A-league bidder urges open mindedness

Western Sydney bidder urges consideration before FFA hand out licence

Backers of one of the bids for the 12th franchise in next season's revamped A-League competition urged Football Federation Australia yesterday to seriously consider its options before jumping to a decision.

The Greater Western Sydney Football Group says it has not given up the fight to represent western Sydney despite reports that a group led by business executive and former National Soccer League player Ian Rowden, and partly backed by FFA, will be handed the licence before the end of the month.

"We are the only credible bid with links to the football community from grassroots up to Football NSW," GWSFG chairman Joe Pinto said.

"Despite what we have read in the media lately, we'd like to believe we are still in with a huge chance of pulling this off. Our dealings with FFA have been excellent and we have received nothing but praise and encouragement.

"We certainly don't consider we are being strung along here because we know our bid is second to none, and the support of sponsors, government departments, district associations and state league clubs confirms this."

GWSFG is competing with the Rowden franchise, a group backed by Socceroo Lucas Neill and bids from Canberra, Tasmania and the NSW South Coast, although it is understood that FFA considers western Sydney is the best move for the game.

Pinto admits the group gave away a head start to the other bids, but says "we will be ready to go the minute FFA gives us the nod. We are the people's choice".

Pinto is joined in heading the group by sports marketer Chris Tanner, former Marconi player and now business coach Richie Williams, and sports performance coach Peter Begley.

"The four of us have formed a strong bond and with our bid team members, the local associations, the state league clubs, the schools, the sponsors-in-waiting, and our current investors. We have a great club model, ready to go," Pinto said.

"We have been approached by coaches and players from the A-League and state leagues and overseas. We can put a squad together within a month, no problem."

Pinto said the team would play out of ANZ Stadium "because it is the best venue in the country and suits our model".

He also confirmed that Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was still on the radar as the club's first marquee signing.

"We are still keen on signing Mark, but we believe he will still be in Europe when we kick our first ball," Pinto said.

He said the majority of home games will be played at ANZ Stadium while other games would be at Penrith CUA, Campbelltown and WIN stadiums.

GWSFG's franchise model, which Pinto says has won high praise from the wider football community, also includes:

* Signing at least three repatriated Socceroos in the first three seasons.

* Operating academies within the district associations of Macarthur, Nepean, Blacktown, Southern Districts, Granville, Bankstown, Canterbury, Sutherland, and Illawarra as well as links with state league clubs in those areas.

* A women's football program.

* Provide players to the clubs by a draft system from GWSFG's national youth league team. The club will pay the wages, taking pressure off budgets of NSW premier and state league teams.

* Money will be channelled into district associations as grants, helping foster the game at the grassroots level.

* A feeder team in Singapore's S-League is on the drawing board as well, allowing more players access to full-time football.

* A network of high schools throughout the catchment area, where a football component will be added to the curriculum.

Pinto said GWSFG had at least three major sponsors lined up and that "a guaranteed 3500 season tickets have already been sold".

It is understood the club's commercial operations will be based at ANZ Stadium with football operations to eventually be housed at Football NSW's new Riverstone complex.

"Football NSW have been great and see the need for what we are wanting to do for football in Sydney's outer regions," Pinto said.

source: foxsports.com.au

He seems to talk as if his bid still has a LONG way to get the required money.

That's because they've got NO money or 5 million less than Canberra

This bid are kidding themselves. I grew up in Western Sydney and I used to work at the ANZ (or whatever it is called this week) Stadium. It has to be one of the worst venues for a new sporting club to even consider. Anything under a 25-30,000 crowd just gets swallowed up there .The atmosphere would just die. It's not even really central for Western Sydney and is a pretty souless location, being mostly reclaimed industrial land. I think the FAA are nuts to even consider another Sydney team without letting Sydney FC consolidate its supporter base and start to get more involved with grassroots football. If the expansion is stuffed up then Australian Football will pay the price for years to come. Surely involving areas without representation and solid bids, like Canberra make more sense. Aussie football cant afford to get this wrong. You only have to look at the state basketball is in to see what can go wrong.

Pete H wrote:This bid are kidding themselves. I grew up in Western Sydney and I used to work at the ANZ (or whatever it is called this week) Stadium. It has to be one of the worst venues for a new sporting club to even consider. Anything under a 25-30,000 crowd just gets swallowed up there .The atmosphere would just die. It's not even really central for Western Sydney and is a pretty souless location, being mostly reclaimed industrial land. I think the FAA are nuts to even consider another Sydney team without letting Sydney FC consolidate its supporter base and start to get more involved with grassroots football. If the expansion is stuffed up then Australian Football will pay the price for years to come. Surely involving areas without representation and solid bids, like Canberra make more sense. Aussie football cant afford to get this wrong. You only have to look at the state basketball is in to see what can go wrong.

It just go to show that their bid is no where near ready to go- that is playing at ANZ. The only reason they are playing there is because they get some big cash injections.

This stadium and the FFA are their main financial backers.

Sydney is not ready for another team. Simple as that.

I still can't get my head around the fact that west sydney is getting funded by the FFA, why won't they fund us then our bid will be wrapped up and ready to go?

There are two words to describe why this bid will get nowhere fast... Chris Tanner