Victorian bids vie for A-League slot

SOUTHEAST Victorian bid chiefs believe they have the demographic ingredients to form an A-League super club, as expansion returns to the agenda for next season.

Meanwhile, South Melbourne says it won’t cannibalise Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, declaring that its ready-made stadium gives it a head start.

Western Melbourne is plotting to become the first ALeague club to own its own matchday venue, insisting it will build a $200 million-plus stadium in Tarneit.

A-League expansion looks set to be the first point of business for the new Football Federation Australia board after tomorrow’s annual general meeting. A 2019 start for two new teams appears likely after it was set to be delayed until 2020 – with three Victorian clubs to contest for one licence.

While South Melbourne’s rich NSL history is its selling point, Team 11 says a new professional pathway coupled with southeast Victoria’s understated wealth and social challenges – with Dandenong, Frankston North, Doveton and Morwell among the state’s most socially disadvantaged areas – are recipes for sporting success.

The Greater Dandenong and Casey councils have driven the bid, which now has private backing worth millions of dollars, and its bid leaders say an A-League club would help galvanise the region.

“We’ve got people from all backgrounds and from the widest demographic range – (those) who have been very successful in life and people who are struggling, and the round ball game can be something that unites all of those interests,’’ Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said.

“When we talk about people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and we know that there are many soccer stars worldwide that have come from very humble beginnings, soccer can be a life-changer for some of them.”