"I'd like to be optimistic and say 14 [clubs] eventually," he said at today's launch of the new season of A-League football.

"We'll go from eight to 10, and then to 12 but I would like to see 14 eventually if I'm optimistic."

And Lowy paid tribute to the fans of the league, who've come out in numbers to boost the lA-League's average to just over 14,000 for the home and away season.

"Three years ago, I stood in front of you and I got down on my hands and knees and begged fans to come to the A-League," he said.

"I found I didn't need to do that as they came to the games in great numbers."

FFA CEO Ben Buckley has stated ten teams will commence season five of the A-League in 2009.

"The Hyundai A-League is now an established part of the Australian sporting landscape and is going from strength to strength," said Buckley.

And he said that it's been a busy off-season with plans for the new youth league, women's W-League and the Socceroos all taking up much of the FFA's time.

He added: "The work we've done in the off-season shows that not only is the FFA serious about the growth, development and sustainablility of the Hyundai A-League but so are our corporate partners and the other significant stakeholders in the game."