Team 11, one of the two Victorian bids that failed to win the A-League expansion licence, will not give up their hopes of eventually gaining a place at the top level of Australian soccer. And neither will the other disappointed bidder, South Melbourne.
"It’s not the end of the story, just another chapter in the book," Team 11 said in a statement – an indication that they are prepared to go again should the opportunity arise, or even bid for a spot in the second division if one is eventually launched.
Fighting on: South Melbourne’s Bill Papastergiadis.Credit:Darrian Traynor
"Team 11 are bitterly disappointed not to have been awarded a licence into an expanded A-League competition, but are adamant that one day the south-east of Victoria will house a professional football club," they said.
South Melbourne, the other Victorian bid that failed to win theday, expressed similar sentiments.
"We are confident South Melbourne FC is and will remain a viable option for an A-League licence in the future," chairman Bill Papastergiadis said.
"The preference of the Western Melbourne Group means our main supporter base and catchment area in the south and south-east of Melbourne remains unaffected by the planned expansion.
"South Melbourne FC will continue to be an option for further expansion in the future. We look forward to engaging with FFA board members and management in the coming weeks and months to better understand any perceived weaknesses in our bid which resulted in us not being a preferred licence holder at this time."
Team 11 interim chairman Ghadir Razuki said he and his fellow investors were humbled by the support and determined to formulate new plans – be it for entry into an expanded A-League or a national second division.
"We have said all along that this bid is about football and is about community," he said.
"Today’s outcome, while disappointing, does not shake our belief that a football team in the south-east of Victoria will be an immense success. We live it every day, we breathe it, we see it, we know it.
"While we have been 'rivals' throughout this process, we are kindred spirits in the sense that only we can know and can appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this process.
"Let’s hope that one day we will be on-field rivals as football continues its upward trajectory."
Papastergiadis added: "We are a club with a proud 60-year history and we plan to be around beyond another 60 years.
"We will always embrace an ethos which embraces multicultural diversity, equally embraces women’s, men’s and youth development, and encourages an environment where any club in the country can aspire to and reach the highest level in Australian football.
"Our efforts to this point have been building for 14 years and, more specifically, over the past 12 months.
"Investment has been made in resources to present our bid and these will not have been wasted as the club is in a stronger position as a result.
"As the only bid with an operating club and football department, we are able to capitalise on these efforts, effective immediately."
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