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Former Socceroo Andy Bernal wants to reignite a bid for an A-League team in Canberra Bernal has joined United as the club's head of recruitment, using his profile to help attract quality talent to ensure the National Premier League debutants are competitive from the outset. The next step is starting the process to bring an A-League team to Canberra when Football Federation Australia is ready to expand the competition. That could happen as soon as 2017 when the current television broadcast deal expires. Bernal was adamant Canberra deserves to have an A-League team and had no doubt there would be the necessary financial backing to support it. "If we do have a club in Canberra, [Gungahlin United] would like to be that club in Canberra," Bernal said. "We want to be in a position that we can go to the table with the FFA and change the name to Canberra United and be the A-League team. "That team is what we will try to develop over the next couple of years where we will have great business, marketing and football people in place. "It's ridiculous that the national capital of Australia doesn't have a team in the national competition, it would be one of the few countries in the world where this doesn't happen." Bernal would also be keen to get Canberra's ex-Socceroos players involved in an off-field capacity. Former Socceroos captain Ned Zelic has already shown his interest in Gungahlin United, attending one of the club's training sessions last week. Canberra had an unsuccessful bid for an A-League team several years ago when the FFA chose Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury instead. Both clubs have since folded. It is understood about $8 million would be required in start-up capital for an A-League club, coming from a combination of private funding and government support. The previous Canberra bid also had a large community-funded aspect, with more than 2000 foundation members pledging $200 each, as part of a $4 million package. The FFA has already made it known it would like a third team in Sydney, most likely in the Sutherland Shire, with several other cities keen to throw up their hand. Bernal believes Canberra can succeed by ensuring the team becomes competitive straight away. "To make it sustainable, it needs to be a winning team," Bernal said. "Canberra people will go to winning teams, if the Raiders are successful and the Brumbies are top of the table, you'll get 20,000 people to Canberra Stadium. "Decisions on playing staff, on academies, on marquee players, on kids coming through, on who's going to be the coach, these are key decisions that you need the right football people involved at board level. "The success of the team on the field will determine the success of the club, especially in this city." Bernal enjoyed a distinguished playing career in Europe and also spent time at Spanish giants Real Madrid working with English superstar David Beckham. "I got a lot of experience and know-how on the greatest club in the history of the game, so if I can bring a little bit of that to Gungahlin, then fantastic," Bernal said. "Part of the deal with Gungahlin is to attract quality young footballers to let them know and understand we will provide a fantastic pathway. "We have direct access to all the A-League clubs Gungahlin has embarked on an impressive recruitment drive under coach Claudio Canosa, signing the likes of Dustin Wells, Stephen Domenici and Canberra FC captain Matt Grbesa.

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