Australia NewsFFA Ruling On 12 Teams By Xmas |
EXCLUSIVE: Football Federation Australia is expected to make a decision on further A-League expansion by Christmas as the fight for spots eleven and twelve hots up.
Victoria’s Southern Cross FC bid team has been told it will learn its fate some time between October and December after presenting its pitch to FFA bosses this week.Bid spokesman Jim Mellas said the bid team emerged buzzing from a two-hour meeting and that it was felt that all the necessary boxes had been ticked.
The Southern Cross team, which now includes SBS broadcaster Les Murray and Paul McNamee as advisors, remains adamant the state can accommodate two A-League sides.
Mellas told au.fourfourtwo.com today: “We came out of the presentation with the FFA feeling very positive and that we had put forward a compelling proposal.
“We’ve been told to expect a decision some time between October and December. There will be further discussion before then.”
The Southern Cross bid insist finance is not an issue for their franchise although details of just who is providing the backing is being kept under wraps.
Mellas said the coming weeks would see the bid reveal further details, including the player development pathway which would be a unique feature of the new club.
“We want to create an environment where youngsters can progress through the club,” he said.
The Southern Cross FC bid will utilise the soon-to-be redeveloped infrastructure at the new state athletics centre based at Albert Park.
The new facilities will include football administration and operations facilities, world class gymnasium, training and sports science facilities, a 15,000 seat stadium with additional training pavilion for juniors, womens’ and youth leagues along with multiple synthetic and natural grass training pitches, a restaurant and retail precinct.
Match day games will be played at the new Olympic Park stadium. If successful, the new Southern Cross FC team will enter the A-League for 2010/2011.
Mellas said: “Today’s news (expansion to 10 teams) gives Queensland three representatives in the A-League, New South Wales also has three and we believe we have what it takes to be Victoria’s second representative.
“We think there is room for two sides from this state and don’t see a second team having an adverse effect on the existing Melbourne Victory franchise.
“There is the potential there for some real derby occasions. Melbourne Victory against Sydney FC has attracted 50,000 fans and we believe two Victorian teams can really capture the imagination, perhaps even some occasions at the MCG?
“There is a lot of work going on, a lot work has already been done on this and I think we were able to demonstrate our strategic plan to the FFA.”
No decision has yet been taken in terms of management and playing personnel but Mellas admitted it was a topic under discussion.
“We have got certain ideas on the sort of people we want to be involved,” he said.
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