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Millenium League Expansion ... The expansion of Australia's Etihad Millenium League has been in effect since 2000. Yet the further extension of the league is further in reference to the establishment of a twelfth, and thirteenth franchise. Bids for these places were allowed to be lodged from January 3 - the day in which expansion was formally announced by the Millenium League Council.
FC Auckland
editFC Auckland was the second bid pronounced for bidding for a Millenium League license. After Wellington City's edging over an Auckland franchise, the call for an Auckland side has continually intensified. The Millenium League hold queries about the strength such a club would have.
| Full name | Football Club of Auckland | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | January 3, 2012 | |
| Ground | Mt Smart Stadium | |
| Capacity | 30,000 | |
| Owner | City of Auckland | |
| League | Etihad Millenium League | |
| Website | http://www.milleniumleague.com/team14/auckland | |
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Brisbane Stars
edit| Full name | Brisbane Stars Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Stars | ||
| Founded | February 27, 2012 | ||
| Ground | Ballymore Stadium, Skilled Park | ||
| Capacity | 24,000 and 27,400 | ||
| Owner | Millenium League Council | ||
| League | Etihad Millenium League | ||
| Website | http://milleniumleague.com/brisbanebid | ||
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West Melbourne Heart
editWest Melbourne Heart are bidding to represent the growing western suburbs of Melbourne. Although playing home matches out of the centralised AAMI Park, the club will primarily function in Footscray. In a partnership with Victoria University, the Heart will train out of the university's sporting campus. Administrative offices will be situated at the same facility. A sponsorship between the two has also been arranged, with Victoria University being co-major sponsors, along with Jetstar airlines.
Western Melbourne has long been earmarked as a potential growth spot for football in Australia. The large geographic and population enables a high target market. Previously, Sporting Melbourne played pre-season matches in the area. The high attendances for which give the suburbs a firm chance to hold their own club. The Millenium League Council has stipulated that regional Victoria must also be targeted by the Heart. Bendigo and Ballarat, two major regional centres, are earmarked as supporter hotspots. The Heart consortium has made clear that hosting matches in these cities is major want. However, the lack of a suitable football stadium in both towns seem to stand in the way of such events occurring.
The bidding team is funded by Football Federation Victoria. At this stage of the clubs progression, it's believed the franchise will not be sold. Instead, Victoria's football governing body will administer the entire sectors of the proposed franchise. Because of the not for profit nature of the organisation, the FFV have been heavily questioned as owners. The relative success of the other Victorian Millenium League teams has also raised questions over the viability of a support base.
| Full name | West Melbourne Heart Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Heart | |
| Founded | April 10, 2012 | |
| Ground | AAMI Park | |
| Capacity | 30,000 | |
| Owner | Football Federation Victoria | |
| League | Etihad Millenium League | |
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