pjennings
Well-Known Member
From the Herald Sun
Ron Reed
June 13, 2009 12:00am
MELBOURNE has a new elite soccer club -- all it needs now is a name, colours, a coach and manager, some players, a ground, a chief executive, staff and a fan base.
So the six businessmen who were yesterday awarded a licence by Football Federation Australia to join the A-League next year have a lot of ground to cover in a hurry.
Chairman Peter Sidwell, who describes himself simply as "a businessman", will hit the ground running.
He leaves for Europe this weekend to try to hunt down some marquee names.
Out-of-contract Newcastle star Mark Viduka, a Melbourne boy, won't be among them, though -- not at this stage.
Viduka's name has been linked with the new club several times, but Sidwell said last night: "We have never spoken to him, although that's not to say we never will."
Sidwell's consortium, which has been the front-runner for the new licence since late last year, will give Melbourne two major teams for the first time since the old National Soccer League was disbanded.
Sidwell's partners are property developer David Kobritz, furniture supplier Michael Catalano, former Victorian soccer executive Manny Galanos, lighting distributor Joe Mirabella and entertainment promoter Patrick Prendergast.
Melbourne Heart is the working title but the public will be given the opportunity to come up with a permanent name and a colour combination.
Sidwell said the team hoped to play out of the new rectangular stadium but Etihad Stadium remained an option.
The most critical issue would be finding the right coach/manager, he said.
A marquee name would be sought. Several high-profile players had expressed interest, including at least one senior Socceroos star.
"There is a lot of interest at that level," Sidwell said.
"We are looking at players who have earned their big money overseas and who we might be able to get for three or five years.
As for supporters, Sidwell says he is confident "the passion for the game extends well beyond what's there" -- in other words, there will be plenty looking for an alternative to Melbourne Victory.
"Our research shows there is clearly room for a second club," he said.
"There is a huge cultural background here."
Sidwell has no soccer background himself, but says he is passionate about the game.
"I have an absolute belief in the game. It will never replace Aussie rules but we will run a very good second in the future," he said.
Sidwell said the club would roll out its plans very soon.
"We have been restricted in what we can do but now you'll see a lot of real activity," he said.
Ron Reed
June 13, 2009 12:00am
MELBOURNE has a new elite soccer club -- all it needs now is a name, colours, a coach and manager, some players, a ground, a chief executive, staff and a fan base.
So the six businessmen who were yesterday awarded a licence by Football Federation Australia to join the A-League next year have a lot of ground to cover in a hurry.
Chairman Peter Sidwell, who describes himself simply as "a businessman", will hit the ground running.
He leaves for Europe this weekend to try to hunt down some marquee names.
Out-of-contract Newcastle star Mark Viduka, a Melbourne boy, won't be among them, though -- not at this stage.
Viduka's name has been linked with the new club several times, but Sidwell said last night: "We have never spoken to him, although that's not to say we never will."
Sidwell's consortium, which has been the front-runner for the new licence since late last year, will give Melbourne two major teams for the first time since the old National Soccer League was disbanded.
Sidwell's partners are property developer David Kobritz, furniture supplier Michael Catalano, former Victorian soccer executive Manny Galanos, lighting distributor Joe Mirabella and entertainment promoter Patrick Prendergast.
Melbourne Heart is the working title but the public will be given the opportunity to come up with a permanent name and a colour combination.
Sidwell said the team hoped to play out of the new rectangular stadium but Etihad Stadium remained an option.
The most critical issue would be finding the right coach/manager, he said.
A marquee name would be sought. Several high-profile players had expressed interest, including at least one senior Socceroos star.
"There is a lot of interest at that level," Sidwell said.
"We are looking at players who have earned their big money overseas and who we might be able to get for three or five years.
As for supporters, Sidwell says he is confident "the passion for the game extends well beyond what's there" -- in other words, there will be plenty looking for an alternative to Melbourne Victory.
"Our research shows there is clearly room for a second club," he said.
"There is a huge cultural background here."
Sidwell has no soccer background himself, but says he is passionate about the game.
"I have an absolute belief in the game. It will never replace Aussie rules but we will run a very good second in the future," he said.
Sidwell said the club would roll out its plans very soon.
"We have been restricted in what we can do but now you'll see a lot of real activity," he said.
