South states strong A-League case

AS D-Day looms nearer for ALeague expansion hopefuls, South Melbourne is positioning itself as the best readymade club to hit the ground running.

FFA’s recently elected board is due to meet next week to make in-principle recommendation on which clubs to add to the competition, from a shortlist in six.

NSL powerhouse South Melbourne and start-up clubs Team 11 and Western Melbourne are the three bids from Victoria, the state seen as certain to be granted an additional license as the ALeague grows to 12 teams.

Elsewhere, southwestern Sydney and Southern Expan- sion are duelling in NSW, with Canberra United attempting to join from the nation’s capital.

That decision could be made as soon as December 12, or in the weeks following as other conditions are met.

A complicated matrix of factors sit behind FFA’s decision making, including the license fee being offered, stadiums, supporter bases and broadcast costs. No bid ticks all the boxes, but South believe they come closest.

“We will electrify the ALeague,” bid spokesperson Bill Papastergiadis said. “We’re feeling confident because we’re the only club that’s ready to come in at a high level immediately.

“We’ve got the best youth program in Australia. We’re five-times women’s champions. And we’ve got the fans.

“We set all of the NSL attendance records and we’re going to set them again in the A-League with derbies against Melbourne Victory and City.”

Given FFA are still eager to inject teams into the competition next October, South Melbourne can lay sole claim to a ready-made stadium in Lakeside Stadium.

Focus group research commissioned by the bid reveals South is the best known and most well-supported bid, with recognition levels in Victoria that outstrip some interstate A-League clubs.