Victorian bidders present case for A-League licence

A-League expansion is back on the agenda for next season and the three Victorian bidders for a licence have put forward their selling points.

Greater Dandenong counsellor Jim Memeti and Team 11 ambassador Clint Bolton present the south-east A-League bid. Picture: Penny Stephens

South-East Victorian bid chiefs believe they have the demographic ingredients to form an A-League super club, as expansion returns to the agenda for next season.

Meanwhile, South Melbourne says it won’t cannibalise Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, declaring that its ready-made stadium gives them a head start.

Western Melbourne is plotting to become the first A-League club to own its own matchday venue, insisting it will build a $200 million-plus stadium in Tarneit.

LATE CALL: FOSTER PULLS OUT OF FFA BOARD RACE

VETERAN: MILLIGAN NAMES NEW SOCCEROOS SKIPPER

A-League expansion looks set to be the first point of business for the new Football Federation Australia board post Monday’s annual general meeting.

A 2019 start for the two new teams appears likely after it was set to be delayed until 2020 — with three Victorian clubs to contest for one licence.

While South Melbourne’s rich NSL history is its selling point, Team 11 says a new professional pathway coupled with south-east Victoria’s understated wealth and social challenges — with Dandenong, Frankston North, Doveton and Morwell among the state’s most socially disadvantaged — are recipes for sporting success.

The Greater Dandenong and City of Casey Councils have driven the bid, which now has multi-million-dollars in private backing, and its bid leaders say an A-League club would help galvanise the region.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Dandenong stadium for Team 11’s A-league bid.

“We’ve got people from all backgrounds and from the widest demographic range — (those) who have been very successful in life and people who are struggling and the round ball game can be something that unites all of those interests,’’ Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said.

“When we talk about people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and we know that there are many soccer stars worldwide that have come from very humble beginnings, soccer can be a life-changer for some of them.

“An A-League licence in this region will bring so much in terms of the economy, the society, even the environment — by ensuring you won’t have to travel long distances to go watch a game every second week.”

South bid chief Bill Papastergiadis said his club was ready.

“Now is the time to embrace football in this country and South Melbourne is a key link in this story. Our entry will galvanise a new level of support for the game which will not affect Victory’s or City’s support,’’ he said.

“This is because the club has its own loyal following and has been embraced as the team for the south-east.

“South Melbourne is the complete package and most importantly it’s the only club with a purpose built stadium, social club, function centre and a direct link to the VIS elite sports program.

“Very few of the current A-League clubs can compete with this football matrix.”

Macarthur South-West Sydney, Southern Expansion and a Canberra bid are also vying for the minimum two licences on offer.

VICTORIA’S A-LEAGUE EXPANSION CANDIDATES

TEAM 11

Region: south-east of Springvale Rd.

Municipalities represented: Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, Frankston, Mornington, Monash, Knox, Gippsland.

Population: 1.52 million

Local soccer clubs: 105

Registered players: 22,000

Stadium: proposed 15,000 seats

Funding: Submission made to State Government

WESTERN MELBOURNE

Region: west of Westgate Bridge.

Municipalities represented: Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Mooney Valley, Maribyrnong, Geelong, Ballarat, Surf CoastShire.

Population: 1.4 million.

Local soccer clubs: 77

Registered players: 23,000

Stadium: proposed 15,000 seats

Funding: Self-funded. Land belongs to Wyndham Council.

South Melbourne fans in full voice at Lakeside Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

SOUTH MELBOURNE

Region: City of Port Phillip and surrounds.

Municipalities represented: City of Port Phillip.

Population: 108,558

Ave NPL home crowd: 1200

Local soccer clubs: not available

Registered players: not available

Stadium: Lakeside Stadium, 12,000 capacity (7400 seated)