Passionate South Coast football supporters have pledged the $37,800 required to keep a Wollongong team in the NSW Premier League.

A community support drive at Lysaghts Oval yesterday received a strong response, with members of the public promising $45,500.

This is likely to be enough to stave off extinction for the defending state league premiers.

Wollongong have until tomorrow to pay the entry fee for next year's competition.

But the ordeal isn't over. The next step is then finding the $200,000 per season required to run the team.

Around 150 fans showed up to the rally yesterday, with many pledging $100 to help their beloved club.

The situation comes about after the demise of the Wollongong Wolves, with the new entity no longer able to use the Wolves moniker or emblem.

The new ownership model will be community-based, similar to the structure at a number of European teams, where fans' financial support gives them a say on the direction of the club.

After the collapse of the Wolves, financial backer Fred Ferriera agreed to pay off the club's $240,000 debt.

Wollongong FC spokesman Vic Cuoco said the new club, with no debts, was a "fresh start" for football in Wollongong.

"Today's pledges will go a long way to kick-starting everything," Cuoco said.

"This is a clean slate and there will be plenty in the bank, which we have never had in the past.

"For as long as I have been involved we've had a debt - and debt accumulates.

"We're starting afresh, with a new identity ... with no debt - it makes life so much easier."

In a further show of support, South Coast Football Club, the region's proposed A-League team, threw its weight behind a state league side.

The consortium, led by businessman Eddy De Gabriele, says it has made a number of representations on behalf of the struggling club, including negotiating the use of Crehan Park as a home ground for next year.