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Melbourne City FC

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Melbourne Heart
Full nameMelbourne Heart FC
Nickname(s)Heart
Short nameMelbourne Heart
Founded2009
ChairmanAustralia Peter Sidwell
Head CoachNetherlands John van 't Schip
LeagueA-League

Melbourne Heart FC is an Australian professional football (soccer) club based in Melbourne, Victoria which will be the 12th official franchise in the A-League.[1][2] The club was formed in 2008, and was awarded an A-League licence in 2009 to compete in the 2010-2011 season of the A-League. The team is negotiating to play home games at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.[3]

Bidding Process

Strong crowd numbers for Melbourne Victory in their second A-League season suggested to the FFA that the Melbourne market could support a second A-League side, but due to a five year exclusivity clause that exists to protect the original 8 A-League sides, no new Melbourne team could be introduced until the 2010 season. During February 2007, Victorian Major Projects Minister Theo Theophanous floated the idea of a second Melbourne franchise being formed to be tenants at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, should Melbourne Victory choose not to move to the new stadium.[4]

On February 12, 2007 the South Melbourne (Association) Football Club revealed that they were courting approaches from private investors with a view to being the second A-League club in Melbourne.[5]. As part of the South Melbourne bid, the club was to be privatised and the bid name was to be 'Southern Cross FC'.[6]

On March 1, 2008 former Carlton (Australian) Football Club vice-president and businessman Colin DeLutis expressed his interest in a second Melbourne A-league side, with an approach to the FFA to become sole owner of the second licence with the bid name of 'Melbourne City'.[7] FFA chief executive Ben Buckley raised the possibility of expanding the A-League from 8 to 12 teams in May 2008, in readiness for the 2009-10 season. Buckley also revealed the existence of a third Melbourne bid tentatively known as 'Melbourne Heart' backed by Peter Sidwell, who had some former involvement with Melbourne Victory as a potential investor . This was alongside the two other 'Southern Cross FC' and 'Melbourne City' bids.[8]

File:MelbHeartSyn.png
The winning bid for the 2nd Melbourne A-League licence

On 25 July 2008, the 'Melbourne City' bid dropped out of the bidding process leaving the 'Melbourne Heart' and 'Southern Cross FC' bids as the last two bids standing.[9].

By September 2008, the Melbourne Heart[10] bid was awarded exclusive negotiating rights for the league's 11th licence, beating out the 'Southern Cross FC' bid backed by South Melbourne. Negotiations continued until Sidwell's group was awarded the license to join the A-League's 2010-11 season by the FFA on 12 June 2009.[11]

Sponsors

On the 16th of February 2010, leading financial institution Westpac[12] teamed up with the Melbourne Heart for a three-year agreement believed to be worth close to $2 million. They will be their principal partner and the Westpac logo will appear on the Melbourne Heart kit. The club will also host 3 'Westpac' community camps across Victoria.[13]

First Signings

Players

Peter Sidwell has stated that he is keen on signing Socceroo Striker Mark Viduka[14] and Josip Skoko. Skoko announced on October 29 that he was in preliminary discussions with the new Melbourne franchise over a deal to allow him to return home.[15] John Didulica stated on Melbourne radio station SEN 1116 on October 27 that the club had not spoken to Viduka about joining the club or any other European based players for that matter.

Newcastle Jets skipper Matt Thompson and Adelaide United and former Melbourne Victory midfielder Kristian Sarkies joined the new A-League club on Monday November 23, 2009.[16] Dean Heffernan (formerly of Central Coast) also joined in late November. AIS striker Eli Babalj and midfielder Kamal Ibrahim signed for the club in late December [17] Jets player Jason Hoffman signed with the club on the 8 January. Sydney FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton was announced as having been signed on the 16th of February 2010. John Aloisi was signed in late March for a one year deal.

Chief executive Scott Munn confirmed on February 2, 2010 that the club had been in constant discussions with Viduka and that "even if he doesn't sign with us to play, he could still have a role at the club."[18]

Melbourne Heart on the 17th of April 2010, announced the signing of former Melbourne Victory youth player, James Stafrace.[19]

The club has had talent scouts all around Australia, and last year it is rumour that both Pat Moore and Sam Bennetts, caught one of their eyes at the annual Winter House Carnival, smashing up Euro Handball. However, Melbourne Heart should not get there hopes up as both players haven't agreed to sign anything unless they have consulted with their agent Mr Prosser.

Staff

The Heart offered a three year contract to secure the services of Dutch coach Henk van Stee, however the Dutchman rejected the contract offer due to family reasons.[20][21] Scott Munn was appointed as chief executive.[22] Melbourne Heart have named John van 't Schip as their inaugral coach [23]

Melbourne Heart have also secured the services of John Didulica, brother of former Croatian international Joey Didulica as the club's new football operations manager.[24]

Melbourne Heart have signed ex-Manchester United and Denmark International winger Jesper Olsen and ex-Socceroo striker Ante Milicic as assistant coaches [25].


Name, colours and badge

File:MelbHeartLogo2.jpg
Alternate badge

In October 2009, an online competition held by the Herald Sun gave the public the opportunity to submit their preferences for the name of the new Melbourne team. The preferred names were released on the Herald Sun website on November 13, 2009. The four options were 'Sporting Melbourne FC', 'Melburnians', 'Melbourne Revolution' and 'Melbourne Heart FC'. Some pondered if 'Revolution' had some context considering its intimation to the Eureka Stockade, the closest Australia has come to revolution.[26] The name of the new club was to be announced before the end of 2009 [27], but this was delayed until early 2010 due to AFL objections to the use of the words Melbourne, Football and Club [28] in the name. The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation expressed concern that the name Melbourne Heart was too similar to its annual Heart of Melbourne Appeal, and lodged a protest with IP Australia On January 22.[29]

Initially, a colour scheme of either black and white, or red and white were the two options for the club. On November 11, 2009, the Herald Sun suggested that the options for the club's kit were red and white stripes, red and white hoops, red and white sash or an Ajax derivative with a red band down the middle, in part to replicate a Reds v Blues rivalry with Melbourne Victory that is common in so many football leagues, in particular European competitions.

The club's badge was lodged to IP Australia on the 29th of January by the FFA.[30][31] On 2 February 2010, the name of the club was announced as Melbourne Heart FC.[32][33]

The club's home strip was confirmed as Red/White stripes on 29 March[34], no details have yet been released regarding home shorts, home socks or any details regarding away kit.

Training Facilities

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Melbourne Heart will base its traning and administrative facilities at La Trobe University. CEO Scott Munn has indicated a preference to have the players housed at the one location.[35]

2010/11 Squads

Senior Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Australia AUS Clint Bolton [36]
2 DF Australia AUS Matt Thompson [37]
3 DF Australia AUS Simon Colosimo [38]
5 DF Australia AUS Dean Heffernan [39]
7 MF Netherlands NED Rutger Worm [40]
8 MF Australia AUS Kristian Sarkies [41]
10 MF Australia AUS Wayne Srhoj [42]
13 MF Australia AUS Kamal Ibrahim [43]
15 FW Australia AUS John Aloisi [44]
18 FW Australia AUS Eli Babalj
19 FW Australia AUS Jason Hoffman [45]

Personnel

Year-by-year history

Melbourne League History
Season Teams Pre-Season Premiership Ladder
Position		 Finals
Qualification		 Final Ladder
Position		 ACL Qualification ACL Placing
2010–11 11 - To be played
Ladder		 - - DNQ

Supporters

A-League supporters were engaged early to help name the new franchise in conjunction with the Herald Sun. van't Schip said "The supporters having an opportunity to name their football team is very special. Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased that the supporters have gone this way." [47]

Melbourne Heart plans to attract a new market rather than trying to fit within an existing one and applauded the Victory for its trailblazing efforts. Peter Sidwell has commented that the Heart won't explicitly target former NSL fans, but stated that:

"I think they will just see we are a club who will try to integrate a form and shape of the game that will either appeal to them or not. We haven’t got a specific policy to say we are going to go after former NSL fans. We are mindful we have to deliver a game to the people that is attractive and entertaining and brings them back, so I feel we have a more global view in that regard." [48]

Melbourne Heart director Joe Mirabella said the aim was for a "people's club...with strong links to grass-roots soccer and community groups...The idea is to have a team for the whole Melbourne public...I believe there is still a lot of people out there that have not gone to any A-League game, football people who will come out once the new team comes out." He also intimated supporters could purchase small stakes in the club in a move that would be a first for any A-League franchise.[49]

Supporter led initiatives began in March 2009. A forum was created to allow supporters to interact with each other. In February 2010, once the name 'Melbourne Heart' was announced, a dedicated unofficial 'Melbourne Heart Supporters Forum' was launched. [citation needed]

On 10 February 2010, the first meeting of the 'Melbourne Heart FC Supporters Association' took place at The Imperial Hotel in Melbourne. The MHFCSA are an incorporated association dedicated to assist in the building of a fan base for Melbourne Heart and to act as the voice of the supporters to MHFC. On 1 March 2010, the MHFCSA took official ownership of the supporters forum. [citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ritson, Jon (4 August 2009). "Victory Skipper Is All Heart". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 18 August 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Aidan, Ormond (4 August 2009). "'A-League Will Hit The Big-Time'". FourFourTwo (Australia). Retrieved 18 August 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "South Melbourne wants to be second Victorian a-league club". The Age. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ http://www.smfc.com.au/news/450/investors-chase-south-melbourne-fc-for-a-league-bid/
  6. ^ http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/73354,south-melbournes-aleague-bid.aspx
  7. ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/delutis-wants-soccer-team/story-e6frfg8x-1111115684190
  8. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/aleague-set-for-melbourne-derby/2008/04/30/1209234956941.html
  9. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/sidwell-bid-tipped-to-win-second-franchise/2008/07/24/1216492641488.html
  10. ^ http://www.melbourneheartsyn.com
  11. ^ Reed, Ron (13 June 2009). "Melbourne awarded licence for second A-League team". Fox Sports (Australia). Retrieved 12 October 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=32610
  13. ^ [2]
  14. ^ Smithies, Tom (1 October 2008). "Melbourne Heart 'will sign' Viduka". Fox Sports (Australia). Retrieved 18 August 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ http://www.theworldgame.com.au/aussies-abroad/hearts-desire-for-skoko-250907
  16. ^ http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26392244-23215,00.html
  17. ^ http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/giant-striker-babalj-has-plenty-of-heart/1713642.aspx
  18. ^ Melbourne Heart FC name and logo confirmed, The Roar, Retrieved on 3 February 2010
  19. ^ Melbourne Heart FC name and logo confirmed, The Roar, Retrieved on 3 February 2010
  20. ^ Slevison, Andrew (31 August 2009). "Dutchman van Stee likely to coach Melbourne Heart". Tribalfootball (Australia). Retrieved 22 September 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Davutovic & Bernard, David & Grantley (10 September 2009). "Dutch coach Henk van Stee rejects Melbourne Heart offer". Fox Sports (Australia). Retrieved 22 September 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Bernard, Grantley (18 August 2009). "Heart set on Dutch". Herald Sun. Retrieved 18 August 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ http://www.tribalfootball.com/van%E2%80%99t-schip-unveiled-melbourne-heart-coach-373971
  24. ^ "Melbourne Heart to name Didulica as new football chief". Tribalfootball (Australia). 21 September 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ http://www.tribalfootball.com/olsen-and-milicic-unveiled-melbourne-heart%E2%80%99s-assistants-451281
  26. ^ http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/11/18/the-melbourne-heart-name-saga-rolls-on/
  27. ^ http://www.melbourneheartsyn.com/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=31516
  28. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/heart-to-make-early-start-but-stars-may-be-missing-20100126-mwb7.html
  29. ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/battle-heats-up-for-heart-of-melbourne/story-e6frf9if-1225826211461
  30. ^ http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/tmimages/cgi-bin/oracle_get_tm_images.pl?1342740
  31. ^ http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/tmimages/cgi-bin/oracle_get_tm_images.pl?1342741
  32. ^ The World Game - Melbourne Heart FC Unveiled
  33. ^ Melbourne Heart FC name and logo confirmed, The Roar, Retrieved on 4 February 2010
  34. ^ Heart signs John Aloisi
  35. ^ http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33296
  36. ^ http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/heart-sign-bolton-85994
  37. ^ http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33291
  38. ^ http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/117077,con-matts-off-to-heart.aspx
  39. ^ http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/117367,heart-snare-three-more.aspx
  40. ^ http://www.goal.com/en/news/808/australia/2010/02/23/1803999/melbourne-heart-sign-nec-attacker-rutger-worm
  41. ^ http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/117077,con-matts-off-to-heart.aspx
  42. ^ http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33372
  43. ^ http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/heart-sign-17yearold-to-aleague-deal-20100226-p8gb.html
  44. ^ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/aloisi-signs-for-melbourne-heart/story-e6frf9if-1225846701761
  45. ^ http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=31840
  46. ^ FourFourTwo - Bolton: I've Been Reborn
  47. ^ http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/heart-confirm-name-85194
  48. ^ http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=30654
  49. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/victory-blow-mirabella-turns-on-heart-light/2009/04/23/1240079798340.html
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