By da640 - 6 Sep 2011 8:29 AM
It is the merger that will turn South Coast football on its head - a union between derby rivals that may ruin their opponents for years to come.
Illawarra superpowers Dandaloo and neighbours Dapto have applied to play as a joint venture called the Fury for the next two seasons.
The neighbours submitted their plan to Football South Coast (FSC) last week - it will be discussed next Tuesday with an answer expected before the 2012 Premier League clubs are announced later this year.
The Mercury understands there is little opposition to the amalgamation, clearing the way for the first united team since Albion Park and White Eagles joined forces in 2000.
Dandaloo's Darryl Waller is confident FSC's men's premiership council will approve the historic union, which has been under negotiation for the past four months.
"Both Dapto and Dandaloo will not be applying to the Premier League in 2012, under the proviso that the Fury are accepted," Waller said.
"We've already had some verbal confirmation. It's done, it's over the line, it's completed."
With Dandaloo still in the running for an unheard-of "grand slam", no announcements about coaches or players will be made before the Lions finish their campaign.
However, Shoot-out can reveal the new club will wear a strip reminiscent of defunct A-League franchise North Queensland.
The Fury will play at Dandaloo Sportsground and train at Lakelands Oval with Dapto and Dandaloo's respective junior clubs to remain separate entities.
Dandaloo Hotel will host functions after home games and Dapto Leagues Club will be the venue for the season launch and presentation.
The clubs have agreed to a two-year trial - including separate committees - after which either outfit can walk away.
"If there were five Dandaloo members and three from Dapto or vice versa it would look like a takeover," Waller said.
"Off the field the members of the committees are good mates, we're all in for the same thing, we're all focused on the same thing. We're after long-term viability."
Waller shot down suggestions that either participant was in financial turmoil.
"It will be a very, very powerful club financially," Waller said.
"Every club is under the pump, we're just trying to be proactive.
'Twenty, 30 years ago, Bellambi and Corrimal used to be the powerful clubs in the league, now they're nowhere."
Dapto president Darren Sparks said shrinking volunteer numbers, not coffers, forced the Eagles' hand.
"Our committee is down to just four full-time members plus the people who help out at the ground on match days," Sparks said.
"There's no cash problems, we have been in the Premier League for a while and Dapto Leagues Club have been massive supporters.
"The pros have definitely out-weighed the cons."
Both clubs reported opposition from die-hard supporters but are confident the new entity will draw it's fair share of fans.
"Dandaloo are having a lot of success at the moment, we're a strong club and are usually in the semis," Sparks said.
"This could be big for the whole of Dapto."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/fury-merger-to-change-south-coast-football/2281820.aspx?storypage=0
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