The St Kilda Football Club is eyeing a new home in either Port Melbourne or Melbourne's south-east after announcing today it would abandon its home of 42 years at Moorabbin.

St Kilda CEO Archie Fraser confirmed the move was "100 per cent" certain after the club's negotiations with the City of Kingston broke down over a new Moorabbin development, including a revamped social club.

At a press conference at Moorabbin this afternoon, Mr Fraser said the decision to move headquarters came after Kingston councillors on Monday supported a reduction in poker machines at the new St Kilda social club.

Mr Fraser said that, after four years of negotiations and compromise "at every level", the club felt let down by the council.

He said the club would not "form a partnership with someone we don't trust".

Mr Fraser said the club had held talks with both the City of Port Phillip and the City of Casey in the past year and both were keen to host the Saints.

Mr Fraser said VFL club Port Melbourne wanted to redevelop its ground but wasn't in a financial position to do so - something St Kilda might be able to help with.

He also indicated a new home in Casey, in Melbourne's fast-growing outer south-east was also a good option.

While "both have different benefits", Mr Fraser said players had indicated a preference for Port Melbourne.

"The playing group all live in the bayside area and the playing group would prefer a move to Port Melbourne," he said.

This morning Mr Fraser told radio station SEN this morning that the move was a disappointment.

"I think that's the reason why we're making the call to be honest to move and we're been working with them (Kingston City Council) for four years on this," Mr Fraser said.

"We know the benefits of having an AFL club and you know the work the players do in the community on an ongoing basis, so it's very disappointing."

St Kilda Football Club said they have had discussions with the City of Port Phillip and the City of Casey council.

The club's spokeswoman told theage.com.au that the club's gaming area will remain in operation.

"We've got this lease for another 30 years ... the gaming area will remain, so we'll go and look at redeveloping somewhere else,"she said.

The City of Kingston's Mayor Topsy Petchey issued a statement on the move this morning.

"After extensive consultation that resulted in strong community support, Council agreed to the sale of land to permit a shift of the Football Club's social club and gaming facilities from within Moorabbin Reserve to the South Road frontage," the Mayor said in his statement.

"We are particularly disappointed the Football Club would abandon the Moorabbin community after so many years of sustained support."

theage.com.au