Southern Expansion’s plans to enter the A-League and W-League competition’s have received a massive boost with Football Federation Australia outlining plans to expand the competition for the start of the 2019-2020 season.
The FFA announced on Friday they had put A-League expansion on top of their agenda following a strategy meeting in Sydney on Thursday, with two new franchises set for inclusion for the 2019-2020 season.
The FFA said in a statement that more details about the formal process would be announced next month “with the intention to have a decision later this year.”
In March last year it was revealed a new A-League franchise that would represent the St George district, Sutherland Shire and Illawarra was one step closer to reality following the announcement of a consortium to head an official bid.
The franchise, with the working title of Southern Expansion, was being led by St George football icon and football commentator Les Murray and former Socceroo Craig Foster and financially backed by Chinese property giant JiaYuan Group.
Former NSW Premier Morris Iemma became Southern Expansion’s steering group chairman following Murray’s death in July.
The bid has the support of its three member associations, St George FA, Sutherland Shire and Football South Coast, three of the most historic and largest associations in Australia.
There have been a number of other rumoured bids for inclusion in the competition from franchises in Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra and Queensland.
