Parntership For Western Sydney

Failed franchise bid could be possible partner with new A-League club

By Ray Gatt

October 28, 2009

Football Federation Australia will not stand in the way of a possible merger involving the new western Sydney club and one of the failed franchise bids after it was revealed the two warring parties are expected to get together in the next week or two.

While FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said he was unaware of any meeting, it's understood Ian Rowden, chairman of new A-League club Sydney Rovers, has extended an olive branch by arranging to meet Greater Western Sydney Football Group representatives.

Discussions had been scheduled for Wednesday, but were suddenly called off and have been rescheduled. Feelings are still running high after the Rovers group emerged from near obscurity to be handed the 12th A-League licence for the 2011-12 season ahead of GWSFG and a consortium led by Socceroos captain Lucas Neill despite FFA admitting the winning bid did not have the necessary funding in place.

The losing bidders expressed anger with the decision after putting in as much as two years of hard work, only to be denied by a group that had been together for only a matter of months.

The Neill consortium is still stunned it was overlooked as it believed its bid was the best.

The GWSFG made a strong push for the new franchise, declaring its model had won "high praise from the wider football community" and had the support of a number of district associations.

Buckley, who is adamant FFA made the right decision to give the western Sydney licence to Rovers, said he welcomed any discussions that could see an even stronger club emerge.

"From day one, FFA has encouraged the groups that missed out to make contact with Ian and his team and if conditions were right to sit down and see what they have to offer," Buckley said yesterday.

"There are good aspects that emerged from the bids and they should be taken into account."

Buckley did not rule out FFA agreeing to a possible merger.

"Our position is very clear," he said. "We issued a licence to Ian and his group. If he sees some merit in forming a partnership, then that is up to them to decide.

"If the group (Rovers) takes that position and it adds value then, of course, we would not object."

Buckley said he was happy with the progress Sydney Rovers was making in sorting out its funding. Despite concerns, FFA took a giant leap of faith in the ability of Rowden and fellow board members Peter Tredinnick and Charlie Yankos to raise the millions of dollars needed to get Rovers off the ground.

Rowden, chairman and chief executive of Saatchi&Saatchi Asia Pacific and touted as a likely successor to FFA chairman Frank Lowy, said at the time he was having "real discussions" with potential investors and that he was "absolutely confident of creating the complete investor body we need to support the team the way it should be supported".

Buckley said: "We met recently with Ian and his team and they have made a number of positive steps in that direction (funding).

"We are more than happy with the progress they have made and remain confident they will get the job done."

Representatives of the Greater Western Sydney Football Group would not comment when contacted, while telephone calls to Rovers representatives were not returned.


http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26270978-5000940,00.html

Sorry to keep bringing this up, but i find interesting that a month ago the FFA wouldnt have used phrases like 'leap of faith' and 'together for a matter of months' when they were convincing everyone about their decision.

Just goes to show that they are no where near ready.

they have time though and this is the right step for them