The others are coming
I was asked to comment in my previous post about the announcement last week that the FFA has become talks with a consortium to create a second Melbourne team for the 2010/11 A-League season. I provided a brief response but I thought I would elaborate.
Initially I was skeptical of the idea of a second team in Melbourne, mainly because there was probably other areas in Australia that could be better served by an A-League team rather than create a second team here in Melbourne. But after some thought I personally can’t wait for the inclusion of a second team in Melbourne. The A-League in order to continue to grow needs to great some serious rivalries. Whilst Melbourne Victory has fairly intense rivalries with Sydney and Adelaide - a city rival would be so much better. I can’t wait for the sold out crowds that will surely be the envy of all other states.
I’m not too sold on the name “Melbourne Heart” but it is my understand that this is just a consortium name and is more likely to Melbourne City or Melbourne United. And as for colours for the proposed new team - I reckon they should be red. Why red you may ask? When you think of all the city rivalries around the world, more often than there is a red half and a blue half. Think of Liverpool and Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City, AC Milan and Internazionale, Lazio and Roma and Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich just to name a few.
My only concern with a second team in Melbourne is their proposed target. With the Victory already well established as one of the best supported teams in the country it will be initially difficult for the new team to attract their own audience. Their has been talk of this team targetting or basing themselves in the ever expanding south eastern suburbs of Melbourne. For me I don’t believe this is a wise move, they should just aim to be an alternative to the Melbourne Victory.
Bring on 2010 I say - I can’t wait for the derby games. Plus it gives me the opportunity to go and watch football every weekend.
Tags: ffa, melbourne heart, melbourne victory
October 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I agree that it will be hard for this new club to find an audience, but its too early to call at this stage. If they end up signing some of the names mentioned in the paper today — Dukes, Skoko — then that would certainly get people on their side. (Out of curiosity, didn’t Viduka sign a deal with Victory saying that should he return it would be for MV? I remember hearing that a couple of years ago…)
As for the name, well, Hearts isn’t great. And if we get ANOTHER United in the comp I’m gonna be severely annoyed. Melbourne City is OK, wouldn’t mind FC Melbourne — that gives MV two FC’s to hate! As long as it is original I’m happy.
And I wouldn’t read to much into all the Casey talk, I’m viewing it from an AFL perspective: all the clubs are ‘based’ in the suburbs but essentially play out of the same two venues and have broad appeal. That’s at least how I see it.