Excitement is building in Ballarat ahead of Western United's A-League debut later this year.
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Following last weeks admission from the clubs director of football, Steve Horvat, that there's "definitely an appetite and discussion" to have Ballarat play host to a least two or three home games in the near future, anticipation for the new Western Melbourne club continues to spread throughout Ballarat.
Ballarat knitwear manufacturing company Interknit has joined in on the festivities, designing a limited edition founding members supporters range of beanies and scarves for the Western United Supporter Group, ahead of United's historic first-season.
Interknit business owner Kassie Blaszak said the support the company has received on the limited range has been "awesome", both locally and internationally.
"It's been great; We've actually sold some overseas, (including) Japan," said Mrs Blaszak.
The 80-year-old manufacturing companies involvement with the Western United Supporters Group happened by complete chance, thanks to a spontaneous encounter with one group member at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show last year.
"We exhibit at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show and one of the ladies saw our products - the secretary of the Western United Supporters Group - and she came to us because she wanted something made with wool and something made locally, so it just evolved from there, " said Mrs Blaszak.
Interknit is one of the last remaining knitwear mills in rural Victoria and it's enthusiasm for the supporters group, highlights the passion the close-knit town of Ballarat is experiencing ahead of United's first season.
With Western United building a brand new football stadium in Tarneit, the club will play the majority of their home fixtures at Geelong's GMHBA Stadium for the next two years.
But it's also been revealed the young club will play some matches across Victoria, with Ballarat's Mars Stadium a potential front-runner, as mentioned by the clubs director, Mr Horvat, in a Courier exclusive last week.
Until then, Western United's Ballarat supporters will have their best opportunity to get up close with the club's players and coaches tonight when United hosts the Ballarat community forum at Morshead Park from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
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