Neill, who captained Australia to a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Manama on Wednesday, has emerged as the face behind a western Sydney bid for A-League entry in 2010-11.

The West Ham defender declared earlier this month he wanted to back and eventually play for a second team in Australia's largest city when the A-League expands to 12 teams.

That revelation would not have pleased South Coast Football Club officials, as they have long regarded western Sydney as the biggest threats to their own A-League hopes.

Neill's timing is impeccable. Five-year exclusivity deals with foundation A-League clubs expire after next season, paving the way for new teams in Melbourne and Sydney.

Furthermore, an FFA-commissioned report early this year earmarked western Sydney as the most viable region for A-League expansion.

Western Sydney was ranked first ahead of Melbourne, Gold Coast, Townsville, Wollongong and Canberra.

Melbourne Heart is all but assured of becoming the A-League's 11th team and Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury will become the A-League's first expansion clubs next season.

That leaves western Sydney and Wollongong - along with Canberra and Tasmania - vying for the 12th spot, which is expected to be announced in the new year.

The FFA is looking at where expansion will offer the "best strategic fit" and not threaten existing clubs.

Both the clubs facing the prospect of new outfits encroaching on their turf - Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory - are opposed to expansion in their towns. Victory chairman Geoff Lord believes Melbourne is 10 years away from supporting a second club, while FFA chairman Frank Lowy has personally encouraged WIN Corporation owner Bruce Gordon to bankroll the South Coast bid.

There are conflicting reports about Mr Gordon's potential involvement in a South Coast A-League franchise. Some reports suggest the Bermuda-based billionaire has agreed to fund the franchise out of his own pocket, although the South Coast consortium denies any deal has been made.