ADELAIDE City is working towards being Adelaide United’s much sought after derby sparring partner in both the A-League and W-League.

And the ambition of having more derbies in capital cities including Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth is backed by Andy Harper.

The Fox Sports football expert and former National Soccer League star says derbies like the ones in Sydney and Melbourne will see the game flourish.

An A-League derby crowd between Western Sydney and Sydney FC attracted a record 61,880 fans last year while Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City drew a 50,873 fans record in 2015.

“I can’t talk specifically about Adelaide City but what I believe 100 per cent, and never been swayed from, is the cornerstone importance of capital city derbies,’’ Harper said.

“It’s the one thing we know works, the clubs know they’re going to draw the sort of interest we dream about and more importantly intracity competition makes the clubs better.

media_camera Will Adelaide City get the chance to join in football’s evolution?

“Sydney FC is an infinitely better football club now that it’s got someone (Western Sydney) nipping at its heels and vice-versa.

“Take Adelaide City as a classic case, which for so long was the cradle of the national team, the football culture runs historically in Adelaide.

“You’ve got a very fertile ground.

“Another team in Adelaide advances the cause for better facilities, it adds a lot of weight to the discussion of which venue is better to host derbies, Hindmarsh or Adelaide Oval.

“The most important thing is it stares down the notion that one team cannot own the whole city.”

Adelaide City football chairman Tony Costa revealed the club is hatching a plan to be part of the evolution after Football Federation Australia this year claimed A-League expansion in 2019 from 10 teams to 16 eventually would be ideal.

Costa believes the club’s 70-year history had made it a familiar brand in Australia after producing more than 20 Socceroos and England 1990 FIFA World Cup international Tony Dorigo and winning three national soccer league titles.

“The drive and willingness to grow national competition football has been present for some time,’’ Costa said.

“Now is a prominent feature of thought and discussion from the front bar to boardroom tables. Adelaide City sees itself being part of that discussion, and being willing and able to progress in a well managed fashion as developments unfold.

“Any move to a national competition is a significant task, and the scale of the exercise cannot be underestimated.

“To this end Adelaide City will put due diligence and financial viability at the forefront of its considerations.

“A move to the bigger stage will only be undertaken with a sound and financially sustainable model and the club will not put itself at risk.”