Mayors of Greater Dandenong, Casey City and Cardinia Shire are hopeful their combined efforts can start a top flight club in the region.  

And with 32 clubs and 5000 registered players in the region, former Socceroo, Springfield City junior and bid ambassador Vince Grella said the FFA should strongly consider expanding the A-League to south east Melbourne.

“The region is incredibly strong in terms of football culture and history,” the 42-times capped Socceroo said.

“It has produced more than 40 National Soccer League players, more than 20 Australian youth players. More than 15 Socceroos learnt to play here in the backyards and fields of south east Melbourne. The region is blessed with so many incredibly talented and committed clubs, coaches and players.”

Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said with a population bigger than Adelaide, south east Melbourne had the population to support a top flight club.

“If the FFA’s preference is to locate a new team in a heavily populated centre then south east Melbourne is the ideal place,” he said.

“With more than $1.2 million, we are one of the fastest growing populations in the country.”

The MOU includes a commitment to construct a new football stadium in the Greater Dandenong as well as a training and administrative base in Casey Fields which would boast three synthetic fields, a natural turf field and pavilion and pitch to act as an A-League/ W-League training facility.

In addition, talent and recruitment pathways would be developed through youth academies and programs.

“Across Australia, the sport’s stakeholders are crying out for football-specific stadia to be built,” Memeti said.

“We believe a boutique stadium would be the jewel in the crown of this bid, but also be of benefit to Australian football as a whole.”