The Red Devils have backed a “consultative body” representing more than 60 of the state’s soccer clubs, which came to an agreement with Football Federation Australia and Football Federation Victoria on a reformed NPL model and discontinued proceedings in the Supreme Court.

This has allowed the NPL competition to proceed in Victoria next season as planned.

Red Devils spokesman Duncan Smith said the club was not looking to take sides, but celebrated both the co-signatory group and the administrative bodies reaching mutual ground.

“The Red Devils support the model that has been agreed upon by the clubs, the FFV and the FFA,” Smith said.

“It is without doubt the best model and one that we see as the best possible outcome for football in Victoria, but more importantly for the progression of football in Western Victoria.

“As far as the Red Devils are concerned, it has never been the case of picking one side over the other, it was and is about getting the very best outcomes for football in this state, in this region and in Ballarat. That is what we believe has happened.”

South Melbourne Football Club director Tom Kalas has described the co-signatory group – of which he is a representative – as a “consultative body” that was formed when the clubs felt the FFV zone representative system was not working effectively.

“It is unprecedented in Australia that 65 clubs have come together in such a fashion and we intend to meet regularly to support and protect the core principles of our code,” he said.

Kalas said Ballarat, FFV and FFA will be invited to attend quarterly meetings held by the co-signatory group. 

“It’s time to come out of the trenches now. We are all together in this now, FFV and FFA and the co-signatory group. 

“But the co-signatory group still stands as a voice on behalf of the clubs,” he said.

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au