Its been a long-time coming but the very first Melbourne derby is nearly upon us. As the cliche goes, this is history in the making and the first chapter is set to be a fiery encounter.
When a second Melbourne franchise was announced I was very skeptical. In fact, I still am. In my opinion, if you want a two team city to be successful both clubs should be introduced at the same time. This way it gives people a choice. Of course in this situation one team is bound to be more successful than the other, but at least they both start out on even ground and have something to build on.
When the A-League was formed a Melbourne franchise was considered to be the toughest market to crack. As we now know though it turned out to be a huge success. Melbourne Victory became a team for all Melbournian’s and all Victorians.
So when you introduce a new team after all the success the Victory has had, what’s left for the Heart to tap into? Sure there’s plenty of football supporters who haven’t taken to the A-League yet, but if they didn’t care the first time around why are they going to care now? Anyone in Melbourne who truly cares about the development of football in Australia has already sided with the Victory.
I think the 3,000 or so supporters that Heart have managed to round up kinda speaks for itself. I don’t even think solid on field success can help them. Look at Sydney. They win the Premiership/Championship double and the next season they’re setting club and league records for the lowest attendances ever. If the reining Champions can’t gain any decent support then how can the Heart, entering an already flooded sporting market possibly survive? This town really isn’t big enough for the both of us.
So as the derby looms I wonder how long will it last? Yes, the Heart have done all the right things off the field, but don’t underestimate the importance of fan support. Who are their supporters? Who are they playing for? All this nonsense about them being the club for “purists” is not going to guarantee you supporters.
For rivalry sake and for the sake of the A-League the Heart need to be successful. If they were to fold it would be a massive step backwards.
However, if they are to fail, the sooner the better. I know that sounds contradictory but at least it would give more worthy regions/states/cities a chance, such as Canberra and Tasmania.
On the positive side tickets for Friday night’s match have been selling fast and a sell out is not out of the question. Most of those people will be Victory supporters of course and a few curious first timers no doubt.
Whatever the future holds though the first match will surely be very special. Don’t miss it.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
the sound of crickets is deafening
Redb
Roar Guru
Ben, The sporting landscape of Melbourne with 4 million people is 9 AFL teams each bigger than Melb Victory based on membership, 1 RL team, soon 1 RU team.
mahony
Guest
If Heart are not scared of hard work they will be fine. The 2nd team in a 2 team city - but fine none the less.
mahony
Guest
Becasue there is no relationship between the issues you raise maybe?
mahony
Guest
Correct! Language matters....
Heartfan
Guest
I cant speak for everyone else, but I have never supported Victory and never been to a match. I resent being told that I changed colours.
Kermit is a frog
Roar Pro
Now I'm confused, I thought Heart was Melbourne. Too. While Victory was all of Victor(y)ia? Mahony - I sense some tension there?? ;-)
AK
Guest
I agree they should of started with both teams but didnt nothing we can do now.. I went to 1st ever Victory match against perth at Olympic park and till this day I stand with the lads in the terrace chanting i hate Heart because I do.. They are bunch of bandwagoners who changed colours and for me thats a no no but Im glad they did.. Maybe they did because their team in Croatia, Brazil, Argenting or Italy wears red and white maybe because they dont like Victory I personally dont care.. I know they will survive this is Melbourne sports capital of the world alot of people love football in this town you just got to give them an option.. Tommorrow night a rivary begins number of fans may not be same one both side it willl never be but dont be suprised when one day its close enough and we hate each other even more.. For now sell out of over 30 thousand at a football match in Melbourne is good enough..
Art Sapphire
Guest
yes, Barcelona v Chelsea pales in comparison to those 2 giants.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Pinnacle of the A league (and I dare say world football :) ) is currently Brisbane vs Adelaide
Art Sapphire
Guest
victoryblog - your captain has already called the derby the "the pinnacle of the A-League". Better get used to it :) The quote in full. "You look to these games all around the world," he said. "All the derbies are a derby because of the geographics. We've created a rivalry with Sydney, that's developed over a number of games. "But there's no doubt this game gets a head start, because there are two teams in one town. This game here automatically gets billed as the derby and for me it will be the pinnacle of the A-League."
David V.
Guest
Get out in the wider world and see that Sydney and Melbourne are no different to countless similar-sized cities worldwide that sustain 2 or even more teams.
Silks
Guest
Just hope future derbies are the same and this isn't just some one off novelty for people.
Silks
Guest
You do realise that the FFA had to take a stake in MVFC at the beginning as MV coudn't get the requisite starting capital? How were you going to get two Melb clubs if one only got off the ground with the help of FFA?
Silks
Guest
Good point. The heart can't rely on 2 home derbies (and some seasons 1) to make it sustainable. But they'll pull good crowds for their home games against Syd and Adelaide also.
Silks
Guest
Yes expand the league but place teams where supporters were crying out for one.
Silks
Guest
Corporate seats not yet completely sold. Official attendance might be below capacity.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nope. Docklands will NEVER be used by Melbourne Heart for its HAL home games. MVFC only plays 5 (out of 15) home games at Docklands (2 against Adelaide, 1 against Heart, Sydney & GCU) in 2010 and, one can only hope MVFC never use the Etihad Stadium cow paddock when the current rental contract expires.
mahony
Guest
Heart won't use Etihad - but Melbourne will.
MVDave
Guest
Yep all tickets sold...should be a fantastic occassion :)