Concrete deals with two potential top-level sponsors are all that prevents the Illawarra from challenging for a spot in next season's A-League.

With global express and logistics company DHL already on board, Great South Football is hoping to be able to finalise big money deals with major electronics and mobile phone companies by the middle of next month.

Despite the fierce competition that will come from Gold Coast and North Queensland bids, Illawarra A-League bid chairman Eddy De Gabriele said a South Coast bid should not be counted out.

"We believe this community thoroughly deserves a team in the national football competition," he said.

"We have a very strong football heritage, our youth and supporters deserve a team in the A-League.

"We are extremely close to finalising our bid."

Great South Football had been working towards a 2009 entry into the league, but rumours of league expansion being fast tracked by 12 months increased urgency among the group.

De Gabriele said the two potential sponsors, who would join DHL at the club's highest level of corporate support, would be discussing potential deals next month.

But with rumours Football Federation Australia may finalise plans to expand the league to 10 teams shortly after the February 24 grand final, time may count against the region.

An invitation has been extended to FFA boss Ben Buckley to visit Wollongong to discuss the proposal and look at the facilities first hand.

De Gabriele said his group had received an assurance they would get a chance to press their case before a final decision was made.

The prominent Illawarra businessman also confirmed DHL Australia's commercial manager Bill Drossos had joined the Great South Football board.

As well as settling on four levels of corporate sponsorship, Great South Football have made room for community shareholders.

"This team will not be a private entity, we want the community to be part of the club," De Gabriele said.

Great South Football have finalised a deal to play at WIN Stadium and expect to have a website running by the end of the month.