HUME City says it deserves to be in the conversation surrounding A-League promotion and relegation after a brave performance against three-time champion Melbourne Victory in the FFA Cup Round of 16.

Hume was beaten 1-0 by a full-strength Victory side at Broadmeadows Valley Park on August 24, succumbing to a first-half penalty from Besart Berisha.

Reigning A-League champion Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners both bowed out of the FFA Cup to state league teams, sparking discussion about the creation of a second-tier national competition.

Hume City coach Dean Hennessey said the club wanted to be recognised as the country’s top NPL outfit.

“Our chairman (Steve Kaya) is really ambitious,” Hennessey said.

“He wants to be the biggest and best NPL club in the country, that’s his mission.

“We’re not saying we’re there now, that’s where we’re striving for.”

In May this year, Football Federation Australia said a promotion-relegation system remained an option, although issues such as the cost involved with establishing a second division and its viability have been raised.

“There is talk of a B League coming in,” Hennessey said.

“If that is part of it, we’d obviously like to think that we might be part of that.”

Hume City has finished in the NPL top six over the past three years and captured national attention when it progressed to the semi-finals of the FFA Cup last year.

Hume goalkeeper Chris Oldfield said he was confident the gap between A-League and state league teams was closing.

“When we started playing them, they seemed to dominate us throughout the games,” Oldfield said.

“The more we got used to playing against them, how quick they move the ball, the results became closer and closer.”

Oldfield, who has attracted interest from A-League clubs, said the biggest difference between the NPL and elite level was the ability of teams to attract high-profile players.

“I do think the gap is getting closer, but teams like Victory can pull big players whereas teams in the NPL can’t,” he said.

“That’s the difference.”

Hennessey said the club had tried to adopt professional practices such as using GPS systems during matches.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with different A-League clubs, how they operate and how they work, and we’re not quite there yet but we’re building towards it,” he said.

Hume City was eliminated from the NPL title race after a 3-0 loss to South Melbourne in last Sunday’s elimination final.