I don't mind Melbourne Heart, but I also like Sporting Melbourne. Looks like it's going to be Melbourne Heart though. I'm happy with red and white for the colours, but maybe maroon would go well with the name. It's a pretty traditional football colour that hasn't been used in the A-league yet. Not really too fussed where they decide to train. I'd like a decent overseas marquee player tho. Not some old socceroo who is going to cruise along in the twilight of their career.

Welcome to the new revolution in Melbourne football mate. Enjoy it. This will be one fun time following the new club.

My hope is the coach lives up to everything the experts say about him. Speaking to a few in the know, he is a real special character and they are looking forward to seeing his quality in the A-League.

I actually like Muscat, always have, I don't quite know what my beef was with the Victory, but just never felt like a fan, more a follower. Have more passion for this club already.

What is your preferance for a name, colours and training location mate?

Not surprising really, their reputation precedes them. But they never learn so only have themselves to blame

Can confirm Melbourne fans, have to empty there pockets, be searched, and are not aloud to bring anything into the stadium, at away games.

New to the forums here, just wanted to say I plan on supporting the Heart. I've been to about half a dozen Victory matches but I've never really got into them that much. I think it's because I can't stand Kevin Muscat. The way he acts on the pitch really annoys me! :twisted:
Hope JVS will play a dutch style with lots of slick passing and plenty of dedication from the players.

There are A-League supporters groups who have drums (usually floor drums) in the home support area.

Just that these supporters groups generally don't carry on like muppets every chance they get and have good relations with Stadium security and their respective clubs.

Heck, I have been with away supporters and they have been able to take a bass drum into an away ground.



Edited by Keyser Söze: 13/1/2010 01:41:42 PM

I'm pretty sure they expected to have the go ahead a day or two earlier, which would have meant the badge application could have been filed prior to the FFA person going on holiday.


** For the record, if anyone from the FFA is reading this - PM me and I'll be happy to file your mark for you. Let Heart get the action moving!

Edited by Benjamin: 13/1/2010 01:37:36 PM

No, no. FFA want heart "fans" to be almost AFL style.
By that i mean, pom poms, and brief claps.
Im fairly sure most teams bring in drums.
Melbourne has 2 or 3, Sydney has idk how many, Newcastle has drums, CCM probably has a whole kit, seeing there decked out in revolting advertisement.
But in the end of the day, im fairly sure its the Stadiums choice.

Surely that can't be true. If it is, then it is absolutely pathetic on the FFA's part. You'd think they would want the Heart to have some sort of momentum coming into the new year.

My personal feeling is that drums at football are about as annoying as it gets.

The official stance is that they are a health risk - if they are small then they could be used as weapons, if they are large then they could cause an obstruction in the event of an emergency.

True. Kind of shitty that an entire organization is being held up by someone's holiday.

In regards to the drums, i wasn't aware it was such a struggle to get drums in. Why? Am I going to stab someone in the face with it? Maybe drum someone to death?

As a point of interest. I understand that the chap at the FFA who lodges all of their trade mark applications went on holiday just before Christmas and isn't back yet - this, apparently, is the reason that the Heart badge design hasn't been filed and there is such a hold-up on announcing the name, badge, colours, etc.

Poor form if true - because frankly, lodging a trade mark application is something that takes about 10 minutes and could be handled by anyone capable of turning on a pc!

Sounds good in theory, obviously need to know the specifics but anything is possible in this world, and if it benefits the organisation you would think it would be all good.

There could be partnership type arrangements even involving the FFA and the Heart with investors, just need the right idea and plan of action.

I am trying to think of some as we speak, need work to quieten down a bit first.

Well you can always bang the seat in front of you.

Good luck with that. You guys have no idea, do you. You'll be lucky to get one in, let alone multiple.

Victory fans went through hell to get one allowed into Olympic Park and then Etihad. A drum wasn't even allowed into Olympic Park for our first few matches.

If the FFA gets their way the Heart's active fans will be a cookie cutter supporters group with no independence whatsoever.

Great idea with the drums, I can bring parts of my practice kit along.

Do you think the owners of the Heart franchise would be prepared to give up a proportion of equity, and give Mum and Dad (or small business) investors the opportunity of buying a small piece of the football club? It would have the following benefits: (a) attracting added public interest, (b) create a core fan base which can be built on, (c) differentiate itself from Victory - the people's club, the Heart of Melbourne etc and (d) raise more capital. Pretty much what the Canberra bid did, and what NQF intend to do.





Edited by johnny come lately: 13/1/2010 09:38:59 AM

So no joint ventures with a third party then?

People have been talking about the lack of clubroom facilities for A-League franchises for quite some time.

The problem is:
(1) in order for it to be an official 'club' venue, it has to have the support of both the franchise and the FFA (because without the FFA's support they can't use the franchise name or badge at the venue).
(2) the FFA isn't likely to support any endeavour that will earn money off the A-League for a non-franchise related entity; which means...
(3) unless the franchise itself wishes to invest in the venue, it won't happen...
(4) due to the cost of property, particularly in Richmond, it's unlikely that Heart (who are already demonstrating low-ball negotiation techniques with regard to facilities) would be up for the financial investment required to set up a 'social club'.

Anyway - matchdays won't be an issue, there will be plenty of local pubs happy to take the extra business - and 'unofficial club pubs' will become fan meeting points soon enough.

I've already got a bass drum. Don't ask why. I'll be happy to bring that to games or lend it someone when I'm not able to attend. If a fan based forum is up and running, it can easily be organized.

Fair enough mate, just wanted to see your thoughts on it.

I have no doubts the Heart will base themselves in a region they feel will give them the best support (local government support, financial support, public interest support, future growth support etc), whether that be North/South/East or West but they will not segregate to that only area. They need a training base so they have to be somewhere, but they are a team for all of Melbourne to enjoy, not just a particular region.

I am really liking that pub idea in Richmond, will have to talk to a few people about the idea....Know a few guys interested in investment stuff that may feed off this idea.

"The Heart of Melbourne" I can see it now.... \:d/

I like the Rovers basing themselves in the west, but i think they should just target that area, otherwise it will give everyone a mixed message about what they stand for and also spread their resources too thin.

I have said my bit regarding what I think MH's strategy should be. I don't think what they are doing now will be the most effective strategy, but nevertheless that is the course of action they will take. Now I am thinking of ways to garner support using their current strategy, that's all.

Isn't that exactly what Sydney Rovers are doing?

Basing themselves in the West but targeting the whole of Sydney? Yet you like what they are doing and don't like the Heart strategy? A tad confused. To me the Heart will base themselves somewhere as a training complex yet be a club for the whole of Melbourne. It was always going to be like that and so it should be.

Your last line is exactly what the Heart are trying to tackle. A tangible presence over Melbourne....

I think a Social Club needs to be where they are basing themselves, but a pub linked with the Heart in the "Heart" of Melbourne is a good idea for before game entertainment and a meeting place. I can imagine the fans walking from there to the stadium then after games either celebrating or drowning their sorrows. Would again create a good atmosphere around Melbourne and have a greater presence.

An old style pub named "The Heart of Melbourne" in Richmond would be a great idea...any investors around? A pub in Swan Street Richmond would be ideal. A short walk to the stadium.

The social club in Bundoora would work if Heart was targeting that specific area (I won't go into it again!), they could still have that, but they definitely have a presence that is central as they are targeting the whole of Melbourne.

The social club should not some brand new soulless eyesore, but maybe a big old pub (or old building) in Richmond that is done up tastefully, so it has an authentic and valuable feel about it (people will appreciate that - it's the little things that will make the difference). It should be walking distance to the Rectangle.

They could also have alliances with a few outer suburban pubs (no shit-holes) where people can congregate and watch the game - and get discounted drinks or meals etc.

Anyway just some ideas, but Heart definitely needs a tangible presence all over Melbourne.

Fantastic idea mate.

A social club would be very good, it is something that should be looked into. I wonder if the rumors are true and they are thinking of building a base in the North of Melbourne would they have a social club complex there? That could have more of a community aspect to it. Things like Member benefits and discount drinks/meals/social functions etc? Having the away games broadcast into the complex with members able to get in and enjoy a drink or three would be fantastic.

As for the drum beat sounds - I love it, think it is fantastic and gives the Heart fans a point of difference in atmosphere. All ideas to consider and give to the club.

I don't hate the Victory - It's just ...

"Stand up if you sort of dislike the way victory play, and never really felt a connection to them" ... it doesn't really have the same ring to it.

Love "The Tangle". Tangla at the Tangle. :lol:
I think Jonny come lately's idea of a social club is an awesome idea.
If we want grassroots, then it should start at the pub.
I read Scott Munn's latest article on the melbourneheartsyn website and he's really said many things that Heart supporters have said they are after.
This is why people will support the club.
The relations with sponsors of the AFL coming together sounds interesting and workable. He should know as he has worked with them in the past.
This club is already thinking outside the box and it's as welcome as the cool change we had today. =d>


Edited by jollyrodger: 12/1/2010 11:24:20 PM

Why so? I thought the team was going to be called Melbourne Heart FC... or did I miss the memo that restricted the use of the word melbourne supporter chants...

Oh here's a good one

"Stand up... If you hate victory, Stand up... If you hate victory, Stand up... if you hate victory, Stand up... If you hate victory
Sit Down... If you hate victory, Sit Down... If you hate victory, Sit Down... if you hate victory, Sit Down... If you hate victory"

Repeat.

Drum beats - good call! Need to work on content but a good start - I like it!

I think sooner or later 'lick my' will get the message there are going to be TWO (2) teams from Melbourne in the A-league. The penny will drop when we beat them in the first derby at 'The 'tangle!' (work with me here!).

Keep 'em coming!

I like the drum-beat thing , I think that could really work.

Another thing that Heart could do to attract support would be to have a tangible presence and create a social club (as far as I know, Victory doesn't have one). It would need to be inner city (central), perhaps close to the rectangular stadium. Just somewhere for people to go to so they can connect with the club, maybe meet the players, talk shit. Somewhere to watch them play their away games with a pint.