Soccer: Council support gives Wellington edge on licence

Wellington seems to have edged ahead in the three-way battle for the A-League licence for the 2007-08 season but are not over the finish line yet.

Football Federation Australia operations manager Matt Carroll spoke to the three interested parties from Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington yesterday and will follow those discussions with a letter to each today.

"I felt that Wellington in particular are getting it all together," said Carroll as the parties scrap for the New Zealand Knights' licence.

"But the greatest marketing plan in the world will fall over if it does not have the financial backing.

"Through my involvement with rugby in an earlier life, I am well aware of what Wellington has done with the sevens and Super 14 but that would count for nothing if they can't back that with the capital required."

Carroll said he was aware of the input from the Wellington City Council - a situation he tagged as unique in the Hyundai A-League - saying such support would be great. He had had no indication from the Auckland bidders of similar support from the Auckland or North Shore councils.

Carroll said getting documented evidence of the necessary funding [of between $5 million-$6 million] was needed.

He is confident of having something positive to report to the February 15 FFA board meeting at which the call will be made.