Western United’s slim hopes of returning to the A-League competitions have ended with Australia’s top soccer governing body canning the club’s participation agreement, but the club have vowed to “work towards a return for the 2027/28 season”.
The club released their response to the APL’s decision to can their participation agreement on Monday afternoon, saying the decision “should be the reset that allows the club to rebuild and return stronger”.
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“Over recent months, we have worked closely with the APL on a pathway that gives the club the best opportunity to survive, rebuild and return to the A-League under new ownership,” the club said.
“This creates an opportunity for new custodians, new investment and a fresh start.
“The objective must now be to preserve Western United’s identity in Melbourne’s west and work towards a return to the A-League for the 2027/28 season.
“The priority now is for the APL, Wyndham City Council, governments, prospective owners and the football community to work together to find a sustainable pathway forward.
“Hundreds of young players in our academy and thousands more across schools and community clubs in the west deserve a professional pathway and the opportunity to dream of one day representing Western United and Australia.
“This should not be the end of Western United. It should be the reset that allows the club to rebuild and return stronger.
“Melbourne’s west deserves professional football. Our supporters deserve their club. And the next generation deserves something to dream about. Forever West.”
The A-League’s administrators, Australian Professional Leagues issued a statement on Monday confirming the “decision to terminate Western United’s Club Participation Agreement.
That has essentially ruled out the return of the Victorian club’s men’s and women’s sides.
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The club was placed under conditional hibernation prior to the beginning of the A League’s 2025-26 season in what the club assured was “not a farewell, nor a step back”.
“This is an investment in our future, a proactive move that will empower us to reset and come back revitalised,” the club said in a statement last year.
United have been pursued over a $15.5m tax debt from the ATO throughout 2026 while being on the verge of liquidation, and in May had their bid to have the licence reactivated for the 2026-27 season knocked back by Football Australia.
Now, the APL have moved to permanently remove Western United from its leagues after a “breach of a number of its obligations”.
“Since the club was placed into conditional hibernation in September 2025, the APL has been in close consultation with Western United as they’ve worked through financial, governance and legal matters to try and rebuild the club,” APL chair Stephen Conroy said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“The APL board has since taken the decision to terminate Western United’s Club Participation Agreement.
“The club was in breach of a number of its obligations under that agreement, including its obligation to comply with the Football Australia National Club Licensing Regulations.
“It’s been a difficult period for everyone connected to Western United – and we want to acknowledge the management, staff, players and especially the fans – who have given so much to the Club and will no doubt be hurt by this news.”
The club played 165 matches across 7 A League Men’s campaigns after joining the league as an expansion side in 2019.
They lifted their first and only championship in just their third season in 21-22 before.
The side failed to reach the finals again until 24-25, losing to Melbourne City in the semi-finals in what would go onto be their final ever to flight game.