Some interesting discussions coming from the South Melbourne corridors at their HQ at Lakeside the last couple of weeks

Since smfc's announcement in regards to its take over bid of Melbourne Heart and the CCM back in May - and also its EOI in regards to the NPL, there have been mixed response by the members and smfc is now reviewing its current position on 2 fronts:

smfc has now secured a significant amount of $$$ exceeding the offer for the Heart licence in May and many members firmly believes that along with its brand - its presence - location - culture and centralization that smfc is robust enough to claim its own licence under its own banner rather than explore the acquisition of an existing one as this funding was raised on the back of smfc's brand and its development as the strongest and most professionally administrated club outside of tier 1

Obviously acquisition is the faster option - however with expansion of the league earmarked prior to the next TV deal (as early as 2015) with as many as 4 new teams - the smfc members believe that $$$ would be better spent on smfc truly cementing its rightful place in the Australian sports domain under its own identity rather than sharing one

South Melbourne provides a compelling case and should work towards not only a true football proposal but to achieve true industry leadership via its media teams and collaboration with the football community in Victoria

smfc is now regarded as the third largest football broadcaster in this country behind Foxtel and SBS

On the second front, smfc members are also reviewing its position in relation to its EOI with the NPL and are not convinced the NPL at least in Victoria embraces true growth for the game nor does it adequately adopt a formula that would allow the teams with the best infrastructure to be included - thus leaving severe question marks about the true viability of this competition in VIC

The members are concerned as to why NPL_V is so distantly removed with the formula attended to by the other states and question the long term viability of this comp compared to the speed in which it was embraced and executed in NSW

Some very interesting times ahead and I believe the club will announce an information session shortly in August for its members

Cheers for the update Chris :)

If SMFC ever got into the HAL as it's own self, I'd love to go to the first Heart-SMFC derby

another south melbourne expansion thread.

though i do agree that south melbourne would be a great addition to the league. i would hope to see wollongong wolves and south melbourne come into the a-league in 2015.

Edited by williamn: 19/7/2013 02:56:00 PM

That's a good call (y)

State League

While Wollongong might appeal to you and I as an option for expansion Gallop in his interview yesterday said he was looking for locations with populations in the millions, not the few hundred thousands. He also said that expansion wasn't on the agenda during this broadcast rights period which runs through to July 2017.

I would prefer a merger.

1-gives the club a geographic base
2-melbourne is not ready for a 3rd team, Heart arnt established.
3-supporters of both clubs...if successfully done, which you think would make a "big club"
4- a broadbased identity
5-a stadium for non Derbys.
6- Someone for Perth to hate.

Thx for the update.

And this is AF.



Edited by iridium1010: 19/7/2013 03:09:13 PM

To do with HAL expansion, AF.

Can someone explain why tickets for Tuesdays match are only available to members and accredited media?

+1.

State League Board?

A rumour that a state league team, South Melbourne, will maybe possibly bid for a licence when it's time to renew the TV deal (i.e. circa 2017) seems more suited to State League or Rumour Mill.

Rumor Mill I have no problem with as the club has not released a public statement as of yet, but not State League.

Maybe the expansion thread is a better place.

That to, sadly there is no merge thread option for the mods :(

You can post it here Chris, I expect this will get closed or moved to rumour.

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/forums/default.aspx?g=posts&t=78883

please delete this stupid thread ](*,)

Im a strong believer in South Melbourne being in the A-League though i think Lakeside stadium would need a bit more development on the North and South Ends, would probably get average crowds similar to that of Melbourne Heart which would get big boosts with the amount of derby's

I am against south getting into the Aleague but have got to give yous 100% for effy:lol: i mean effort=d> =d> =d>

Edited by krones3: 19/7/2013 03:47:13 PM

You only have to go on facebook groups like 'The Locker Room' to see the league is better off without these jaded types.

AF

Maybe we should have a Poll

Pretty much an Analogy of smfc - where do we fit in;)

South Melbourne FC also planning a National Road Trip

Plan is to have charity games against Adelaide -> Perth -> Brisbane -> Newcastle-> West Sydney 1 month inside the commencement of the HAL season

It will also allow us to evaluate our status against these strategic sides whom were directly or indirectly pitted against us previously

Some of these teams (excluding WSW) largest gates were against smfc


Edited by chris: 19/7/2013 04:51:28 PM

btw curious to know, what is the total size of the greek population in melbourne?

Greek Population if there is such a thing is 140K (gen 1)

1st - 2nd and 3rd generation unique Australians of Greek Heritage = >350K

3% attachment rate = >10K

Edited by chris: 19/7/2013 05:01:18 PM

As of 2011 census - 155,000 claimed partial or full Greek ancestry.

Not that it matters in regards to SMFC, as I understand it the leading Greek newspaper in Melbourne refuses to call the club "hellas" and in general the club has a frosty relationship with the Greek community as a whole, all the more incentive to push a more mainstream approach I would have thought.

Some solid points right here ^^^

Sorry but this is wrong, the census does not cover generations, it simply asks you for your ancestry, if you aren't ticking off Greek it means you aren't Greek. I find it hard to believe that over 200,000 Greeks who are notoriously proud aren't claiming their heritage, the official data is fairly consistent over a 10-20 yr period.