SOUTHERN Highlands’ soccer fans could soon have a local A-League team to cheer for with South Coast FC having moved to the head of the queue to join the nation’s premier competition.

With WIN Corporation owner Bruce Gordon formally agreeing to subsidise the bid, the South Coast looks set to pip Canberra and West Sydney for a spot in the 2010 competition.

Gordon’s decision to put his money on the table - he is believed to have a fortune of about $1.2 billion - is a massive breakthrough for the Wollongong-based bid.

South Coast FC are selling their case on the basis that they will represent a region of more than 500,000 people extending south to the Victorian border, inland to the Southern Highlands, and embracing parts of the Macarthur district in south-west Sydney.

Football Federation Australia, which recently handed exclusive negotiating rights for a second Melbourne team to businessman Peter Sidwell, is due to make a decision on further expansion by Christmas.

Gold Coast United and North Queensland FC have already been confirmed as new teams for 2009.

The FFA is known to have been impressed with the South Coast’s initial bid document, and the news Gordon will effectively underwrite the team for the first five years could be the clincher.

It’s understood FFA chairman Frank Lowy has personally convinced Gordon of the merits of funding an A-League team.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, October 8

sport.highlandnews@ruralpress.com