Tasmania A-League Bid Concern

Tassie A-League bid concern

BRETT STUBBS

September 05, 2009 09:11am

TASMANIA United fears the FFA's A-League expansion may be put on hold as existing clubs struggle for crowds and finances.

United chairman John McGirr said Tasmania's bid was pushing ahead, raising $100,000 for it's business case so it can lodge a licence proposal.

McGirr said Brisbane Roar was contemplating relocating to a new soccer base after struggling to attract crowds to Suncorp Stadium, and new clubs Gold Coast and North Queensland had both failed to crack the 10,000 mark for a home game attendance.

"We are confident we will get a licence and get a Tasmanian team in because we stack up better than some of the teams already in there but because of the attitude of the FFA, that is out of our control," he said.

"Reading between the lines, they seem to be pulling their horns in a bit as to how gung-ho they are about expansion.

"Whether that is due to the economic downturn last September or whether the existing clubs are not going as well as what they were previously, and I believe they are all struggling to make money, whether or not that has an impact on their thinking is hard to say."

A second Melbourne side and an unknown 12th team are to join the A-League for the 2010-11 season.

Tasmania is battling a Canberra bid underwritten by the ACT Government and two western Sydney consortiums, including one backed by Socceroos captain Lucas Neil.

A third western Sydney group withdrew its bid on Wednesday after failing to provide capital surety.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said: "We've always said we aspire to have 12 teams but every bidder has to meet the financial criteria and we won't issue a licence unless someone meets those requirements.

"We need to see proof of appropriate capital that sustains the operations of the club.

"The consortium that withdrew this week was not able to meet those requirements.

"They knew the hurdles and could not clear them."

-- with AAP

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2009/09/05/95541_soccer.html

Well we are all fearing this eventuality..

i knew Tassie wouldn't be able to get the money of 2012, but in a couple years time...

12 teams will be it. I reckon the A-League won't expand again for another 10 years after this the only thing that may change is another license becomes available if Wellington is kicked out by the AFC

^^^^

I'm not so sure about 10 years. Thinking between 2 years and 5 years. Think about it:

If Western Sydney get accepted, that means Canberra, a perfect bid, gets left in the lurch with all money, community support become nothing.

If Canberra get accepted, that means Western Sydney will be left with no where to go and the FFA will want to get there as soon as possible.

^^^^^^^^^^

and the FFA don't want an odd number of teams..