Two groups have announced their intention to play in the A-League, should the FFA expand the competition next season.
Tasmania and South Melbourne have both assembled strong bids with all the requirements to field an A-League team seemingly met.
While some other groups bidding for a spot are seeking time to pull together a team, both Tasmania and South Melbourne are determined to field a team in the next A-League season.
Both present very different offers, with Tasmania looking to assemble a brand new team, while South Melbourne brings a 50-year history to the competition.
The Tasmanian group recently met with the FFA to discuss the merits of the proposal.
The bid is strongly backed by the Tasmanian government and the state football federation, with North Hobart Oval reportedly the most likely home ground for the club.
Tasmania is the only state in Australia that does not have a professional team in any of the four Australian football codes. The state is not known for its footballing prowess, but Wanderers keeper Jerrad Tyson and former Mariners youth Jesse Curran were both raised on the island.
It is unknown whether the FFA will allow a team to enter as soon as next season, but South Melbourne are certainly pushing as hard as Tasmania to enter the competition as soon as possible.
The South Melbourne bid relies heavily on the FFA being open to the idea of promoting a team from the NPL, something that hasn’t been done in the A-League’s history. The club has all the necessary capital to purchase an A-League license but also brings with it a set of fans, something no new club will be able to bring immediately.
Add to that their facilities, team and club management, and there is very little need to add anything more, making the FFA’s job that much easier.
South Melbourne will propose an official bid later this month. If it was to be accepted, they could create a highly competitive environment in Melbourne football, with three clubs, all with a unique identity, going head to head.
Melbourne Victory will represent the strongest supported club, Melbourne City the most financially well off and South Melbourne, the club with the largest history.
The club’s roster already boasts former A-League players including Matthew Foschini, Matt Millar, Bradley Norton and Nikola Roganovic. Current New Zealand international Luke Adams is also a part of their side.
The club is one of the most popular NPL sides in Australia and has either been minor or major premiers for the last three seasons.
Both teams will likely get a better idea of when they can enter the competition in the new year.
Nemesis
Guest
For a competition that is derided as low quality, with no superstars and low TV ratings ... there seems to be lots of interest in joining. This would be massive - Council & clubs support and a new boutique stadium planned The 6 biggest football clubs in Casey-Dandenong want to unite behind a local push for an A-League licence with boutique stadium planned for the area Story: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/caseydandenong-soccer-clubs-ready-to-unite-behind-local-push-for-an-aleague-license/news-story/91400c4396bba2fe4b13349a401c34a8
c
Guest
then call it south melbourne swans
Timmuh
Roar Guru
That would kill any chance of a successful bid. North Hobart Oval is a small playing surface by the standards of grounds used for Australian Football anyway, shoving some temporary seats on the grass at the eastern end would suffice. Even as an oval its smaller than many grounds with athletics tracks on the outside. Think something like North Sydney Oval and you're not far off. NHO would be a bit bigger but not by much.
Timber Tim
Guest
Need to allow some room for growth for casual fans attending rather than turn people away. Happy medium then 12,500 but they do need a rectagular stadium as part of the bid for the medium long term planning.
pete4
Guest
Sorry double post
pete4
Guest
That's assuming Lakeside stadium becomes an approved A-League venue. Reportedly the A-League expansion criteria will also focus on what the prospective club can bring to the league: "The framework will focus on two aspects - the financial viability of the proposed club, and the club's capacity to provide "benefits" to the A-League and the sport at large"
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Good to see the Tasm,anian bid is looking at North Hobart, instead of bellerive like the previous bid. That was crazy, especially with the xoccer pitch impeding onto the cricket pitch square in summer. No way was CA going to allow that. North Hobart makes much more sense, if the Hobart City Council can be persuaded to pay for lights. I still can't see it working, especially with no ground in the north that can even be made suitable. (Yes, I know games have been played at York Park, but its a huge playing surface and has all the viewing problems of the MCG.) It would have to be a pure Hobart team, and there isn't the population or the money to make that sustainable. There's no money in the north of the state either, even less than Hobart, but would double the population catchment. And Devonport got reasonable crowds in terrible conditions in the FFA Cup, though they would have been drawing support from right along the north-west coast. South Melbourne looks an obvious pick, although I believe they have gone back to their Greek roots somewhat since the end of the NSL. At least they have some difference from Victory, and a pretty solid proven support base. Growing that base would be the tricky part for them.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I would have thought the Lakeside Oval is near perfect given Hellas have a long term lease on it. Just listening to a spokesman for the Tassie bid on SEN radio. Point he is making: 1. government support 2. no competition from other sports 3. AFL takes state for granted, a lot of disenchantment about that in Tassie SEN asking whether a Tassie club could enter a 2nd division. Tassie needs to step up because loses soccer players to Melbourne clubs in the NPL, that might mean a 2nd division type of set up.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
pete A hellas spokesman gave an extensive interview on SEN radio the other day. Because they have total control of the Lakeside Oval, they break even with an attendance as low as 1,500. I actually see bringing the Lakeside Oval into the equation as a point of difference and a positive. Of all the other bids being spoken about, hellas is so far ahead of the game it's not funny.
Fadida
Guest
6-8k would be enough
Republican
Guest
......& the Nations Capital? Again, abject national denial that a capital called Canberra exists.
steve
Guest
I have a problem with point 6, and I would assume that the FFA will have a problem with point 6 too. " Marketing itself to ethnics and immigrants" ? What you have written there, or maybe its the way you have written it, I read it as " white people, dont bother supporting us, we dont want you to support our club". That's exactly the ethnic thing the FFA wanted to avoid when setting up the A League. If this is how SMFC will market itself, then you can almost guarantee they wont ever be included in the A League.
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Kind of like the central coast of nsw? You know. The team that's won a comp, produced plenty of socceroos &a is always labeled as punching above their weight? I don't like the idea of bringing in an ethnic team to Hal. It's just not worth the hassle, regardless of their existing supporter base. The days of Sth melb hellas or makadonia FC or Melbourne croatia etc are over.
At work
Roar Rookie
Neither Tassie or South Melbourne have suitable stadiums. Lakeside is halfway there, but needs stands on the ends and also at least the camera angle side to be brought up to the field. i.e lost the running track. Otherwise I don't mind the idea of South Melbourne, it has history which is nice
Timber Tim
Guest
My only concern with the Tasmananian Bid is suitable boutique stadium. While they may play at North Hobart Oval if successful long term I hope their is a condition on entry that they need to look at funding a new purpose built rectangular stadium (10-15,000 seater) that could long term build a legacy for the game in Tasmania should they be awarded a licence. Thats one big question I would hope gets answered.
pete4
Guest
It sounds like South Melbourne bid is heavily dependent on staying at Albert Park (which is fine for NPL level) If SMFC officials believe they can get more support than City well AAMI Park only up the road should be their home ground too in that case
Billary Swamper
Guest
South Melbourne has history BUT IT IS BAD HISTORY. Just NO!
The Word
Guest
Three Italian names there... but is there any evidence that non-Greeks are made to feel not apart of the club? This is the key....you would obviously expect that Greeks would still predominantly constitute those that pursue leadership roles at the club. Greek names are a minority in their playing stocks
Fadida
Guest
I must admit being opposed to the inclusion of the old ethic NSL teams. South do look like a club ready to step straight in though. No FFA funding required. Stadium ready. Support there. A very solid 11th club.
Franko
Guest
"The key question to ask is “is the club inclusive now”?" - INDEED Let's take a look at the board.... Leo Athanasakis – President Nick Galatas – Chairman Mario Vinaccia – Secretary Peter Parthimos – Treasurer Nick Maikousis – Director of Football / Corporate Sales Gabrielle Giuliano – Director of Women’s Football / General Business Andrew Mesourouni – Head of Youth Football and Development Bill Papastergiadis – Legal / Public Relations Tony Margaritis – Membership / Merchandise / General Business