The overwhelming success of the Coastal Premier League in the first two seasons has brought about a change of heart from North Coast Football and Football Mid North Coast.
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Ten clubs covering both zones originally gained three-year licences in 2019 which would start for the competition's inaugural season in 2020.
Following the 2020 season, all clubs had a discussion in December with both zones (NCF and FMNC) where the idea of expansion was put forward.
It is believed Taree Wildcats was the only club that submitted a formal letter in January which did not support the competition increasing from 10 teams to 12.
In July, FMNC again advised all Coastal Premier League clubs of its intention to expand in 2022 which was met with no reaction or dissent.
"I would hope rather than being seen as a negative that it's seen as a massive positive and we embrace this and look forward to season 2022 with even greater competition."
- Football Mid North Coast chairman Mike Parsons
FMNC chairman Mike Parsons remains confident the increase from 10 teams to 12 for the 2022 season should be embraced, not challenged.
"I would hope rather than being seen as a negative that it's seen as a massive positive and we embrace this and look forward to season 2022 with even greater competition," he said.
Taree Wildcats stated they did not believe more teams should have been added to the competition citing the length of the season and a lack of support from existing clubs as the main reasons in a social media post on September 15.
Mr Parsons rejected those claims, saying all clubs were made aware of expansion through both zones and the Wildcats were the only club who voiced their concerns, which were taken on board.
"There were numerous discussions held about (expansion) and it was no secret, it was certainly very public about the intention right from the beginning," he said.
"The conversation started back in December and I find it interesting the pushback has only commenced after we made the announcement of Southern United.
"While I respect Taree Wildcats' right to have an opinion and be vocal about it I am a little bit disappointed."
Mr Parsons said the 2022 season would only be one week longer than the 2021 campaign which had two free weekends included in the full season schedule.
"We did have two bye rounds scheduled this year and we're more than confident even if we start the competition a week earlier and have one bye round, the season will only extend to the same length that it would have done this year," Mr Parsons said.
Wildcats president Ben Sedlen said if FMNC stuck to their original license plan, it would have likely been a fair playing field for all clubs interested in applying.
"It would also have given us as a club the space to continue to implement our improvement plan," he said.
"This was in our opinion one of the key reasons that we entered the CPL and one of the key benefits of helping FMNC filling the CPL vacancy in 2019.
"This was the key reason the licence system existed. Our club is investing heavily in growing the game, and to have the rules that we are working within changed is disappointing."
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