The Melbourne City Thread

[Dan Cooper]

Dude you can't seriously believe this... the names been registered... Gallop was asked about a change of colours and logo and said "oh yeah we'd be open to that". It's all already been decided.

This is a piece of global branding by Man City. They want the Heart's license and stadium contract, that's it. Whether the 5k or so Heart fans want to support it or not is basically immaterial in the whole thing.

Amen.

 

[Silent Alarm]

I'm genuinely excited about this. Mostly because sky blue is such a great colour.

 

[Riccardo11]

To any Victory supporters celebrating the "death" of Heart:

The license has been purchased, and the club will be re-branded to continue on into the future as a representative of a global brand, it is a continuation, not a new team. There are dozens of examples of this in Australian sport, admittedly with varying degrees of success: South Melbourne -> Sydney, Brisbane Bears & Fitzroy -> Brisbane Lions, Canberra Cannons -> Hunter Pirates -> Singapore Slingers, Western Sydney Razorbacks -> Sydney Spirit -> Sydney Kings, North Sydney & manly -> Northern Eagles etc etc etc.

However, having said that, even if MCFC considers Heart "dead", completely overhaul the name and colors and never mentions the first 4 seasons of our history again after this year, so what? When I decided to barrack for Heart, it almost didn't matter to me what form they took, the point was there was a second Melbourne club, entirely different from MVFC, who I have always found to be needlessly arrogant, violent, wanna be ultras, claiming they are the Manchester United of Australia, when in real football terms they'd struggle to be the Oxford United (see their borderline pathetic results in the AFC Cup).

If we have to sell our proverbial sporting soul to Manchester City in order to avoid my club being laughed at and derided as the joke of the league, I say so be it. It's not like they've been around for 100 years and have a full trophy cabinet to consider. I am emotionally invested in the success of my club, whether they wear red and white stripes or sky blue.

 

[Dan Cooper]

However, having said that, even if MCFC considers Heart "dead", completely overhaul the name and colors and never mentions the first 4 seasons of our history again after this year, so what?..

This is the most logical outcome, but most Heart supporters have put their rose coloured glasses on and are living in denial of it, and even attempting to argue against it.

You don't seem to care that Heart will likely be no more fondly remembered than the Brisbane Bears so long as you have a team to support, and that's a good attitude to have under the current circumstances

 

[boncer34]

Victory fans are scared, SMFC fans are pissed off. In a few years we'll be producing the best young Australian players while also having the best marquee's to ever grace the league. We'll be the best team in Asia and nobody can stop us.

Starts with Sal and ends in ary Cap

 

[pantskyle]

Starts with Sal and ends in ary Cap

Sal Ary will be our Captain?

Never heard of him.

 

[boncer34]

Sal Ary will be our Captain?

Never heard of him.

But seriously Pants explain to me how the Heart will dominate the competition with that in place? I just don't see how its possible.

I got asked by AFL fans the other day to explain this to them using AFL clubs. My reply was its like the Melbourne Heart have gone from being St Kilda off field (solid but not spectacular) to Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn combined.

But with the salary cap still in place I fail to see how that makes them unbeatable on the field.

 

[Riccardo11]

This is the most logical outcome, but most Heart supporters have put their rose coloured glasses on and are living in denial of it, and even attempting to argue against it.

You don't seem to care that Heart will likely be no more fondly remembered than the Brisbane Bears so long as you have a team to support, and that's a good attitude to have under the current circumstances

When did I say that? Don't presume to put words in my mouth or twist them to fit your own sad misconception of Heart fans.

I am a foundation member of Heart, I adore my club and have been to almost every home game in our short history. I absolutely care about my club, but I care about it's success and prestige a lot more than the badge or name, as such a young club, those things are window dressings to me. I am dead set on keeping red as part of our kit, but I will be happy to accept a partial rebrand as long as it fits with what the fans want.

You have no business continuing to comment on what the circumstances are, you wouldn't like it if Arsenal bought out your club, wanted to change them to red with white sleeves and Heart fans were telling you "there, there, at least you still have a club". It's condescending and rude ie typical Victory behavior!

 

[pantskyle]

But seriously Pants explain to me how the Heart will dominate the competition with that in place? I just don't see how its possible.

I got asked by AFL fans the other day to explain this to them using AFL clubs. My reply was its like the Melbourne Heart have gone from being St Kilda off field (solid but not spectacular) to Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn combined.

But with the salary cap still in place I fail to see how that makes them unbeatable on the field.

The option to have a better marquee. Better young talent coming through due to having the use of City's scouts (they'll actively be looking for players to come to us)

Better team management, better facilities etc etc.

Look I don't believe we'll become unbeatable and rule the local game. City with all there wealth don't do that in Europe. I do think it will make us a better team and a team that will challenge soon.

 

[Riccardo11]

But seriously Pants explain to me how the Heart will dominate the competition with that in place? I just don't see how its possible.

I got asked by AFL fans the other day to explain this to them using AFL clubs. My reply was its like the Melbourne Heart have gone from being St Kilda off field (solid but not spectacular) to Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn combined.

But with the salary cap still in place I fail to see how that makes them unbeatable on the field.

Two Words: Marquee player.

There is also the possibility that the quality players, which Heart has had trouble attracting, may be drawn to the club because of the City connection, and will be willing to play for less because of it. Patty Kisnorbo has reported a lot of his EPL mates have contacted him about playing for Heart/City, but admittedly they were unaware of the cap.

Sydney FC and WSW are continually attracting world class players despite the cap, so it is possible.

 

[boncer34]

ie typical Victory behavior!

Only thing I've taken issue with in this thread is Heart people acting outraged that they are all being tarred with the one brush. Don't then in turn do that to Victory supporters. His views are certainly not representative of the Victory faithful.

The option to have a better marquee. Better young talent coming through due to having the use of City's scouts (they'll actively be looking for players to come to us)

Better team management, better facilities etc etc.

Look I don't believe we'll become unbeatable and rule the local game. City with all there wealth don't do that in Europe. I do think it will make us a better team and a team that will challenge soon.

I am not at all convinced the Marquee's will be levels above what we have now. Surely the City would prefer to keep their stars, or stars their after, much closer to home and in competitions which are played at a much higher level then here?

Youth I can see but they'll only be here for a season or two at most if their stars before City will take them due to the reasons I stated above.

I for one am very very keen to see what happens. I would love to be wrong as I think a dramatic Heart lift would cause a lot of scrambling from other clubs to improve which can only be good for the league.

In any event its going to be fascinating seeing this play out.

 

[Dan Cooper]

When did I say that?...

This morning in this very thread >

However, having said that, even if MCFC considers Heart "dead", completely overhaul the name and colors and never mentions the first 4 seasons of our history again after this year, so what?...

 

[pantskyle]

Only thing I've taken issue with in this thread is Heart people acting outraged that they are all being tarred with the one brush. Don't then in turn do that to Victory supporters. His views are certainly not representative of the Victory faithful.


I am not at all convinced the Marquee's will be levels above what we have now. Surely the City would prefer to keep their stars, or stars their after, much closer to home and in competitions which are played at a much higher level then here?

Youth I can see but they'll only be here for a season or two at most if their stars before City will take them due to the reasons I stated above.

I for one am very very keen to see what happens. I would love to be wrong as I think a dramatic Heart lift would cause a lot of scrambling from other clubs to improve which can only be good for the league.

In any event its going to be fascinating seeing this play out.

Are you a Heart supporter or Victory?

I don't think we would be getting City players, lets just say if someone like Ronaldinho was deciding to go for one last pay day and is looking at the USA league but wouldn't be against playing in Australia we suddenly become very viable to offer the money required.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

But seriously Pants explain to me how the Heart will dominate the competition with that in place? I just don't see how its possible.

I got asked by AFL fans the other day to explain this to them using AFL clubs. My reply was its like the Melbourne Heart have gone from being St Kilda off field (solid but not spectacular) to Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn combined.

But with the salary cap still in place I fail to see how that makes them unbeatable on the field.

Well, look at the AFL for comparison. The top four teams in the league most years are generally close to the top in the off-field spending as well, which is why the AFL is still looking at equalisation plans to even out the off-field arms race. I don't think anyone will ever dominate the A-League to the same extent as the usual suspects in the top European leagues, but I think, with all other things being equal, Heart does have a few competitive advantages:

1. Based in one of the big two cities, which could be important for international players/marquees.
2. Behind Sydney, Melbourne also produces the best home grown players and so could be an attractive destination for players looking to 'go home'.
3. They will build a training base that will be as good as - if not better than - anything else in the league. So if the money is the same at the Heart, or another club, will you sign with the club that has absolute world class facilities where you'll also be able to spend some time in Manchester in the preseason, or the one that's still doing the wheelie bin ice baths?
4. Friendlies against Manchester City/New York City, presumably on a pretty regular basis.
5. Regular appearances in Asia down the track, assuming the changes that are implemented are successful.
6. Related to point #4 and like point #5 this will depend partly on whether they experience pretty immediate and consistent success, but like AFL clubs, the ability to play in blockbuster games and get big crowds at home and away.
7. A far better international scouting network than anyone else has.
8. This is down the track, but with the City connection, I'd imagine the parent of every talented young soccer player in Melbourne (and perhaps interstate) would want their kid to go to the locally-based City academy.

And while they can't quite throw money around like Manchester City, they can pay whatever they want for an international marquee player and pay a large amount outside the cap to an U23 Australian marquee player.

 

[boncer34]

Are you a Heart supporter or Victory?

I don't think we would be getting City players, lets just say if someone like Ronaldinho was deciding to go for one last pay day and is looking at the USA league but wouldn't be against playing in Australia we suddenly become very viable to offer the money required.

Victory.

Yeah that's a fair point. Though Del Piero hasn't been able to deliver Sydney championships, but has made them more competitive then if he wasn't there so..... I see what you mean.

I've just had a few Hearts mates thinking their about to become this unbeatable, superpower goliath in the A-League.

Increased competitiveness (My spelling on that word has gone out the window) I absolutely agree with.

Run away steam train is something I'm not so sure on.

 

[pantskyle]

Victory.

Yeah that's a fair point. Though Del Piero hasn't been able to deliver Sydney championships, but has made them more competitive then if he wasn't there so..... I see what you mean.

I've just had a few Hearts mates thinking their about to become this unbeatable, superpower goliath in the A-League.

Increased competitiveness (My spelling on that word has gone out the window) I absolutely agree with.

Run away steam train is something I'm not so sure on.

We shouldn't be blamed for thinking we'll be unbeatable but deserve to be mocked when it doesn't happen.

We've not had a good time of it us Heart supporters so for us this is just tremendous.

 

[Dan Cooper]

We shouldn't be blamed for thinking we'll be unbeatable but deserve to be mocked when it doesn't happen.

We've not had a good time of it us Heart supporters so for us this is just tremendous.

Dreams are free, and Melbourne City should be very competitive in time. But competitions with salary caps rarely produce unbeatable teams.

Heart fans were overdue some luck and I'm hardly surprised they are excited by the arrival next season of Melbourne City.

 

[Riccardo11]

This morning in this very thread >

That's not exactly what I said or the intention of my words, and you know it.

 

[Riccardo11]

Only thing I've taken issue with in this thread is Heart people acting outraged that they are all being tarred with the one brush. Don't then in turn do that to Victory supporters. His views are certainly not representative of the Victory faithful.

In my experience, he represents EXACTLY the typical Victory supporter. At each and every derby and on every single post on social media, even on Hearts own FB page, we are constantly inundated by the kind of classless, objectionable and entirely irrelevant drivel we have been subjected to here.

It is one of the main reasons I support Heart instead of Victory, in fact!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

In my experience, he represents EXACTLY the typical Victory supporter. At each and every derby and on every single post on social media, even on Hearts own FB page, we are constantly inundated by the kind of classless, objectionable and entirely irrelevant drivel we have been subjected to here.

It is one of the main reasons I support Heart instead of Victory, in fact!

And I reckon most of us could pick the Victory supporters on here who would 'like' the Heart's FB page. Probably the same sort of people who are too dense to realise that they're directly helping the club, by being 'fans'.

 

[Dan Cooper]

That's not exactly what I said or the intention of my words, and you know it.

This is precisely what you said - it's a copy and paste straight from your post earlier today >

However, having said that, even if MCFC considers Heart "dead", completely overhaul the name and colors and never mentions the first 4 seasons of our history again after this year, so what?...

 

[Riccardo11]

This is precisely what you said - it's a copy and paste straight from your post earlier today >

There was a clarification as to why I said that further on in that post and again in my next one. As I have already said, don't take my words out of context. It's quite clear what I meant and now you are being deliberately antagonistic.

Once again, typical Victory behavior.

 

[Dan Cooper]

There was a clarification as to why I said that further on in that post and again in my next one. As I have already said, don't take my words out of context. It's quite clear what I meant and now you are being deliberately antagonistic.

Once again, typical Victory behavior.

You just seem to be suffering from the same victim mentality so typical of Heart supporters. Go smell the roses sad sack, and don't write things and then shy away from them because someone highlights them.

 

[Riccardo11]

You just seem to be suffering from the same victim mentality so typical of Heart supporters. Go smell the roses sad sack, and don't write things and then shy away from them because someone highlights them.

I am defending myself against a bizarre and entirely unnecessary series of attacks that are becoming increasingly personal (note the school yard grade name calling). If you quote my ENTIRE post, rather than just cherry picking the parts you think give you the most ammunition to have a personal go at me, there is nothing to "shy away from".

I am entirely done with this childish slap fight. You have precisely ZERO to do with the Melbourne Heart/City Football Club, and have no business attacking it's sale, business model, future prospects or loyal supporters. Time for you to go, I think, before you embarrass yourself.

 

[Tigerbob]

Victory fans amuse me.

Ive seen numerous sides around the world been bought and yet they are still who they are. ****, even Cardiff City changed their colours yet are the same club.

This is the most tin foil hat stuff you will ever see. The name may change, from my information they will still include "Heart" as a nickname. Melbourne City, known as Heart.

I have been informed the overwhelming majority would like to retain the colours and the City Group would adhere to the fans request. There is no objective to make this a Manchester City side. This is the City Group buying a club in Australia to improve it and expand their business.

I'm a Newcastle United fan who has had the most negative of takeovers, but the club remains as it is. From Sir John Hall to Mike Ashley, we are still Newcastle United.

It's the people and fans that make a club. Heart have a small, but very loyal and passionate core supporter base. This is still our club, just with new and I will state better owners, who have ambition to make us the biggest in Asia.

It is no wonder Victory fans have nothing but negatives to say. Unfortunately for them, reality is going to bite hard.