Brisbane Strikers pull out of A-League expansion race citing lack of confidence in FFA process

FORMER National Soccer League champions the Brisbane Strikers have pulled out of the A-League expansion race.

Nathan Archbold Brisbane Strikers

FORMER National Soccer League champions the Brisbane Strikers have pulled out of the A-League expansion race.

Expressions of Interest to be part of an expanded 2019-20 A-League season and beyond are to be lodged by Thursday with Football Federation Australia, and the Strikers had been expected to submit their application.

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However the Strikers, who currently play in the NPL Queensland competition, have slammed FFA’s expansion process in deciding not to lodge a bid.

“Many important financial aspects of the expansion process, and the expectations around ongoing criteria, are neither clear nor specific and do not allow for appropriate financial and strategic planning in many areas for the ongoing entity,” the Strikers said in a statement.

Japanese fullback Hiroki Omori celebrates a goal for the Brisbane Strikers in the NPL Queensland competition last year.

“The confidence of our investment group in the financial sustainability has therefore been significantly eroded. As such, this group will not commit to funding such a process.”

The Strikers claim to have “completed all preparations for the expression of interest … aligning with our stated mission to compete at the highest possible level of competition” on the proviso that the competition was “financially sustainable”.

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“The bid was well capitalised through Brisbane-based businessmen with a passion for football and the community, and managed by an experienced group of football administrators with a wide range of experience at all levels of the game,” the statement said.

“We believed participation in the A-League to be a natural progression for the club with our commitment to high standards, and it would contribute further to the development of local footballers, along with the growth of the A-league and the game as a whole.

Nathan Archbold in action for the Brisbane Strikers this year.

“This created the potential to engage and unify the Brisbane football community by co-designing a club structure through extensive consultation and engagement with that community. In turn, this would have supported stronger relationships with government commercial partners, community and other stakeholders.”

The Strikers’ proposal also included plans to redevelop their Bowen Hills home ground Perry Park into 15,000-capacity boutique stadium.

Queensland’s A-League expansion bids are set to come from Brisbane City, Western Pride, Gold Coast United and possibly the Sunshine Coast.

Originally published as Brisbane Strikers pull out of A-League expansion race citing lack of confidence in FFA process