"Their concerns have been brought to our attention and we will respond in due course," Mark Rendell, CEO of FFV, told au.fourfourtwo.com.

This response from FFV may need to be sooner rather than later as the clubs have threatened to stop paying their fees and stop playing football by next week - a move that would wreak havoc with the VPL finals due to kick off next weekend.

A number of clubs in the VPL held a meeting last week regarding the direction of Football Federation Victoria. The clubs claim the decision to relegate four VPL clubs was made after the start of the season and was communicated by round six.

There is also concern that the Federation is focusing too much on grassroots football and not enough on the league, which has seen crowds diminish over the last few years as interest has waned.

There are also worries about this year's new summer league taking precedence over the VPL. The planned summer league competition will be made up of zones rather than clubs and is designed to run parallel to the winter VPL.

Rendell conceded that the level of concern "varies" but said there was concern from some VPL clubs about the relationship they have with the state's governing body.

"We do need a strong, viable league," he added. "But it's not just up to us. We need a collective approach."

Rendell rejects the assertion that the discontent in the VPL and its consequences have damaged the image of football in Victoria.

"Far from it. Football is booming," he said. "Last season we had to turn away 8000 kids because we didn't have the pitches. We've got a strategic plan which is there for all to see on our website.

"We are in the healthiest position possible. It's probably the best it's been in 30 years."