Intaj Khan urges investors, supporters and the wider community to unite behind Western United and protect a football pathway for the next generation.
Former Wyndham councillor and potential Western United investor Intaj Khan has called on investors, football supporters, businesses and the wider community to come together to save Western United and ensure the club remains firmly based in Melbourne’s west.
The call comes after Western United’s A-League licence was terminated and Wyndham Council ended its agreement with the club’s parent company to deliver the proposed 15,000-seat stadium in Tarneit.
Khan said the loss of Western United would be a significant blow to Melbourne’s rapidly growing western suburbs, particularly the thousands of young people who see football as a pathway to professional sport.
“Western United must remain in Melbourne’s west. This club is more than just an A-League team — it represents an opportunity for young people across our community to dream of playing football at the highest level,” Mr Khan said.
Khan calls on investors to step forward
Mr Khan urged investors who have previously expressed interest in Western United to reconsider their position and explore every possible opportunity to keep the club alive.
“I strongly encourage all investors who have expressed an interest in Western United to come forward again and work together. I also call on the community, football supporters and local businesses to support efforts to save the club,” he said.
Khan previously joined businessman Azeezur Rahaman in exploring an investment and takeover opportunity involving Western United.
Following the termination of the club’s A-League licence, Khan said he was deeply disappointed, revealing that an investor group he was involved with had been interested in rebuilding the club.
“I feel very sorry, and my heart is shattered because I had an investor group who were interested in building up this club,” Mr Khan said.
He also said he remained open to working with others who wanted to secure a future for Western United.
“We hope to work with anyone in the future who wants to save this club.”
A pathway for the next generation
Mr Khan said the future of Western United should not be considered only in terms of professional football, but also through the opportunities the club can create for young people across the western suburbs.
Wyndham and surrounding communities are continuing to experience significant population growth, creating an increasing need for high-quality sporting opportunities and pathways for young athletes.
“We need to think about the children growing up in the west today. They need local role models, sporting opportunities and a pathway to achieve their dreams. Western United can provide that platform.”
Khan believes the club can play an important role in developing young footballers and providing them with a pathway from grassroots football towards the professional game.
Western United must stay in the West
The proposed 15,000-seat stadium on Sayers Road in Tarneit was originally intended to provide Western United with a permanent home and was a major part of the club’s successful A-League bid in 2018.
Although the stadium was never constructed, Western United established a presence in the region through its 5,000-capacity Ironbark Fields facility.
Khan said any future revival of the club should maintain its strong connection to Wyndham and Melbourne’s west.
“Western United belongs in the west. If the club is given another opportunity to rebuild, it should remain here and continue investing in our young people and our football community.”
A call to the community
With Western United now outside the A-Leagues, the club’s future remains uncertain.
However, Khan believes the current situation should be viewed as an opportunity to bring together investors, supporters, businesses and community leaders to find a way forward.
“This is the time for people who believe in Western United to come together. We should not allow the club to disappear after everything that has been built over the years.”
For Khan, the future of Western United is about more than maintaining an A-League licence.
It is about ensuring that young footballers in Melbourne’s west have a local club they can aspire to represent.
The message is clear: save Western United, keep the club in Melbourne’s west, and protect the pathway for the next generation of footballers.
