The Geelong-based bid – under the working guise of Victoria Patriots – is being fronted by former Socceroos player Steve Horvat and will also represent Warrnambool, Colac, Hamilton and the rest of western Victoria.

Horvat, who made 32 appearances for Australia, said the consortium of investors had used the Western Sydney Wanderers model as inspiration and was looking to build links with regional Victorian cities.

“There is no doubt (it would increase participation). Kids want pathways and there have been many great Socceroos come from west of Melbourne,” he said.

“What this would provide is a legitimate pathway. They don’t have to move out of the region to have a long career. They can stay close to home – at Geelong – and use that to catapult to greater things (such as Europe). 

“It works on so many levels. Community engagement is vital for the long term success of the A-League and also for this bid. Our sport is growing phenomenally. It’s the number one sport for participation in the country.

“I think it will keep taking that direction into the future. The A-League is a competition still in its infancy and it has faced certain challenges. It’s had clubs come and go but it’s important to give communities (like Warrnambool) the foundation for this.”

The FFA has confirmed two more clubs will be added to the competition for the 2018-19 season.

NPL club South Melbourne and a group from Dandenong are other Victorian parties to show interest in winning a licence.

Ballarat and District Soccer Association president Herman Bogers said he hasn’t been involved in any discussions about the bid, but in principal supported growth of the A-League into country areas.

He said participation was booming in the BDSA – with about 2000 players last season – and that any A-League expansion in Victoria would offer more opportunity for local players to reach the top level.

Bogers said it is important that any model is sustainable.