KEY POINTS:
Football Federation Australia could confirm this afternoon a New Zealand team will play in next season's A-League.
Operations chief Matt Carroll said in Auckland yesterday he could have reached a decision by then.
Speaking after he and FFA chief executive Ben Buckley had discussions with the three parties interested in picking up the licence dropped by former owner Octagon Sports, Carroll said he was confident he would be back to one or other of the prospective franchisees asking for more meetings, perhaps as early as next week.
"I have no time," said Carroll. "I want to be in a position to have it finalised and report back to the FFA board at their next meeting [in mid-February] with a fait accompli."
While all indications suggest on-going NZ participation in the Hyundai A-League, it is just as certain they will play under a new name.
Carroll said the three bidders were looking at a new name and he suggested that if the Auckland bid was successful North Harbour Stadium might not necessarily continue as the home ground.
The other bids considered yesterday - with New Zealand Soccer chairman John Morris and chief executive Graham Seatter in attendance - were from Wellington and Palmerston North.
The Wellington bid was supported by their city council who is keen to see Westpac Stadium used as the headquarters.
The bid from Manawatu is seen by Carroll as being all-embracing with indications they would be keen to take games around the country.
Auckland, however, might be the preferred option given the FFA's insistence that they want a New Zealand Soccer presence.
And, with all bidders committed to All Whites coach Ricki Herbert taking the role with the franchise, it adds to support for Auckland as the base.
Grounds, infrastructure and players/coaches are all seen as vital in any bid. The bottom line, however, is funding - and plenty of it.
"To run a club successfully, you need a budget of between $5 million and $6 million," said Carroll. "They would need to have about $3 million in the bank to start with."
Carroll is not dismissing suggestions that one or more of the prospective investors may band together in a concerted bid to ensure a NZ team holds a place in the eight-team league.
"That is pretty much what happened in Sydney where we were able to get two bidders together, take the best from each and come up with the model that led to Sydney FC," he said.
"I did not ask them directly would you work together - I could still do that - but there was the feeling it was not out of the question."
There will be some hard talking and deep thinking across the Tasman today. Tomorrow is Australia Day and Carroll is looking forward to the day off and watching the first of this season's semifinals.
He would like nothing better to head to the game with a clear head.
