FTBL reported yesterday that the former Head of the A-League was interested in a return to football.

“I understand the stakeholders. I understand the problems,” he said.

“I have been working in that space for the last few years so I’m certainly looking to get involved in whatever capacity I can add value to.”

After leaving the A-League in 2010 the former Scottish professional footballer has been consulting with fast growth high tech sports, scientific and medical companies in and around the country.

Regarding his new role at the AAFC, Fraser revealed that he was aiming to have a national second division up and running in two years time.

“I feel very passionately about the need for Australia to become a genuine football nation,” he said.

“Key to that is having a proper national second division, expanding our national footprint, giving more opportunities for more players and, eventually, promotion and relegation. 

“Of course, all of this needs to work within the existing A-League franchises.

“My aim is to work with all parties to achieve the best possible outcome for football in Australia and to see The Championship in operation by 2020.”

The AAFC boasts over 100 NPL clubs across the country and for the past 18 months has been lobbying FFA,FIFA and the AFC on the creation of a national second division.

And the group’s Chairman Rabieh Krayem is confident that ex-A-League boss can make it happen.

“The AAFC Board believes Archie Fraser is the ideal person to guide us in this next stage," he said.

“From a standing start of less than zero, we have managed to get all interested parties to the table to discuss a national second division.

“This includes FFA, the state federations, the A-League clubs and the PFA.

“With the input of our clubs, and the professional support of Nous Consulting, we now have a financial model and plans that we will be sharing with interested clubs at a briefing in Melbourne later this month.

“We are at the stage where we can drive this forward even further and, if necessary, knock on some doors to get things moving.”

The AAFC briefing, which Fraser will lead, is being held for AAFC members in Melbourne on Saturday 27 October.

Main picture: 2018 NSW NPL Grand Final Photos by loopii #Photosbyloopii for Football NSW