FFA CEO David Gallop says the A-League could expand within the next four years while promotion and relegation is also on the agenda, described as “the ultimate prize”.

After the success of the FFA Cup, and National Premier League play offs the debate around expanding from 10 teams has been dominant in Australian football circles.

The FFA has been excited by the growth of big city derby matches over recent seasons and Gallop did not rule out looking at second teams in the country’s ‘big cities’.

“We’re obviously focused on big population bases, the ability to have relatively quick success,

to be in areas where our commercial partners and broadcast partners are going to see a benefit,”

Gallop said at the A-League season launch.

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Southern Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, Townsville and Ipswich are among venues thought to be interested in seeking an A-League licence while former National Soccer League club Adelaide City have been mooted as a potential second team in that market.

Gallop said expansion would come before a national second tier with promotion and relegation between the two. For promotion and relegation to take place the current 20 year licences with A-League clubs would need to be renegotiated.

Gallop has previously been quoted as saying expansion was not on the agenda in the next four years, although he disputed that on Tuesday. He says it’s now possible the league will be expanded inside that time frame.

“It’s the most eagerly anticipated A-League season and that fills everyone with confidence,” Gallop said Tuesday.

Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop speaks at the launch of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season. Source: AAP

“There are steps along the way and we need to take disciplined approach to that, but certainly 10 teams is too few. We want to move to 12 teams relatively quickly but the first step in that is some big commercial deals that the game is looking to do

“The ultimate prize — promotion/relegation — will happen in Australian football but there’s a lot more that needs to happen before we can sensibly move to promotion/relegation.

“With the introduction of the NPL, the FFA Cup you can see deliberate attempts are being made to close the gap between the A-League and the rest of the game.”

Gallop denied the statements on expansion were in response to recent meetings with FIFA and the Asian Confederation, which has long held the view that the A-League was too small and that promotion/relegation was required as part of Australia’s membership of the confederation.

“Not necessarily ... Football has occasionally a resletessness to it,” said Gallop.

Players representing the Hyundai A-League football teams. Source: AAP

“It’s right that we be ambitious, but it’s also right that we take a disciplined approach to these things. Importantly, people need to know that they are on the horizon, they’re not being dismissed and the ground work that’s being done at the moment will put us in a good position to make those things successful when they do happen.

Gallop added there were no plans to allow the A-League full independence from FFA.

“A fully separated A-League is not on our agenda,” said Gallop. “We recognise it’s the engine room for the whole game. We’re in a very competitive environment. We see on a consistent basis that our commercial partners are looking for a connection from the top to the bottom of the game.”