Bid chief Eddy de Gabriele will front the FFA's assessment committee to state the case for inclusion in the 2009-10 season.

"This is the final step for us - the final assessment," de Gabriele said. "It will be the D-Day for our chances of entering the A-League in 2009."

South Coast Football Club needs a group to underwrite the franchise to the tune of $2 million per annum for the club's first five years to have any chance of winning over the FFA.

"The FFA have said to us we need an underwriter or an owner," de Gabriele said.

"We need a capital investor - someone who can put in $2 million per season for the first five seasons to cover any sponsorship shortfalls."

De Gabriele said the other aspects of the bid - ownership model, values and vision, organisational structure, community engagement and facilities - were already in place.

South Coast is competing with seven other bids - two from Townsville, two from western Sydney and three from Melbourne - to join Gold Coast as new A-League clubs.

Gold Coast United were granted the A-League's ninth licence last month.

However, the FFA is prepared to entertain up to a 12-team competition if other bids meet the entry criteria.

South Coast have the chance to impress the assessment committee when they host Sydney FC's A-League Preseason Cup game against Wellington Phoenix at WIN Stadium on Saturday, August 2.