Expansion talk in the A-League continues. But who will eventually be chosen?
For those who may not know me, I run a football show on 2GLF 89.3FM in Liverpool, New South Wales. Recently I’ve been interviewing representatives from the expansion bids. Overall it was a rather enjoyable experience as I got to know the different football regions of this country.
Most bids were ecstatic to come on the program and were easily contactable. Off course there were a couple of exceptions to the rule, yet overall it was a fascinating and enjoyable experience. But, what did I learn?
1. Canberra
A genuine grassroots movement our program fell in love with straight away, some of our panellists even became foundation members.
Their ability to sign 5000-plus foundation members and gain genuine grassroots interaction was awe-inspiring.
Their ability to make our program feel a part of their bid, despite living in another state was indicative of how the club wanted to be branded. With an already established W-League team, it only makes sense logistically to have Canberra.
With the Wanderers, Sydney FC, Mariners, Newcastle gaining another easily accessible away game. The real question is why isn’t there an A-League team in our nation’s capital already?
2. Southern expansion
Before the Sydney FC fans heckle and boo me, hear me out. While I was initially sceptical of the idea and concerned about over-saturating the NSW market with A-league teams, this bid won me over.
I didn’t think we needed a third Sydney Derby. However, Craig Foster’s common sense approach to administration, plus the former premier Morris Iemma’s genuine love for our game convinced me this needed to happen now.
Also, the bids genuine concern about the player’s welfare and their education was a standout. Teaming up with the University of Wollongong and creating state of the art Health Science/ training facility was a game changer in my mind.
3. Team 11 (Dandenong)
The family/community club that punches above its weight is the feeling we got when we spoke to this bid. Again, it’s community consultation has been genuine and interactions with potential business prospects realistic.
It’s not promising over the top facilities, in fact, it’s pledged to work closely with community groups and local councils in the region.
The bid’s location is far enough from the current Melbourne teams to be competitive. You can see the locals’ genuine excitement, about a potential A-League team being in their area on their social media accounts.
Where to now for the A-League? (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
4. Western Melbourne Group (Geelong)
The new mega-club I have mixed feelings about. While I was initially impressed with the bid, It seemed like West Melbourne matched any other bids promises to keep relevant.
However, With Lou Sicca and Tribal sports group onboard they have the potential to be a world class club if they get given the green light.
Do we need another A-League club trying to pretend to be a Barcelona, when we need an A-League club to be a community club? If Western Melbourne is admitted into the A-league, I am sure they will be successful on and off the pitch.
5. Western Pride (Ipswich)
This club proved to be an exciting addition. The supposed brainchild of David Gallop, however, the fear of this bid ending up like the North Queensland Fury or Gold Coast won’t disappear, and it’s a genuine fear to have. I remain a bit more optimistic about it though.
If football wants to be the number one code in this country, we need to attack the heartland of rugby league. This bid is an exciting concept, especially for indigenous player development.
While I don’t think this bid is ready now, I would check in in another 5-10 years, to see if another Queensland regional team is prepared for the A-League.
6. Wollongong Wolves
This bid was contacted via Twitter and email, and I got no response back. The Wolves have a long history in Australia and should have been in the top flight from day one.
However, not much has come out of the camp regarding their A-League plans, their facilities or any critical information.
This inability to communicate their vision concerned me and maybe in another five years, they might be ready, but, not now.
I genuinely hope they put aside any differences, be professional and consider joining forces with the Southern Expansion bid, to ensure that area is represented in the Australian top flight.
7. South Melbourne FC
While we didn’t get to speak to this bid, it’s double-edged opinion on whether it wants to be a part of the A-league, worries me.
South Melbourne Fans and some officials have been questioning the clubs identity. Questions continuously get raised about whether the nationalisation of football in Australia, was a good idea by the club.
Until such time South Melbourne are no longer protagonists in this equation; I can’t ethically support their admission to the A-league.
Despite their historical significance to our game, most South Melbourne Supporters would agree with me in saying, they’re ‘against Modern Football’, so I don’t understand why they would want admission to a modern competition like the A-league?
I think the board need to make a final discussion about their identity and stick to it. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
8. South Western Sydney/ Combined Macarthur bid
This bid didn’t respond to invitations to come on a radio show in their local area. There have been no community consultations and concerns were raised about alleged relationship ties members of the bid team have with Sydney FC and Apia Leichardt.
It was also reported that an MOU was signed with the Wellington Phoenix to play some games In New Zealand. A proposal which didn’t go down well with locals.
Despite all this, our program wanted to speak to members of the bid team, to get all this clarified. Plus to give locals assurances that South West Sydney was indeed a genuine bid.
I sincerely hoped that a member of the bid team would speak to us to motivate not only the presenters of our program but, inspire our listeners to become foundation members.
My picks
I think Canberra and Southern Expansion will get the nod, however, if a third Sydney club is too politically hot for the FFA. I wouldn’t be surprised if Canberra and Western Melbourne Group got admitted.
As much as we love Team 11, I think it will be hard for the FFA to skip past the Western Melbourne group, with who’s involved with the bid and the bids potential to get immediate results.
Onside
Roar Rookie
Hi Nick, with all due respect "I don’t see South Melbourne ever becoming part of the A-League with their nationalistic background"???? Enough already. South Melbourne is Australian.
Jonno
Guest
Southern expansion are very good at spinning BS the have no fans no one region they are slap bang in the middle of Sydney fc territory the ave no stadium and are banking on three regions to join them .the south coast ash spoken southern can get stuffed .the south coast belongs to Wollongong wolves fc .its wolves ir nothing not travelling two hours to Sydney to watch some stupid Sydney bid .
Jonno
Guest
No way will we in the south coast support a Sydney team I live two hours away from Sydney in the south coast .its not my team southern Sydney is that a Sydney team never will be .its Wollongong wolves or nothing.
Jonno
Guest
Either we do what's best for the fans the league and we win or we do what's best for Foxtel who most likely won't have he league rights next time round and force the game to continue to stagnate if another Melbourne and Sydney team are picked .its not what the fans want .expansion to new markets not same old .
rolly
Guest
Southern expansion have blocked all wollongong wolves supporters from commenting on their Facebook page . over two thousand of us have been blocked by southern sydney Facebook page they won't let us have our say.dispicable group never support them never
rolly
Guest
Meant to read a region of six hundred thousand not six hundred bigger than central coast .
Rolly
Guest
Well,said. wolves 4. Alegaue .southern can get stuffed
Rolly
Guest
Th e wolves have explain d their vision one city one team one region one community club with a massive junior set up three south coast associations will be their feeder club no other bid can offer that a women's team ready for the. Aleague in the illawarra stingrays business men on the board an alliance with the university of Wollongong sports science facilities huge community support a region of six hundred people the wolves have history real fans a real stadium the infrastructure is there WIn stadium is for their sole use in the summer months it's the best bid by far .
Tommy
Guest
Southern expansion can go get stuffed it's Wollongong wolves or nothing .nsw third largest city deserves its own team hell we are a bigger region than central coast twice as big we deserve our own team .sydney never ever .
Rolly
Guest
What are you on about just becuase they didn't talk to you you rule them out .they are a legitimate bid best bid by far with an exclusive region of six hundred thousand it's a one city one region team a community team with massively support on the south coast .if FFA are fair sinoumdinkum the wolves bid is the best but corruption will rule ams Sydney and Melbourne will win
Rolly
Guest
On geography the south coast is the only new market with Wollongong wolves having exclusive ownership the wolves for. Aleague deserve a spot one city one region one team one new market and Win corporation behind them
Rolly
Guest
What re you talking about the wolves have everything in place even football south coast is behin their bid we stadium is there's for the taking the new board is stacked with business men including two from Win corporation .just b cause they didn't go on your show .get real the only real bid that meets all criteria is wollongong every other bid is a fantasy bid with nothing in place
Rolly
Guest
Same here wolves 4 aleague the south coast team .aotuhern and soansion can get stuff south coast will never support. Sydney team
Rolly
Guest
Best FFA crowd to date stil, nelings to the wolves .wolves four A league
Rolly
Guest
The only bid tha makes sense is wollongong wolves its a one city one team one region one new market it has everything set up juniors a women's team and aone of the best stadiums in the country in WIn stadium its a real bid not fantasy bid .the people of the south coast support the wolves .we will never support a Sydney team we are nsw third largest city its wolves or nothing no other bid has the infrastructure ready and real fans and history or a real exclusive area .wolves for A league.should be frat on the list .
Raj
Guest
How about all these bids play out to launch the second division! The top 2 being promoted... there would be good support I think existing clubs with a culture are the best options... Wollongong and South Melbourne.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"As for which team will get the nod from Melbourne I believe it is a coin toss between Western Melbourne or Team 11 in Dandenong. Again these bids have the monetary backing and political connections and honestly I don’t see South Melbourne ever becoming part of the A-League with their nationalistic background." - EXCLUSIVE: A-LEAGUE HOPEFULS ACCUSED OF WAGE THEFT https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/exclusive-a-league-hopefuls-accused-of-wage-theft-513875/page0
Graeme Anderson
Roar Rookie
As someone who resides in Brisbane and was a season ticket holder with the Roar until personal circumstances forced me to relinquish these I would have loved to see a second Brisbane team and a derby but until we get an upgraded Ballymore or Perry Park it won't happen. Suncorp is probably the best football stadium in the country when full but it is too big for regular season. My second hope was that Canberra and Wollongong would get the nod as areas that don't have teams currently but have good footballing history and grassroots movements. I don't see it happening though just because of the lack of money, population and glamour those franchises bring. Which brings me to Sydney and Melbourne which will undoubtedly be where the two new clubs are situated. You seem to have a bias against those who slighted your show which is fair enough but SWS is politically connected and backed by big money as well as having a consolidation of two solid bids. Southern expansion came on your show but they are maligned by the powerful Sydney FC, half their potential supporter base in Wollongong and pretty much every neutral including me. SWS is a shoe-in over Southern Expansion. As for which team will get the nod from Melbourne I believe it is a coin toss between Western Melbourne or Team 11 in Dandenong. Again these bids have the monetary backing and political connections and honestly I don't see South Melbourne ever becoming part of the A-League with their nationalistic background. The most disappointing thing out of this expansion talk is Tasmania didn't even get through to the second round. If we want to be a truly national sport then that was the ideal opportunity for expansion. There is no professional football code permanently based in the state and I feel if the A-League gave them a team it would garner the support to justify the risk.
Dart
Guest
Also, there are a few sites that promote a Canberra A-League club, in addition to the official one. Canberra United's (5,263) numbers alone would shoot them up into fourth spot.
Timber Tim
Guest
When you see on Southern Expansions facebook page that they won't even bother responding to genuine concerns about who they represent then this is an issue especially when it is obvious that Wollongong will receive only token service from this club that deep down really wants to represent Southern Sydney. Question to Wollongong fans do you want a full time team that will play home games every 2nd week or a supposed super club with 3 home venues that will see home games once every 6 weeks? I wish the Southern Expansion bid team can clarify the Wollongong situation.