Football Wagga welcomed a major player back into the ring on Thursday.
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The prospect of playing in a larger competition was all too enticing for Leeton United and the prospect of a stronger competition, with Leeton on board, was all too enticing for Football Wagga.
So Football Wagga formally approved Leeton’s expression of interest, and president Erwin Budde made the phone-call on Thursday morning to welcome Leeton on board.
“It’s pleasing to be accepted back in,” Leeton president Rod Harrison said.
“The club’s very much behind the move, it was the players that asked for the change, they were always keen to go into a competition with more clubs to play against.
“It’s not a reflection on us, wanting to get out of Griffith, it’s about bringing everyone together.”
The Leeton move comes amid a period of instability in Griffith. Harrison hopes that other Griffith-based clubs will follow suit.
“There are talks of other clubs seriously considering coming to Wagga,” he said.
“If you want more competition, and you’re serious about the game, you’re going to have to do it."
Harrison’s concerned Leeton may be scapegoated as the club that broke ranks and further-weakened the Griffith competition.
“If the blame comes to us that’s unfortunate,” he said.
“It’s not our fault, we’ve just wanted a stronger competition in the Riverina.”
In upcoming days Budde will be in discussions with Griffith figureheads to discuss practicalities of a combined association.
However, it’s unlikely Wagga clubs, particularly smaller clubs such as South Wagga, Tumut and Young, will welcome the idea of travelling long distances regularly/
Leeton United FC will bolster the Wagga-based competition with three men’s teams and a women’s team.
Lake Albert Pascoe Cup premier Fred Gardner awaits the challenge.
“Bring it on, I can’t wait,” he said.
“People are saying Leeton will win the minor premiership, I’m saying as long as our team is there, no one else will win it."