Led by businessman Ian Rowden, the bid for a new Sydney team in the A-League received the rights for the league's 12th licence in September 2009. Rowden's group was awarded the licence to join the A-League's 2011–12 season on 29 September 2009. After many months of delays and scrutiny, the Sydney Rovers bid was declined entry into the 2011–12 A-League season, making way for a more financial and technically sound bid. On 10 December 2010 the provisional licence was formally withdrawn by the FFA. Two years later the Western Sydney region finally gained an A-League side when the Western Sydney Wanderers were announced, their debut season being the 2012–13 A-League season.
Colours and badge
The Rovers' colour scheme, based on the club's badge, was to be red, white and black. The club's prototype kit was announced on 19 February. It was a tri colour, consisting of red white and black thirds. The club badge featured a traditional shield-like design divided vertically into three bars of red, white and black. Three white stars outlined in black form a triangle in the chief of the shield, with the top star lying partly outside it. The stars represented the north, west and south of Sydney. Underneath the stars is written the word Sydney in black. Below this, a banner across the centre of the shield has the word Rovers. In the base of the shield is written FC in red, directly underneath which is a traditional black and white football.
Stadium
It was undecided where the club would play home games but Parramatta Stadium and Penrith Stadium were the main grounds the club was looking at, with Parramatta being the favoured choice of fans. The club also suggested that home games be alternated between Parramatta and Penrith to appeal to a wide range of fans across Western Sydney. On 5 July 2010 it was confirmed that Parramatta Stadium, Penrith Stadium, Sydney Showground Stadium and Campbelltown Stadium were bidding to be Sydney Rovers' home ground for the inaugural season in 2011–12 with Stadium Australia confirming they were only bidding for a handful or marquee games.
Ownership
The Rovers foundation board members included Ian Rowden, his partner at law firm DLA Phillip Fox, Peter Tredinnick, former Socceroo John Moore, Director of Global Brands and former Olympic marketing executive and former Socceroo great, Charlie Yankos.
