Former Socceroo centre back Steve Horvat has emerged as the front man for the bid team seeking to bring a new A-League franchise to Geelong.

The consortiumn is using the working title Victoria Patriots as its working name, but Horvat stresses that if it gets the go-ahead fans will get to choose the team's name and colours.

Former Socceroo Steve Horvat, in his Socceroos days, is behind a push to get an A-league team in Geelong. Credit:Tim Clayton

Geelong business and sporting identities have been supporting the push to bring a third A-League franchise to Victoria after the FFA made it clear that it was looking to expand the competition from 10 to 12 teams.

The game's governing body has signalled it plans to include the extra teams from the 2018-19 season, but most of the applicants are trying to prepare speedily lest a decision should be made to expand next season.