[NEWS] Axing leaves void to fill: Parramatta Sun

[mack]

GCU Axing Leaves Void To Fill

 

EVER since mining magnate Clive Palmer had his Football Federation licence torn up, there has been speculation whether or not a western Sydney team could enter the A-league.

 

Palmer, owner of Gold Coast United, was told his team would not be eligible to compete in Australia's top-tier football league next season — opening the door for another team to fill the void.

 

That team could be based in western Sydney.

 

Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore said the numbers suggested the team would be a success.

 

"Sydney's west has a huge football playing and fan base so having a team there would be fantastic for the community," Moore said.

 

"In 2011, Football NSW had 171,892 players registered and one third were from western Sydney.

 

"This itself poses huge potential for the game to grow further. From what I understand the area is a huge catchment for players and fans. The surface here is of international class and we have a 20,000 person capacity. A-League numbers can fluctuate but if you get a crowd of under 10,000 here, it is still a great atmosphere. We were involved with the previous bid but we haven't been contacted recently."

 

In 2009, the FFA granted a licence to the Sydney Rovers to enter the A-League in the 2011-2012 season.

 

The team was to represent the west of Sydney including Parramatta, Blacktown and Campbelltown. Less than a year later the team folded. Parramatta Stadium was considered one of two possible home venues. Ex-socceroo Charlie Yankos was a partner in the Rovers consortium. He said the region is still capable to host a team.

 

"It is pretty logical really," he said. "It [western Sydney] has been thought about for a long time. If the FFA approved it, I have no doubt it would be embraced by the community. There are currently only nine teams eligible for the 2012-2013 season.

 

Frank Lowy told Fox Sports on Tuesday that: "The question with western suburbs is can we field a team for this October?"

 

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[Jowel]

maybe we should move this to the thread for news for the bid. better to keep all the news in one thread?