TASMANIA could join the A-League, with a group pushing for a team from the state set to meet with Football Federation Australia shortly around the possibility.

With the competition set to expand from 10 to 12 teams over the next couple of years FFA told the Mercury they had been approached about a potential Tasmanian team.

MORE: A-LEAGUE WANTS TO EXPAND

“FFA can confirm it has received an enquiry from a consortium in Tasmania interested in FFA’s expansion plans for the Hyundai A-League,” a spokesman said.

“At this stage FFA have not engaged in formal dialogue with this group or any other groups as it would be premature to do so before a detailed road map for expansion has been finalised.”

But the Mercury understands that the group and the national body could meet potentially as soon as the end of this week following the consortium preparing a business case.

The Mercury can reveal that if successful the plan would be for the club to be based in Hobart but some games would be played in Launceston.

Venues that have been mooted for the team in Hobart are North Hobart Oval and Blundstone Arena with the plan to add seating at the venues to make them rectangular for games rather than build a brand new stadium.

The financial backing for the bid looks to be from Melbourne, with former Melbourne Victory board members Harry Stamoulis and Robert Belteky believed to be part of the consortium while Tasmanian born former professional player David Clarkson also shapes as a key figure.

Football Federation Tasmania chief executive Mike Palmer said he met with Mr Clarkson in August and while he would support a bid he didn’t know too much about the proposal.

“All I know is two months ago I sat down for a cup of tea at the State Cinema with David Clarkson, former Socceroo and former South Hobart player and he just let me know that there were a group of former Melbourne Victory owners who are interested in getting an A-League team,” he said.

“The discussion at that point was around Geelong or Tasmania, they were weighing up their options and on the basis of that they were going to talk to FFA.

“The meeting was a courtesy and I haven’t spoken to anyone since.”

But it seems that the consortium now has their eyes on Tasmania, with the state being viewed as a blank canvas for a potential team.

One of Melbourne’s premier property developers, the wealth of Stamoulis’ family has been estimated at $540 million and his presence would surely assist in alleviating any fears that it wouldn’t be financially viable.

The Mercury understands it costs between $7 million to $10 million a year to field an A-League team.

Federal MP for Denison Andrew Wilkie, who has met with representatives from the group, said the bid would have his support.

“I think it is a realistic prospect,” he said.

“There are a couple of ways I might ultimately help.

“I have actually already mentioned it in the sidelines of an event with Will Hodgman who is aware of the talk.”

A State Goverment spokeswoman said it was an exciting prospect.

“We understand this bid is in its infancy, but it would be a tremendous boost for the state,” she said.

In the late 2000s the state did throw its hat into the ring to secure a A-League licence with the establishment of the Tasmania United Football Club taskforce.

But nothing eventuated from the taskforce, even though FFA’s Whole of Football Plan saying every major Australian centre with a population of more than 500,000 had the market size to host an A-League club.

Attempts were made to contact both Mr Clarkson, Mr Belteky and Mr Stamoulis for comment.