Newcomers keen to have Lucas Neill on board
BY: PETER KOGOY From: The Australian June 04, 2012 12:00AM
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WEST Sydney A-League foundation executive chairman Lyall Gorman yesterday revealed he would make Lucas Neill an offer "too good to refuse" after learning the Socceroos captain was about to come on to the market as a free agent.

Neill, 34, who was linked to an earlier failed attempt to establish an A-League franchise in western Sydney, has been told by the Al Jazira club in the United Arab Emirates that he is free to go once his deal ends on June 30.

"The news that Lucas (Neill) is off-contract has just crossed my desk," Gorman said yesterday.

"There wouldn't be a club official in the A-League who wouldn't be interested in securing Lucas's services should he decide the time was right for him to come home.

"He's shown as captain of the Socceroos to be a great leader, but at this stage I've not had any formal talks with Lucas, his management or had the chance to talk with our coach Tony Popovic to gauge his interest in securing Lucas's services.


"The situation also applies to former Socceroo Scott Chipperfield, who expressed interest on Friday of wanting to play out his career in the A-League after more than 10 years in the Swiss league.

"Lucas Neill and Scott Chipperfield are just the sort of building blocks we are looking to put in place as players over the next few weeks and months in building towards a solid foundation at West Sydney.

"They are just the sort of players people instantly recognise and would add value to the brand and culture we want to bring to the A-League table. But they are just two of hundreds of names that have been thrown into the melting pot."

Gorman said that following a series of Sydney community-based forums at Campbelltown, Mount Pritchard, Castle Hill, Rooty Hill, Blacktown, Parramatta and Penrith, the names of the club's foundation directors would be announced in "seven to 10 days".

"In addition to the community forums, we've also established strong links with the NSW Premier League clubs in the area like Sydney United, Bonnyrigg and Marconi who play under the Football NSW umbrella," he said.

"As to where we will play our matches and train, that remains an open-door policy.

"We've inspected the Sydney Olympic precinct at Homebush, looked at the facilities at both Campbelltown and Parramatta stadiums.

"Tomorrow, I'm scheduled for talks with Penrith Council and inspecting the facilities at Centrebet Stadium."

Chipperfield, a Wollongong product, has returned home to play with the Tarrawanna Blueys in the Illawarra Premier League, having earned 64 caps for the national team.

Tarrawanna secretary Phillip Porter yesterday told The Australian Chipperfield, who will make his debut against Port Kembla on July 8, has a get-out clause should he want to move to the A-League.