A-League expansion hits a financial snag
Michael Cockerill
March 7, 2008
PLANS for the A-League to expand to 10 teams for next season are likely to be put on hold, with Gold Coast and North Queensland told to wait another year.
A fortnight after the Football Federation Australia board provisionally granted licences for both franchises to join the league for 2008-09, it's now likely they will have to wait until the 2009-10 season. While the FFA remains committed to creating a 12- or 14-team league, it doesn't want to risk the viability of the competition, and it's believed there are lingering doubts about the financial readiness of North Queensland and Gold Coast for next season.
Last week, North Queensland imploded following a split in the ranks, and Melbourne businesswoman Melissa Fischer-Massa, the club's main backer, yesterday formally advised the FFA that while she still wanted the licence on her own, she now preferred to join the league in 2009. She is believed to have handed over the necessary $6 million in cash, bank guarantees and term deposits, and told the FFA she will start employing staff within a month if she is given the green light.
The effective withdrawal of the Townsville team for next season has left Gold Coast Galaxy vulnerable, with the FFA increasingly reluctant to operate a nine-team league with a bye. Gold Coast have also had to go the extra yard to convince the FFA of their financial model, while there has been some concerns about their planned lease agreement with Skilled Stadium. It's understood the Galaxy are now more willing to wait until 2009 - although they have also indicated they are prepared to play in 2008 if required.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley last night refused to confirm that expansion had been put on hold, saying: "I have a proposal from Gold Coast in front of me, I have a proposal from Townsville in front of me, we are reviewing both proposals, and we will make a final deliberation in the next few days."
The outcome, however, seems certain to be a delay - although the overall expansion timetable might actually be fast-tracked with a Wollongong-based team and either a second Sydney or Melbourne side joining the league in 2009 along with Gold Coast and North Queensland.
In transfer news, fringe Socceroos winger Ahmad Elrich is poised to join minor premiers Central Coast Mariners after rejecting offers from Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United.
Oh dear, I was looking forward to watching an extra game a week
and even more disappointing is that we might be signing A.Elrich. If we do sign him I sure hope he plays better than he did for Wellington :-\
Michael Cockerill
March 7, 2008
PLANS for the A-League to expand to 10 teams for next season are likely to be put on hold, with Gold Coast and North Queensland told to wait another year.
A fortnight after the Football Federation Australia board provisionally granted licences for both franchises to join the league for 2008-09, it's now likely they will have to wait until the 2009-10 season. While the FFA remains committed to creating a 12- or 14-team league, it doesn't want to risk the viability of the competition, and it's believed there are lingering doubts about the financial readiness of North Queensland and Gold Coast for next season.
Last week, North Queensland imploded following a split in the ranks, and Melbourne businesswoman Melissa Fischer-Massa, the club's main backer, yesterday formally advised the FFA that while she still wanted the licence on her own, she now preferred to join the league in 2009. She is believed to have handed over the necessary $6 million in cash, bank guarantees and term deposits, and told the FFA she will start employing staff within a month if she is given the green light.
The effective withdrawal of the Townsville team for next season has left Gold Coast Galaxy vulnerable, with the FFA increasingly reluctant to operate a nine-team league with a bye. Gold Coast have also had to go the extra yard to convince the FFA of their financial model, while there has been some concerns about their planned lease agreement with Skilled Stadium. It's understood the Galaxy are now more willing to wait until 2009 - although they have also indicated they are prepared to play in 2008 if required.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley last night refused to confirm that expansion had been put on hold, saying: "I have a proposal from Gold Coast in front of me, I have a proposal from Townsville in front of me, we are reviewing both proposals, and we will make a final deliberation in the next few days."
The outcome, however, seems certain to be a delay - although the overall expansion timetable might actually be fast-tracked with a Wollongong-based team and either a second Sydney or Melbourne side joining the league in 2009 along with Gold Coast and North Queensland.
In transfer news, fringe Socceroos winger Ahmad Elrich is poised to join minor premiers Central Coast Mariners after rejecting offers from Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United.
Oh dear, I was looking forward to watching an extra game a week
and even more disappointing is that we might be signing A.Elrich. If we do sign him I sure hope he plays better than he did for Wellington :-\
