South Melbourne eye A-League entry via Cup final win

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 02:55 · Archive

South Melbourne face Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup final, aiming to prove their credentials for A-League entry.

South Melbourne will face Melbourne Victory in Saturday's sold-out Australia Cup final at AAMI Park, with the historic NSL powerhouse using the match to demonstrate why it merits an A-League licence.

The club has made multiple bids to join Australia's top league previously, being overlooked first for Melbourne Heart and then Western United. Co-president Bill Papastergiadis said sponsorship and playing budgets had doubled in the last year. He noted that by joining the OFC Pro League, South had met licensing standards and would be ready to enter the A-League next season if permitted. 'We're a professional football club with a professional licence ready to participate in the A-League,' he said.

Papastergiadis rejected concerns that South would cannibalise supporter bases from existing Melbourne clubs. He stated the club was 'bringing a new wave of supporters back' and 'reconnecting foundation football with the A-League'. Winning the Australia Cup would strengthen South's case. 'I think the story about South has already been written well prior to the ball being kicked on Saturday,' Papastergiadis said.

How it is being reported

• NSL giant's A-League ambition at centre of Cup finalSouth Melbourne are desperate to land a long-craved A-League licence and can showcase their credentials against Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup final.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 02:30
• NSL giant's A-League ambition at centre of Cup finalSouth Melbourne are desperate to land a long-craved A-League licence and can showcase their credentials against Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup final.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 02:30

In this story: South Melbourne · Melbourne Victory · Bill Papastergiadis · AAMI Park · Melbourne City · Melbourne Heart · Western United

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