The South Coast's A-League bid could announce an unusual partnership that could substitute for an underwriter next Wednesday, chairman Eddy De Gabriele said yesterday.

With no private backers on the horizon, the South Coast bid has been forced to use some "lateral thinking" in the search for an underwriter.

The Mercury understands the South Coast bid's potential mystery backer is not a corporation or a private investor, but a large NSW-based organisation.

That group will vote on a proposal to form a partnership with the South Coast bid at a board meeting next week.

Rather than serving as an underwriter, the group would help the South Coast club implement funding models that would offset the need for an underwriter.

"This is an example of lateral thinking to find a solution.

"We would be reducing our expenses by $2 million per season, rather than having someone ready to tip that amount in," De Gabriele said.

"It will mean we will run our club for $3 million per season, rather than $5 million."

Under Football Federation Australia (FFA) criteria, prospective franchises need underwriters to the tune of $2 million per annum for the club's first five years to have any chance of entry.

De Gabriele is "80 per cent" confident the secret backer will approve the partnership.

However, he conceded the "unusual" arrangement may raise eyebrows at FFA headquarters.

"If the FFA don't go for it, we would still keep the arrangement and look for a backer, a la Clive Palmer."

Gold Coast United, which was named the A-League's ninth team last month, will be underwritten by Queensland-based billionaire Clive Palmer.

Meantime, South Coast has a new rival after a Canberra-based bid was included in the A-League race, but De Gabriele saw no negative implications for the South Coast bid.

"I don't think South Coast and Canberra would be competing for fans or sponsors. South Coast is still the best non-Sydney area for a new franchise."