ationship following Balotellis criticism in an interview.He was p

A combined Brisbane Strikers-Ipswich bid is firming as a leading contender for A-League expansion but hopes of a new stadium depend on securing state and federal government support.Its understood Miron Bleiberg, the former A-League coach who is one of the key figures involved with the Strikers bid, met with Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale on Monday to discuss the possibility of forming an alliance.While the Strikers have not yet abandoned the idea of going it alone, a joint effort would significantly boost the bids financial and political standing and become an attractive option in the eyes of Football Federation Australia.Specific criteria for expansion will be released early next year, but FFA has made no secret of its desire for more teams in major cities, and the new vision for the Strikers is to pitch to Brisbanes sprawling western suburbs, including Ipswich, Toowoomba and Logan - all up, a catchment area of around 500,000 people and growing.Its envisaged the Strikers brand would be retained, but the name of the team could change to include a reference to Brisbanes so-called western corridor, where some of the investors associated with the bid have business interests.However, a new team would have to share Suncorp Stadium with Brisbane Roar until funding can be arranged for a boutique stadium to be built as desired, most likely in Springfield.With the state and federal governments having recently tipped in a total of $240 million for a new stadium in Townsville, its unclear whether that would be immediately forthcoming.Were going to have to do some work out here, we need state and federal government support, Pisasale told AAP.But theyve got to start realising growth means we need sporting facilities.These stadiums are not just for the A-League teams, they get used by all the other juniors.Ipswich is growing at an enormous rate and whats missing is the infrastructure to go with it.The alliance is unlikely to include support from Logan City Council, who are already committed to building a $9 million home base for Brisbane Roar at Heritage Park.Pisasale said he was sure other investors and sponsors would throw their hat in the ring if they could be shown proof of return on investment by FFA.Pisasale has a long-standing relationship with FFA chief executive David Gallop, who in his previous capacity with the NRL toured Ipswich in 2009 when rugby league was considering expansion.Gallop said it was the ideal area for a new team and even used a similar analogy - that the NRL had to go where the fish are biting - to the one that has become the catch-phrase of the A-League expansion debate.Pisasale described the NRL as hopeless and said they had dropped the baton by not expanding into Ipswich.Cheap Spud Webb Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. 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Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court.Brendan Rodgers concedes he never really clicked with Mario Balotelli when the pair where at Liverpool.The Celtic boss was responding to the Italian internationals comments that he had the biggest disappointment with Rodgers when the 26-year-old was asked about his former coaches.Rodgers brought the former Inter Milan and Manchester City player to Anfield in August 2014 in a surprise transfer from AC Milan but the move never worked out and he joined Nice in the summer. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers The Northern Irishman, who has made an impressive start to his stewardship at Celtic Park, reflected that the pair had a strained relationship following Balotellis criticism in an interview.He was probably absolutely spot on, Rodgers told talkSPORT. I just couldnt really connect with Mario.He was one that came in very late in the window. It was a gamble taken from a club perspective.It was one where, hes a big talent, hell come in and develop, hes got all the tools. In all fairness, I just findd it very difficult to connect with Mario.dddddddddddd Mario Baloteli has made a great start at Nice On the field, he tried his best. But yeah, it certainly wasnt something that worked out as everyone would like.If you sit with him in the office, the guys a good fella, a good guy. If he could ever match that intensity with his talent, then hed be one of the best players in the world.On the field, it was something that never worked out. That season was difficult for us.But now I hope hes got a club that might be a final chance over in France. But hopefully it can work out for him.Balotelli has made an impressive start to the season with Nice, scoring six league goals to guide them to the top of Ligue 1.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price!Also See:Celtic videoCeltic fixturesCeltic statsGet ￡10 free bet! ' ' '