriate to award new licenses when the landscape of the game could be entirely different in November 2018.
“We want expansion but we want to ensure they’re in the right place and right location – good for A-League, works for existing clubs and financial terms are for the benefit of A-League and not FFA revenues.
“The general feeling amongst clubs is that the next two expansion teams will most likely be located somewhere in Sydney and Melbourne.
“The second division is absolutely in play.”
FFA EXPANSION TIMELINES
EOI submission due — 24 May 2018
Confirmation of short-listed bidders — June 2018
Release of Request for Proposal — 11 June 2018
Deadline for submission of proposals — 31 August 2018
Announcement — 31 October 2018
THE CONTENDERS
VICTORIA
“TEAM 11” (SOUTH-EAST VICTORIA)
Population: 1,500,000
Stadium: New stadium next to Dandenong Station (Casey Fields training base)
Products: Vince Grella, Eugene Galekovic, Jackson Irvine, Bailey Wright, Scott McDonald
Dream signing: Jackson Irvine
Shrewd signing: Scott McDonald
Ideal coach: Harry Kewell/Ante Milicic
Local councils (Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia Shire), local businesses.
A clear geographic divide from Victory and City plus a massive football supporter/player base to work with in a region deprived of a professional club.
SOUTH MELBOURNE
Membership: 9100
Stadium: Lakeside Stadium (12,000)
Products: Ange Postecoglou, Paul Trimboli, Con Boutsianis, George Christopoulos
Dream signing: Andreas Samaris
Shrewd signing: Georgios Samaras
Ideal coach: John Anastasiadis
The four-time NSL champions are eager to return to the national stage and have made some serious noise for the past two years. Lakeside Stadium is a picturesque home.
WESTERN MELBOURNE
Population: 1,000,000
Stadium: Proposed new 15,000-seat stadium in Wyndham
Products: Josip Skoko, Mathew Leckie, Matthew Spiranovic, Steve Horvat
Dream signing: Matthew Spiranovic
Shrewd signing: Adrian Leijer
Ideal coach: Josip Skoko
Repositioned as a western Melbourne club after emanating as a Geelong-based bid. A newly built stadium will be the cornerstone in this fast growing corridor.
BELGRAVIA LEISURE
Population: 4,000,000 (Melbourne)
Stadium: TBC
Former Melbourne Victory chairman Geoff Lord, who was linked to Wollongong Wolves, is believed to be launching an 11th hour bid from Melbourne.
TASMANIA
Population: 520,000
Stadium: North Hobart Oval (18,000)
Dream signing: Tim Cahill
Shrewd signing: Nathaniel Atkinson
Ideal coach: Harry Kewell
Bankrolled by former Victory shareholders Robert Belteky and Harry Stamoulis, the Tasmania bid has government support amid the AFL’s reluctance to enter.
NSW
SOUTH-WEST SYDNEY (LIVERPOOL)
Population: 550,000
Stadium: TBC
Dream signing: Mario Balotelli
Shrewd signing: Mile Jedinak
Ideal coach: Ante Milicic/Mark Rudan
An exclusively local-based consortium, which is negotiating to buy a share in Wellington Phoenix, with financial backing and headed by Gino Marra.
MACARTHUR BID (CAMPBELLTOWN)
Population: 550,000
Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Ground (20,000)
Dream signing: Fernando Torres
Shrewd signing: Tomi Juric
Ideal coach: Ante Milicic/Mark Rudan
Although a slight geographic divide from the above bid, a merger appears logical. Backed by billionaire property developer Lang Walker, with Socceroos great Brett Emerton joining as ambassador.
SOUTHERN EXPANSION (SUTHERLAND-ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA)
Population: 750,000
Stadium: Shark Park (22,000), Jubilee Oval Kogarah (20,000), WIN Stadium Wollongong (23,000)
Dream signing: Andres Iniesta
Shrewd signing: Daniel Arzani
Ideal coach: Harry Kewell
Former Socceroo Craig Foster and ex-NSW premier Morris Iemma headline the group backed by Hong Kong-listed investors, Jiayuan property group, who want to build their own stadium.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Population: 320,000
Stadium: WIN Stadium (23,000)
Dream signing: Adam Federici
Shrewd signing: Luke Wilkshire
Ideal coach: Nick Theodorakopoulos
The former NSL champions are in the midst of a turf war with Southern Expansion over the Illawarra region. But the crowds have showed up for FFA Cup games.
ACT
CANBERRA
Population: 400,000
Stadium: Canberra Stadium (25,000)
Dream signing: Tom Rogic
Shrewd signing: Keisuke Honda
Ideal coach: Josip Simunic
Launching a late bid, and believed to have private Canberra-based backers. Many hold the view that Australia’s capital should have A-League representation.
QUEENSLAND
BRISBANE CITY
Membership: 2000
Stadium: Ballymore Stadium (19,000 — needs to be redeveloped)
Dream signing: Gianluigi Buffon
Shrewd signing: Kenny Dougall
Ideal coach: Thomas Broich
Led by well-connected former politician Robert Cavallucci, Brisbane City has claims to being the strongest bid from Queensland, although much hinges on a Ballymore redevelopment.
GOLD COAST UNITED
Membership: 1200
Stadium: Robina Stadium (27,000 capacity)
Dream signing: Tommy Oar
Shrewd signing: Michael Thwaite
Ideal coach: Paul Okon
Remnants of the defunct Gold Coast United, although it has nothing to do with Clive Palmer. Same colours, similar logo and a core of fans who want to return to the A-League.
WESTERN PRIDE/IPSWICH
Membership: 1400
Stadium: Revamped North Ipswich Reserve (currently 5000 capacity)
Dream signing: Neil Kilkenny
Shrewd signing: Dylan Wenzel-Halls
Ideal coach: Mike Mulvey
Queensland’s reigning NPL champions, who went quiet amid a local political scandal, but they made be launching an 11th hour bid backed by foreign investors.
WA
FREMANTLE
Population: 40,000 / Members: 1100
Stadium: nib Stadium (20,500)
Dream signing: Gianluigi Buffon
Shrewd signing: Brad Jones
Ideal coach: Fabio Capello
Fremantle would create a geographic divide and the new Perth Stadium (to be completed in 2018) will be ideal for derbies. Long-term they would look at redeveloping Fremantle Oval.
SA
ADELAIDE II
Population: 1.3 million
Stadium: Coopers Stadium (15,000)
Dream signing: Andres Iniesta
Shrewd signing: Franck Ribery
Ideal coach: Aurelio Vidmar
West Adelaide has submitted a bid, with fellow former NSL club Adelaide City keen to pursue a spot in the second division.
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