Less than 24 hours after losing a crucial vote that's plunged Australian football into an uncertain future, Football Federation Australia received an application for an A-League licence for a team based in south west Sydney.
Campbelltown City Council announced plans to be part of an expanded A-League by gaining entry into the competition in two years' time. Taking the unusual step of being led by a council, the bid wants to field a senior mens, womens and youth teams by the start of the 2019-20 season with games hosted at Campbelltown Stadium.
Under the working title of South West Sydney Football Bid, the council wants to host a team that is owned and operated by the community.
"There are strong reasons why a new team should be established in the region and in particular at Campbelltown Sports Stadium given its accessibility by both road and public transport. There is substantial population growth expected over the next 20 years which will see many families calling the region home," Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic said.
"Our community is calling out for, and deserves, a full-time sporting team with a full schedule of games, and this is a great opportunity to have a professional sporting team, playing at a national level, which lives and breathes this region.
