Socceroo great and Melbourne City striker Tim Cahill has added his voice to the cacophony calling for A-League expansion.
And he’s not afraid of another Melbourne or Victorian club – possibly South Melbourne – coming into the competition on City’s doorstep.
Enthusiasm behind expansion has pushed A-League chiefs to confirm their intent to bring in two teams for the 2018/19 season, with a formal process to be confirmed in the new year.
Cahill said his experience from playing professionally in England, China and the US showed him the 10-team league was too lean.
“There’s not enough teams,” he told Fox Sports, citing the need to develop more young talent.
“The more teams, the more competition, the more players we have coming through and the more of a meat market we have for our young Australians.”
The 37-year-old also said he was against below-par teams playing finals and “getting in the back door and winning the league”, as could happen with a six-team finals series with a 10-team league.
But Cahill’s ambition for the sport was the primary driver behind his support for the expansion process.
“The fans need to be fed an appetite of football. The players do too,” he said.
Where those clubs should be is anyone’s guess – and there have been plenty of guesses – but Cahill said the most important thing was a smart process.
“If there’s another team in Melbourne – no problems. If there’s another team in Sydney – no problems. A team in Tasmania,” he said.
“We need clear criteria for what they can produce so they can have that portfolio and we know what they’ve got to aim for.”
One of the threats to expansion is existing clubs concerned for their own growth attempting to curb the arrival of new sides.
City might have more to worry about than most on that front, given their non-derby matches average below 10,000 people this season – even with Cahill’s arrival.
The veteran striker said he could feel growth in the wings.
“You look at Melbourne Victory and you have to respect what they’ve grown,” he said.
“We’re not in a competition for their fans or trying to take their fans. We’re trying to build our own culture.
“When you win trophies and you win derbies it helps. It’s still very early stages as to where we want to be.
“We’re trying to do it the right way. And its ruffling a few feathers. But it’s not out of disrespect to the league or anything we play against.”
Marco
Guest
Jack is right - the current clubs lose money and splitting the cake more ways in the big cities is a recipe for disaster and the bigger regional towns don't have the financial backing. It is noteworthy that Gallop has promulgated Geelong and Tasmania which are AFL heartland because they have tried all the big regionals in NSW and Qld and have failed or they are teetering...
steve
Guest
TBF, considering NZ are a country aligned with a different conference, I highly doubt the AFC would allow the A League to admit another NZ team in the first place. I would suggest Wellington's days are numbered in the A League anyway.
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
Auckland is not showing the numbers to back an A-league team. But there are a number of places in Australia that are presenting a good case for expansion.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
If only a minority of that majority was willing to pay for it. The FFA's response to Cahill should be 'Well Tim, you're welcome to put in a bid'.
Bob
Guest
there are no fish in Auckland, and if there were they would be foreign fish. Cahill talks about expanding to give australian youth more of a 'meat market" so NZ is not an option on that basis and correctly so
Bruce
Guest
Cockerill who broadcasts for Foxtel and writes for the competition Fairfax sends mixed messages. Expansion means the minnows will struggle more (CCM, Phoenix, Jets) while the big cities dominate with their backing. He also talks up expansion one week (Tasmania without mentioning the motives of Tasmanians trying to force the AFLs hand on expansion and the lack of an economic base) yet plays down Auckland (where the fish are as Gallop would say) by decrying turnout for a Wellington Phoenix game in Auckland without mentioning the antipathy between the 2 cities. His judgements are unsound, he decries the Rugby codes for using islanders without acknowledging most of them are locals and the AFL for having 2 USA and 3 Irishmen in 800 players yet ignores the plethora of foreign players in the A league. He claims that the Townsville Bulletin didnt back the Fury (yet News owns them and Foxtel) and hence fell over when the truth is the exact opposite. Yet this clown gets a regular gig in the herald driving away potential supporters from other codes with his biased unsound views. Tim Cahill is no genius and does not have the requisite background to make sound judgements - its like lets go back to the GC and Townsville - this is not the US where smaller towns with no sporting franchises can take on a mainstream sport team with a salary cap especially when City get a free kick with Cahill
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
The majority of people want an expanded A-league. I'm glad Tim Cahill supports the idea.
Barto
Guest
Well if FFA's good mate Timmy says to expand, you bet they will be expanding. David Gallop was quoted saying "Anything for you Timmy, you are most wise." before kneeling to the floor and grovelling at his feet.
XI
Roar Guru
He wants more teams for City to play on Friday nights