MFC given 2 million

[Rohan Coventry]

Mate we beg to differ as the supporter and actual member numbers vary so much.

How much supporters does it show and not members for the MCC ?

This is based on every listed member.

Only 8% of the Membership were listed as "unlisted".

60% of the base being MFC would be the norm in the 60's, not now.

 

[Eagle87]

Is there actually a plan to solve Melbournes woes - even one full of holes (like Norths) or is it just steady as she goes with handouts to meet operating costs?

I agree that the debt reduction effort was excellent and will have some impact on the bottom line (by reducing servicing costs) but it appears you are still budgeting for a net operating loss (sans handouts) and moving into a tough economic climate this seems problematic ...

 

[Mitchell Madness]

While it is good to see Melbourne stronger,

I do have to ask where North's 2 million was when we were declared unviable just a little over a year ago.

I have no issue with the CBF, but come on, we pulled ourselves out without help, so can they.

The AFL has other plans for you, but anyway, this year you made a 1.1million dollar profit, only thing is, your recieve 1.2 million

 

[omit]

Is there actually a plan to solve Melbournes woes - even one full of holes (like Norths) or is it just steady as she goes with handouts to meet operating costs?

Melbourne have a number of initiatives that have been launched this season all of which are aimed and benefiting the club in different ways. Debt Demolition being the most publicised. however the club has also launched the Mates of Melbourne initiative which is aimed at generating additional income through building business relations and hosting events and the Melbourne Heartland initiative, where every $50 donated allows 10 children, who would not normally have the opportunity, to attend a Melbourne home game. this is incredibly important in developing a fanbase amongst children and building our junior membership numbers

 

[THE EQUALIZER]

Can I ask the Melbourne supporters where your club is currently at financially?

What is your current debt, what was your revenue in 2008, how close are you to getting a major sponsor and how does the $2 million help?

If anyone is going to fix your club, you have the right man with Cameron Schwab at the helm.

 

[omit]

Can I ask the Melbourne supporters where your club is currently at financially?

What is your current debt, what was your revenue in 2008, how close are you to getting a major sponsor and how does the $2 million help?

If anyone is going to fix your club, you have the right man with Cameron Schwab at the helm.

our current debt is $2million. a few days ago it was $4million
we had $2mil outstanding in from our debt demolition campaign (hopefully that will be cleaned by the end of next year )and this year we lost a further 2$million. so the money we have just received recouped our losses for 08

no idea how the search for a sponsor is going. tough economic times combined with our incredibly crap draw and fta coverage makes it seem likely we could be without a major sponsor for 09

 

[Eagle87]

our current debt is $2million. a few days ago it was $4million
we had $2mil outstanding in from our debt demolition campaign (hopefully that will be cleaned by the end of next year )and this year we lost a further 2$million. so the money we have just received recouped our losses for 08

no idea how the search for a sponsor is going. tough economic times combined with our incredibly crap draw and fta coverage makes it seem likely we could be without a major sponsor for 09

If you were without a major sponsor in 2009, would you have an estimate of the operating position for that year (obviously estimated)?

I do wonder whether the tougher economic climate and the AFL intention to add teams may result in someone being forced to move or merge...

 

[Deenamite]

The club can get a sponsor but have been holding out for a better deal. In all likelyhood we'll take on a sponsor but not receive as much money as most other clubs do with their sponsors (rightfully so considering our position).

As a few people have mentioned in this thread there are a number of business ventures the MFC are undertaking to improve their off-field position:
- Debt Demolition
- Casey alignment (fastest growing area in Victoria)
- Demon Heartland
- Mates of Melbourne

And over 16,000 members signed to date, up more than 5,000 on last year.

 

[tribey]

I hope the Dees can sort themselves out on this one. They look to have a hell (pun intended) of a lot of work ahead of them.

Yeah, if I was grading their financial viability I'd give them a Dee-minus.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

I actually think they have some decent plans for the medium to long term future.

Casey Fields and moving into the MCG seem like very good ideas.

What I worry about is the imediate future of the next 3 to 5 years.

If they can ride that period of time out they should be okay.

What I think they need is a CFO to handle there finances, and to advise Schwab as I dont think he is particularly strong in that area.

Hopefully there debt is spread over several organisations and not to one bank.

You would hate to see them being dictated to by a debtor, because that can really limit there options, especially if they get trouble.

But they really need to look at operating costs and try to reduce them where possible.

Leave the footy department alone, but all other areas are fair game.

Set up a volunteer database, and utilise it to reduce costs.

If sponsors cant give money in current climate, maybe they can give there time and expertise instead.

You would think the AFL would like to keep the oldest club and the name Melbourne, over some other struggling clubs like North and Bulldogs and the Saints.

But they look more vunerable than those other clubs at the moment, and cant be propped up forever.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

I actually think they have some decent plans for the medium to long term future.

Finally a productive and troll-free post from an interstate poster

 

[Pessimistic]

Ironic both clubs sought merger in 1996 - and failed - but both wanted to maintain 90% of their identity. Bring the expectation down to 50% and they have a goer.

 

[medusala]

Why arent Melbourne forced to play home games on the GC in exchange for being bailed out?

I am sure North must be a bit miffed with this given the AFL's efforts towards them.

So AFL assistance is just about fixtures is it?

 

[Ice-Wolf]

You would think the AFL would like to keep the oldest club and the name Melbourne, over some other struggling clubs like North and Bulldogs and the Saints.

We aren't bloody struggling. Also the Saints and Bulldogs are both more strategically important than North. I agree with you in that i think that Melbourne is important to the competition for more than just financial reason, its the sence of history that it brings with it that is important.

As far as the AFL chopping block i can see it being like this

North
>
>
>
>
>
>
Melbourne
>
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Western Bulldogs
>x20
The Rest

 

[medusala]

We aren't bloody struggling. Also the Saints and Bulldogs are both more strategically important than North. I agree with you in that i think that Melbourne is important to the competition for more than just financial reason, its the sence of history that it brings with it that is important.

Strategically important? Melbourne has a "sence" of history? You mean 40 years since their last flag?

I can't see on what possible basis you can argue the Dogs and Melbourne have any more right or financial ability to survive than North.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Melbourne are the oldest and first club in Australian Football.
Western Bulldogs represent the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

So? I am sure that went through the minds of their members as they voted to kill their club.

It was a 'take over' not a merger.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

Why arent Melbourne forced to play home games on the GC in exchange for being bailed out?

I am sure North must be a bit miffed with this given the AFL's efforts towards them.

So AFL assistance is just about fixtures is it?

We're being directly compensated for the disgraceful and insulting fixture we received for 2009.

We play 8 home games on Sunday - the least marketable timeslot
We play 2 Saturday and 0 Friday night home games - the most marketable time slots
We host Adelaide, Port, Freo and WCE at the MCG. Terrible money making games unless your Collingwood.
We don't host Carlton or Essendon - 45,000 crowds guranteed.

Conversley, North received 2 Friday night home fixtures and plenty of Saturday home games. It sounds to me like they've got it in for Melbourne more than North.

The AFL has an obligation to give the MFC money, due to the draw from hell they gave us from a financial point of view.

 

[A Living God]

I've said it before. Melbourne shouldn't be in the AFL, their nothing team, they represent nothing. I don't necessarily want the club to die they can continue in the VFL, VAFA or any other league which they choose just not the AFL. "But where the oldest club", you are and that age has made you redundant. The demographics of Melbourne have changed so much in 150 year there is no longer a need for Melbourne Football club.

A country town founded in the 1800's as mining town. This town has to two football teams. Both are succesful, winning many premerships in a quality league but then in the 1980's the mines become unprofitable and close. Alot of the population, escpically those in their twenties, move away looking for work. This cause the clubs to struggle, there isn't enough quality local players to be compitive and the clubs don't have the money to recurit from outside the local community. After a decade of struggling both on and off the field what do the clubs do?
A) The two clubs merge.
B) One or both of the clubs drop down to lower quality league.
C) One of the clubs fold.
D) They both continue existing as they always have because their old.

 

[Snowplough]

Christ just let them die already. What's the point of keeping a terminally ill club alive, they are going to die eventually, just let it happen now before they suck all of the money from the game.

I think Melbourne would happily swap the million dollars with Collingwood if they could also swap draws.

 

[JiMaRaS]

I think Melbourne would happily swap the million dollars with Collingwood if they could also swap draws.

I dont think having Collingwoods draw would help you guys, your not a drawcard

 

[mediumsizered]

Not having a go at you, but Melbourne supporters being complacent is a complete myth. We are 5,000 members up from this time last year and have together raised $3 million for the club's debt demolition program earlier this year.

Not bad for a club sitting last on the ladder.

That's all very positive, but where have these Melbourne supporters been over the last half a dozen years (or even more)? Why wait until the club was on the brink of collapse (the scenario stated by Cameron Schwab this week) to join up?

The club played finals in 4 out of 5 years from 2002-2006 (were probably the best of the Victorian clubs for most of the 2004 season) & yet this did not translate into significantly increased memberships. That points to Melbourne supporters being complacent. My club's supporters were guilty of similar complacency until jolted into action by our sudden & major fall from grace in 2002. We have had the highest memberships in the club's history in the subsequent 6 seasons (2003-2008).

Those Melbourne supporters who are suddenly jumping on board now, because the club is in crisis, really have a lot to answer for. If the club is to survive in the long-term they must stay on 'board' permanently, not just when there is a 'call to arms'.

 

[morgoth]

As opposed to the 1.25m that Carlton was getting a few years back. THis increase of 750,000 takes into account the vast amount of Sunday games we get and lack of free to air, as opposed to Carltons 6 Friday night and something like 16 free to air games that Carlton are recieving despite their limited recent success.


We know that we have to get the finances in order withing the next few years, but i think at the present time that 1 million from the AFL is justified.

You get Sunday games and lack of FTA as, one you are not well suported and the networks and venues don't want you, and two, you are the reigning wooden spooner and likely to be so again.

Market forces at work and you have no one to blame but yourselfs. At least Schwab admitted this cannot continue if Melbourne is to be viable. Problem with welfre is it can be cut off at any time and he recognises this.

 

[medusala]

Market forces at work and you have no one to blame but yourselfs.

Lets not forget their gift blockbuster and getting a better MCG allocation than Hawthorn and Richmond.

Hawthorn were denied CBF funds by the AFL so went to Tas due to their TD games.

Hawthorn now pays to play certain "home" games at the MCG

Melbourne gets paid by the AFL to stay in Melbourne.

Yet they still whinge. How pathetic.

No wonder everyone wants North to live.

No wonder noone gives a stuff re Melbourne.

 

[Deenamite]

Keep deluding yourself

You only exist thanks to Hawthorn members.

You voted by a large majority for a merger.

The shame won't disappear for a generation.

I suggest you go and check your facts before you're severely embarrassed.