Football Is Coming Home.. to West Sydney!

It looks like Sydney's western suburbs could have their own soccer club as early as later this year, thus filling the gap left in the summer by the area's new Aussie Rules team and many rugby league teams. The area has been mentioned as the next area of expansion for many of Australia's professional sports leagues with even a Super rugby franchise once mentioned for the area west of Kings Cross and east of the Blue Mountains.

This afternoon the FFA and PM Julia Gillard announced that a West Sydney Football Club will compete from next season's A-League. A name has yet to be decided but will probably come from a competition of some sort from the public. The club will actually be fully funded by the FFA with the hope that a group of investors will eventually take over the club.

It has been rumoured that former Socceroo and Crystal Palace toughman, Tony Popovic, could be lined up as coach of the new team. Popovic is quite well known for doing this back in his time at Selhurst Park.

However, I'm sure he'll be hoping for less comic moments like that while in West Sydney. 

The new club has also had the support of the likes of fellow Socceroos, Scott Chipperfield and Lucas Neill. In fact, Tim Cahill has been mentioned as an ambassador, not as a player - I can't see him leaving Everton just yet. 

The formation of West Sydney's latest bid for a football club since the failed Sydney Rovers bid does have similarities with the rushed but ultimately successful formation of the Wellington Phoenix in 2006. Back then, NZ Football had to rush in and start a new club when the FFA showed the red card to the failing Auckland based New Zealand Knights franchise. Of course, we all know Terry Serepisos quickly stepped in, offered the funds that would partly make him broke 6 years later, and laid the foundations for New Zealand's favourite football club. 

It is a good sign that the FFA is being heavily involved especially following the Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury debacles. I think the West Sydney club can do well just as the Melbourne Heart have. West Sydney is a well-populated area with plenty of support for football and should help boost the A-League's profile in Australia.

And another easy 6 points for the Phoenix.