By Adrian Ceddia
TWO new teams, three extended breaks and a host of mouth-watering clashes are set to feature in the 2006 Football Federation Victoria (FFV) Premier League.
Defending champion Green Gully will join 13 other teams vying for the state’s highest soccer crown in what will be one of the most intriguing seasons in recent times.
Richmond and Kingston enter the league after successful campaigns in State League One, replacing St Albans and Bentleigh Greens, which filled the bottom two spots last season.
The opening round, scheduled to begin on 3 February, sees both newcomers in action on the first night.
Kingston will play host to Sunshine Georgies, while Richmond travels to take on Essendon Royals.
In one of the matches of the round, this year’s runner-up Heidelberg United will take on South Melbourne, while Green Gully goes head-to-head with Oakleigh Cannons and finalists Fawkner/Whittlesea and Altona Magic play off for the three points.
The Premier League takes its first break after round four for two weeks while the state team plays its annual series against Chinese team Tanjin Teda in March.
The series, which has been popular among players, is an important part of the calendar according to FFV CEO Tony Pignata.
“Strategically and culturally it is important to continue to forge links with our friends in China,” he said.
“Australia officially moves into the Asian Football Confederation in just over three weeks and there are some exciting times ahead.”
After the break, the league resumes with the eagerly anticipated grand final replay between the Cavaliers and Heidelberg.
In mid-April the league will have another two-week breather over Easter, before a three-week siesta in June combining the Queen’s Birthday holiday with the World Cup finals in Germany.
“There is going to be enormous interest in the FIFA World Cup with Australia competing, so we have decided to install a fortnight’s break,” Pignata said.
With the outstanding success of South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights’ introduction into the Premier League in 2005, the FFV is confident the game will continue to move forward.
“Overall we think we have put together a good set of fixtures and we are confident that we can continue on with the remarkable success of last years Vodafone Premier League,” Pignata said.
“Crowds grew 300 per cent last year and a recent poll on our website shows that an overwhelming number of our fans are confident that this success will continue in 2006.”
