Not quite 100% confirmed yet.
Football Federation of Australia (FFA) are pleased to announce their new licence to compete in the Hyundai A-League competition has been awarded to Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
The Wanderers will enter the A-League competition at the beginning of the 2007/08 season and are the first new franchise to gain acceptance into Australia's premier football league since its inception with eight teams in 2005.
"We felt the time was right to appeal to the people of western Sydney, which is in many ways the heartland of football in this city," said FFA Chairman Frank Lowy.
"We are adamant this will not effect Sydney FC in terms of support, rather it will revitalise a neglected area which has produced numerous Socceroos", continued Mr Lowy.
FFA Head of Operations Matt Carroll added, "Western Sydney Wanderers FC will aim to capture the imagination of the western Sydney public and I have no doubt they will become a massive success in the competitive Australian football market."
The Wanderers will announce the make up of the clubs management and staffing structure in the coming days.
New Hyundai A-League franchise West Sydney Wanderers have announced an ownership plan involving one of Australia’s most prominent businessmen, Lachlan Murdoch.
Under the proposed structure, Murdoch will take full ownership of the Wanderers franchise, and has employed former NSL championship winning coach Berti Mariani as inaugural club director and current Toll Holdings boss Paul Little as chief executive officer.
Murdoch has undertaken a number of smaller roles since resigning from his executive role with News Corporation in 2005, but sees the Wanderers as a new and exciting chapter in his life.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, own a sporting organisation,†explained Murdoch. “I can’t think of a better opportunity than the Wanderers and Berti and Paul are ideal candidates to oversee the day to day running of the club.â€
Mariani, a west-Sydney resident, is a former championship winning coach with Marconi Stallions and will bring plenty of experience to a role which he says is a great challenge.
“I’m absolutely delighted to undertake this role, but at the same time I know how difficult a job this will be,†explained Mariani. “We have a lot of work to do and we will ensure we strive to achieve the best possible results at all levels.â€