Result Archive
MHFC Archive
Friday, February 26, 2010
Heart Confirm Number Seven
Date: February 26th 2010
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have confirmed their seventh signing with the capture of Australian Institute of Sport winger Kamal Ibrahim coming hot on the heels of Rutger Worm's signing.
Ibrahim has signed a multi-year deal to become the seventh player to sign for Melbourne Heart FC following the recent announcements of former Dutch youth international Rutger Worm and Qantas Socceroo goalkeeper Clint Bolton.
Ibrahim's elevation to a professional football environment alongside senior Australian internationals marks a remarkable rise for the 17-year-old.
Arriving in Melbourne with his mother, two sisters and three brothers from war-torn Ethiopia in 2003, Ibrahim's footballing wizardry has opened the door to the AIS, Australian representation and now the Hyundai A-League.
Head Coach John van't Schip said the recruitment of adopted-Melbournian Ibrahim demonstrates the club's commitment to developing talented young footballers.
"Developing talent for the future is an important responsibility of any football club, and I believe the signing of Kamal is proof of our commitment to invest in Australia's youth," he said.
"Kamal has shown talent in the National Youth League, and while he is still very raw and will still need to work very hard, he has some very interesting and exciting qualities.
"He has overcome a lot to reach this point in his career and knows this is just the start of his story, not the end, and its one I'm sure all Melbourne Heart FC and Hyundai A-League supporters will enjoy following".
An inventive winger, Ibrahim has been a regular feature of the national youth set-up for the past two years, playing an integral role in the Qantas Joeys' run to the Quarter Finals of the 2008 AFC U/16 championships, scoring a virtuoso goal in the team's 2-1 win over China.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123392,heart-confirm-number-seven.aspx
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have confirmed their seventh signing with the capture of Australian Institute of Sport winger Kamal Ibrahim coming hot on the heels of Rutger Worm's signing.
Ibrahim has signed a multi-year deal to become the seventh player to sign for Melbourne Heart FC following the recent announcements of former Dutch youth international Rutger Worm and Qantas Socceroo goalkeeper Clint Bolton.
Ibrahim's elevation to a professional football environment alongside senior Australian internationals marks a remarkable rise for the 17-year-old.
Arriving in Melbourne with his mother, two sisters and three brothers from war-torn Ethiopia in 2003, Ibrahim's footballing wizardry has opened the door to the AIS, Australian representation and now the Hyundai A-League.
Head Coach John van't Schip said the recruitment of adopted-Melbournian Ibrahim demonstrates the club's commitment to developing talented young footballers.
"Developing talent for the future is an important responsibility of any football club, and I believe the signing of Kamal is proof of our commitment to invest in Australia's youth," he said.
"Kamal has shown talent in the National Youth League, and while he is still very raw and will still need to work very hard, he has some very interesting and exciting qualities.
"He has overcome a lot to reach this point in his career and knows this is just the start of his story, not the end, and its one I'm sure all Melbourne Heart FC and Hyundai A-League supporters will enjoy following".
An inventive winger, Ibrahim has been a regular feature of the national youth set-up for the past two years, playing an integral role in the Qantas Joeys' run to the Quarter Finals of the 2008 AFC U/16 championships, scoring a virtuoso goal in the team's 2-1 win over China.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123392,heart-confirm-number-seven.aspx
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Heart Boss Digs Up A Worm
Date: February 25th 2010
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have added another new face to their inaugural squad with the capture of former Dutch youth international winger Rutger Worm.
The 24-year-old has agreed to a multi-year deal to become the sixth player to sign with the A-League newcomers and is set to join from Dutch Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen.
Worm impressed head coach John van't Schip with his technical ability and his creativity in the attacking half of the park. Van't Schip believes the signing of Worm provides evidence of Heart's commitment to an attacking minded approach when the club makes its A-League debut next season.
"I am extremely happy to be able to bring Rutger down under to Melbourne and the Hyundai A-League," he said. "He is a fantastic player who has shown a lot of ability during his time with NEC in the Eredivisie in Holland and really impressed me while I was with Ajax.
"Rutger will bring width to the team and provide a lot of drive down the wings which is critical for our tactical philosophy. He is a proven player at a high level and I think will continue his improvement by having an important role with Melbourne Heart."
Despite his youth, Worm has been an ever-present figure in the Eredivisie for the last six seasons, scoring five goals in 106 first team appearances for NEC Nijmegen, including 20 appearances during the current campaign.
Worm has also played at a continental level, featuring in three games for NEC as the unfancied Dutch side reached the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup last season before falling to German powerhouse Hamburg.
GM of Football Operations John Didulica said Worm's acquisition is a promising sign for the club as it continues to build its squad. "What's important to us is that we were able to sign a young professional who has good experience at the elite level but has his best years in front of him. With his pace and youth, he spent alot of time being an important impact player in Holland so this is the perfect stage for him to take his career to the next level," he said.
"Rutger is a traditional winger, which is a position that Australia has found difficult to produce in great numbers in recent times. We are hopeful that Rutger's pace, dribbling ability and technical quality will enable the club to play the exciting football that it wants to play."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123289,heart-boss-digs-up-a-worm.aspx
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have added another new face to their inaugural squad with the capture of former Dutch youth international winger Rutger Worm.
The 24-year-old has agreed to a multi-year deal to become the sixth player to sign with the A-League newcomers and is set to join from Dutch Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen.
Worm impressed head coach John van't Schip with his technical ability and his creativity in the attacking half of the park. Van't Schip believes the signing of Worm provides evidence of Heart's commitment to an attacking minded approach when the club makes its A-League debut next season.
"I am extremely happy to be able to bring Rutger down under to Melbourne and the Hyundai A-League," he said. "He is a fantastic player who has shown a lot of ability during his time with NEC in the Eredivisie in Holland and really impressed me while I was with Ajax.
"Rutger will bring width to the team and provide a lot of drive down the wings which is critical for our tactical philosophy. He is a proven player at a high level and I think will continue his improvement by having an important role with Melbourne Heart."
Despite his youth, Worm has been an ever-present figure in the Eredivisie for the last six seasons, scoring five goals in 106 first team appearances for NEC Nijmegen, including 20 appearances during the current campaign.
Worm has also played at a continental level, featuring in three games for NEC as the unfancied Dutch side reached the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup last season before falling to German powerhouse Hamburg.
GM of Football Operations John Didulica said Worm's acquisition is a promising sign for the club as it continues to build its squad. "What's important to us is that we were able to sign a young professional who has good experience at the elite level but has his best years in front of him. With his pace and youth, he spent alot of time being an important impact player in Holland so this is the perfect stage for him to take his career to the next level," he said.
"Rutger is a traditional winger, which is a position that Australia has found difficult to produce in great numbers in recent times. We are hopeful that Rutger's pace, dribbling ability and technical quality will enable the club to play the exciting football that it wants to play."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123289,heart-boss-digs-up-a-worm.aspx
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
No Bad Apples For Heart
Date: February 24th 2010
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart are determined to leaving no stone unturned as they assemble a squad of perfect recruits who shine both on and off the pitch.
Time is limited for Heart to bring together their inaugural squad but there is no room for a 'buy now, pay later' approach.
Heart's football operations chief John Didulica insists that head coach John van't Schip's homework on potential players is crucial for the club.
"Signing players who are also good people is critical for the club," he told the club's official website today. "We don't have a lot of lead in time so we don't have much opportunity to build a club culture.
"We need a bunch of professionals who are keen to hit the ground running.
"It's why we've recruited guys like Clint Bolton, Dean Heffernan, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Hoffman and Matt Thompson who are tremendous professionals and athletes who will do what it takes to win matches of football in the way John wants."
Heart are hoping to have their squad in place well ahead of the big kick for A-League season six.
Didulica added: "We hope to finalise the playing list sooner rather than later.
I think we want to have the entire squad in place by that first training date in mid to early June after our local stars return from their break."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123213,no-bad-apples-for-heart.aspx
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart are determined to leaving no stone unturned as they assemble a squad of perfect recruits who shine both on and off the pitch.
Time is limited for Heart to bring together their inaugural squad but there is no room for a 'buy now, pay later' approach.
Heart's football operations chief John Didulica insists that head coach John van't Schip's homework on potential players is crucial for the club.
"Signing players who are also good people is critical for the club," he told the club's official website today. "We don't have a lot of lead in time so we don't have much opportunity to build a club culture.
"We need a bunch of professionals who are keen to hit the ground running.
"It's why we've recruited guys like Clint Bolton, Dean Heffernan, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Hoffman and Matt Thompson who are tremendous professionals and athletes who will do what it takes to win matches of football in the way John wants."
Heart are hoping to have their squad in place well ahead of the big kick for A-League season six.
Didulica added: "We hope to finalise the playing list sooner rather than later.
I think we want to have the entire squad in place by that first training date in mid to early June after our local stars return from their break."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123213,no-bad-apples-for-heart.aspx
Bolton Eyes World Cup Ticket
Date: February 24th 2010
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart-bound goalkeeper Clint Bolton believes he can still force himself into Pim Verbeek's World Cup plans as a back up for Socceroos custodian Mark Schwarzer.
Bolton has enjoyed an excellent A-League season for Sydney FC and been rewarded with a call up to the national squad for next week's Asian Cup qualifier in Brisbane.
The likes of Adam Federici, Michael Petkovic, Brad Jones and Eugene Galekovic are also in the mix but Bolton hopes to use this week's camp to stake his own claim.
"There's a couple of spots up for grabs for South Africa and if I perform to what I'm capable of, then the possibility's there for me to go to South Africa," said Bolton.
"Apart from Schwarzy, any other keepers can make that squad and I'm excited by that prospect. I've had a good year.
On the back of that I know I can push for a position."
Bolton has been out of the international frame for some time and hadn't previously caught the eye of Verbeek.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123214,bolton-eyes-world-cup-ticket.aspx
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart-bound goalkeeper Clint Bolton believes he can still force himself into Pim Verbeek's World Cup plans as a back up for Socceroos custodian Mark Schwarzer.
Bolton has enjoyed an excellent A-League season for Sydney FC and been rewarded with a call up to the national squad for next week's Asian Cup qualifier in Brisbane.
The likes of Adam Federici, Michael Petkovic, Brad Jones and Eugene Galekovic are also in the mix but Bolton hopes to use this week's camp to stake his own claim.
"There's a couple of spots up for grabs for South Africa and if I perform to what I'm capable of, then the possibility's there for me to go to South Africa," said Bolton.
"Apart from Schwarzy, any other keepers can make that squad and I'm excited by that prospect. I've had a good year.
On the back of that I know I can push for a position."
Bolton has been out of the international frame for some time and hadn't previously caught the eye of Verbeek.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123214,bolton-eyes-world-cup-ticket.aspx
Melbourne Heart Sign NEC Attacker Rutger Worm
Date: February 23rd 2010
Author: Stefan Coerts
From: Goal.com
Australian outfit Melbourne Heart have completed the transfer of versatile Dutch attacker Rutger Worm from NEC on a free transfer. The forward has an expiring contract at his current employer.
Melbourne Heart coach John van't Schip is building on a new team to enter the A-League next season and saw the 24-year-old Worm as a valuable addition to his squad. Worm will sign a two-year contract at the Melbourne outfit.
"I'm really looking forward to my transfer. I expect it to be an amazing experience. I wanted a new challenge and Australia is a beautiful country. They are really interested in sports and that is important for me," Worm said to De Gelderlander.
Worm is a product of the NEC youth academy and has made well over 100 league appearances for the Eredivisie side since making his official debut back in 2004-05.
http://goal.com/en/news/808/australia/2010/02/23/1803999/melbourne-heart-sign-nec-attacker-rutger-worm
Author: Stefan Coerts
From: Goal.com
Australian outfit Melbourne Heart have completed the transfer of versatile Dutch attacker Rutger Worm from NEC on a free transfer. The forward has an expiring contract at his current employer.
Melbourne Heart coach John van't Schip is building on a new team to enter the A-League next season and saw the 24-year-old Worm as a valuable addition to his squad. Worm will sign a two-year contract at the Melbourne outfit.
"I'm really looking forward to my transfer. I expect it to be an amazing experience. I wanted a new challenge and Australia is a beautiful country. They are really interested in sports and that is important for me," Worm said to De Gelderlander.
Worm is a product of the NEC youth academy and has made well over 100 league appearances for the Eredivisie side since making his official debut back in 2004-05.
http://goal.com/en/news/808/australia/2010/02/23/1803999/melbourne-heart-sign-nec-attacker-rutger-worm
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Kristian Sarkies' injury enough to break your Heart
Date: February 23rd 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is coming to terms with its first serious injury after Kristian Sarkies broke his leg in two places.
Playing for Adelaide United's youth team as a tune-up for tomorrow night's Asian Champions League game against Pohang Steelers, Sarkies broke his fibula and tibia in his right leg in a tackle against Perth Glory on Sunday.
The former Melbourne Victory midfielder is likely to be sidelined for six months, putting him out of action until the early weeks of the new A-League season when Heart will make its debut.
"It's very disappointing for him," Heart football operations manager John Didulica said yesterday.
"He is still coming to us on June 1, so it's the first real challenge for our medical staff and sports science team.
"We're certainly looking at Kristian being an important part of our team and we'll work him to make sure he recovers.
"We're not putting any time frame on his return. We've spoken to Kristian and we've given him our 100 per cent support."
Sarkies, who played in Victory's 2007 championship team, suffered a blood clot when he joined Adelaide in 2008. He was scheduled to have surgery yesterday to have a metal rod inserted into the tibia to help the ankle heal.
Sarkies' injury is a setback for Heart as it continues to assemble its playing squad, especially as there is speculation about signing Dean Heffernan staying in England with League One club Huddersfield.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/kristian-sarkies-injury-enough-to-break-your-heart/story-e6frf9if-1225833240708
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is coming to terms with its first serious injury after Kristian Sarkies broke his leg in two places.
Playing for Adelaide United's youth team as a tune-up for tomorrow night's Asian Champions League game against Pohang Steelers, Sarkies broke his fibula and tibia in his right leg in a tackle against Perth Glory on Sunday.
The former Melbourne Victory midfielder is likely to be sidelined for six months, putting him out of action until the early weeks of the new A-League season when Heart will make its debut.
"It's very disappointing for him," Heart football operations manager John Didulica said yesterday.
"He is still coming to us on June 1, so it's the first real challenge for our medical staff and sports science team.
"We're certainly looking at Kristian being an important part of our team and we'll work him to make sure he recovers.
"We're not putting any time frame on his return. We've spoken to Kristian and we've given him our 100 per cent support."
Sarkies, who played in Victory's 2007 championship team, suffered a blood clot when he joined Adelaide in 2008. He was scheduled to have surgery yesterday to have a metal rod inserted into the tibia to help the ankle heal.
Sarkies' injury is a setback for Heart as it continues to assemble its playing squad, especially as there is speculation about signing Dean Heffernan staying in England with League One club Huddersfield.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/kristian-sarkies-injury-enough-to-break-your-heart/story-e6frf9if-1225833240708
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sarkies Sidelined For Six Months
Date:February 21st 2010
Author:Not Specified
From:Four Four Two Australia
ADELAIDE United midfielder Kristian Sarkies is out for the rest of the season after shattering his leg during a National Youth League match this afternoon.
The 23 year old was stretchered from the field with a broken tibia and fibula less than 10 minutes into the match with Perth Glory Youth at Hindmarsh Stadium after being on the end of a nasty challenge from Glory captain Steven Hesketh.
Sarkies, who is bound for new A-League club Melbourne Heart when his United contract expires after the Asian Champions League group stage, may have played his last game for the Reds following the ugly incident.
The midfielder, who was having a run with the Adelaide youth team on his return from a quad injury, was taken to hospital where X-rays revealed he had fractured both of the bones in his lower right leg.
"He has broken both the tibia and fibula and will have surgery tomorrow afternoon to have a metal rod inserted into the tibia," Adelaide United Club Doctor James Ilic said.
Ilic confirmed that the nature of the fractures is likely to see Sarkies sidelined for six months.
"Hopefully he will be able to resume playing sport in six months providing there are no complications," Ilic said.
Sarkies has made 44 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since he signed in March 2007, but it has not been without interruption after he was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis at the start of 2008 and was hampered by soft tissue injuries for extended parts of the 2009/10 season.
The midfielder has represented Australia at senior, U/23, U/20 and U/17 level and his 11 Hyundai A-League appearances this season had started to show the form that he is capable of producing.
The news is another setback for the Reds just three days out from hosting reigning title holders the Pohang Steelers in their openig match of the ACL campaign.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123012,sarkies-sidelined-for-six-months.aspx
Author:Not Specified
From:Four Four Two Australia
ADELAIDE United midfielder Kristian Sarkies is out for the rest of the season after shattering his leg during a National Youth League match this afternoon.
The 23 year old was stretchered from the field with a broken tibia and fibula less than 10 minutes into the match with Perth Glory Youth at Hindmarsh Stadium after being on the end of a nasty challenge from Glory captain Steven Hesketh.
Sarkies, who is bound for new A-League club Melbourne Heart when his United contract expires after the Asian Champions League group stage, may have played his last game for the Reds following the ugly incident.
The midfielder, who was having a run with the Adelaide youth team on his return from a quad injury, was taken to hospital where X-rays revealed he had fractured both of the bones in his lower right leg.
"He has broken both the tibia and fibula and will have surgery tomorrow afternoon to have a metal rod inserted into the tibia," Adelaide United Club Doctor James Ilic said.
Ilic confirmed that the nature of the fractures is likely to see Sarkies sidelined for six months.
"Hopefully he will be able to resume playing sport in six months providing there are no complications," Ilic said.
Sarkies has made 44 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since he signed in March 2007, but it has not been without interruption after he was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis at the start of 2008 and was hampered by soft tissue injuries for extended parts of the 2009/10 season.
The midfielder has represented Australia at senior, U/23, U/20 and U/17 level and his 11 Hyundai A-League appearances this season had started to show the form that he is capable of producing.
The news is another setback for the Reds just three days out from hosting reigning title holders the Pohang Steelers in their openig match of the ACL campaign.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/123012,sarkies-sidelined-for-six-months.aspx
Heffernan in race to land Euro deal
Date: February 20th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: AFP / The Age
Socceroos defender Dean Heffernan has just weeks left to fulfil his ambition of landing a permanent contract in English football.
Heffernan wants to remain in Europe when his short-term deal with English League One club Huddersfield Town ends in May rather than rejoin new A-League side Melbourne Heart.
But the 29-year-old faces a race against time to convince Huddersfield - or any other potential suitors across Europe - he's worthy of a permanent contract beyond the end of the current season.
The former Central Coast Mariners player insisted on writing a release clause into the Heart contract he agreed in November that allows him to join an overseas-based side for a nominal fee before starting pre-season training in Melbourne.
That clause must be activated before the end of March, however, leaving Heffernan just eight more games to win the full-time deal in England he craves.
"That would be wonderful," he said.
"The only problem with (staying) is there's only a month to get it sorted before I become an official Heart player no matter what," the Australia left-back added.
"Basically I've got up until then to show what I'm worth and for them (Huddersfield) to decide if they want to keep me here. Either way I'm happy, but I'd like to stay here and keep playing, that's for sure.
"Anyone would want to play in Europe and test themselves."
Huddersfield manager Lee Clark has tried various players at left-back during his year-long tenure with the Yorkshire club, but twice-capped Heffernan has made an immediate impact at the Terriers, with supporters instantly taking to his determined displays.
He was Huddersfield's outstanding performer in the 2-1 victory over Carlisle on Tuesday, a win that stretched the club's unbeaten run to eight league games.
They now stand seventh in League One, just a point from the playoff places and with serious aspirations of playing in England's second tier next season.
"I'm at a really good club, I'm playing, I'm fit. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction," said Heffernan.
"The fans here have been wonderful to me and everyone involved with the club has been great since I arrived. I couldn't have asked for any more of a welcome. I've just got to repay them on the pitch now."
Heffernan is determined not to let a second chance of an overseas contract slip from his grasp.
His year-long loan spell at German club Nuremberg during the 2006/07 Bundesliga season never got off the ground because of injury and the pressure for first-team spots and he was forced to rebuild back in the A-League.
But Heffernan was the standout Australian left-back in the A-League again this season after spending a year sidelined following a broken leg.
And he is rivalling Socceroos regulars Scott Chipperfield and David Carney for a World Cup berth after catching the eye of the national team and impressing as an eleventh hour call-up in the Asian Cup qualifying draw in Kuwait City last month.
That performance and Pim Verbeek's stance on his Socceroos hopefuls playing regularly in the build-up to June's World Cup in South Africa led to Heffernan's Huddersfield deal - a switch he dreams of turning permanent.
"Either way I'm quite happy," he said. "If I end up back at Heart I'll be stoked. It's going to be a good club.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/heffernan-in-race-to-land-euro-deal-20100220-omeg.html
Author: Not Specified
From: AFP / The Age
Socceroos defender Dean Heffernan has just weeks left to fulfil his ambition of landing a permanent contract in English football.
Heffernan wants to remain in Europe when his short-term deal with English League One club Huddersfield Town ends in May rather than rejoin new A-League side Melbourne Heart.
But the 29-year-old faces a race against time to convince Huddersfield - or any other potential suitors across Europe - he's worthy of a permanent contract beyond the end of the current season.
The former Central Coast Mariners player insisted on writing a release clause into the Heart contract he agreed in November that allows him to join an overseas-based side for a nominal fee before starting pre-season training in Melbourne.
That clause must be activated before the end of March, however, leaving Heffernan just eight more games to win the full-time deal in England he craves.
"That would be wonderful," he said.
"The only problem with (staying) is there's only a month to get it sorted before I become an official Heart player no matter what," the Australia left-back added.
"Basically I've got up until then to show what I'm worth and for them (Huddersfield) to decide if they want to keep me here. Either way I'm happy, but I'd like to stay here and keep playing, that's for sure.
"Anyone would want to play in Europe and test themselves."
Huddersfield manager Lee Clark has tried various players at left-back during his year-long tenure with the Yorkshire club, but twice-capped Heffernan has made an immediate impact at the Terriers, with supporters instantly taking to his determined displays.
He was Huddersfield's outstanding performer in the 2-1 victory over Carlisle on Tuesday, a win that stretched the club's unbeaten run to eight league games.
They now stand seventh in League One, just a point from the playoff places and with serious aspirations of playing in England's second tier next season.
"I'm at a really good club, I'm playing, I'm fit. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction," said Heffernan.
"The fans here have been wonderful to me and everyone involved with the club has been great since I arrived. I couldn't have asked for any more of a welcome. I've just got to repay them on the pitch now."
Heffernan is determined not to let a second chance of an overseas contract slip from his grasp.
His year-long loan spell at German club Nuremberg during the 2006/07 Bundesliga season never got off the ground because of injury and the pressure for first-team spots and he was forced to rebuild back in the A-League.
But Heffernan was the standout Australian left-back in the A-League again this season after spending a year sidelined following a broken leg.
And he is rivalling Socceroos regulars Scott Chipperfield and David Carney for a World Cup berth after catching the eye of the national team and impressing as an eleventh hour call-up in the Asian Cup qualifying draw in Kuwait City last month.
That performance and Pim Verbeek's stance on his Socceroos hopefuls playing regularly in the build-up to June's World Cup in South Africa led to Heffernan's Huddersfield deal - a switch he dreams of turning permanent.
"Either way I'm quite happy," he said. "If I end up back at Heart I'll be stoked. It's going to be a good club.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/heffernan-in-race-to-land-euro-deal-20100220-omeg.html
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Aloisi's agent denies Heart move
Date: February 18th 2010
Author: Liam Fitzgibbon
From: The Age
John Aloisi's manager has denied fresh reports the Sydney FC striker has agreed to a two-year contract with Melbourne Heart from next A-League season.
Reports on Thursday said the 34-year-old had agreed to terms with the new franchise on a deal worth $120,000 a season.
But Aloisi's agent, Paddy Dominguez, said his client had "several options" for next season, including an offer from the Heart, but was yet to make any decision on his future.
"Nothing's been finalised, John simply wants to focus on the finals with Sydney FC over the coming weeks," Dominguez told AAP.
"At the end of the season, he'll the weigh things up and make a decision.
"But at the moment he's in good form and he wants to stay focused on carrying that on for Sydney and not have any distractions."
Aloisi has been outstanding for the sky blues in the past month, scoring four goals in his past four matches including one of the goals of the season in their minor premiership-deciding 2-0 win over Melbourne at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
He would become the second Sydney FC player to defect to the Heart after goalkeeper Clint Bolton signed with them on Tuesday, while defender Simon Colosimo has also been linked with a switch.
The former Socceroos striker also has options overseas but he is only likely to pursue a move there if he is a realistic chance for World Cup selection.
That looks unlikely, however, after Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek on Wednesday left him out of a predominantly A-League-based squad to face Indonesia in an Asian Cup qualifier in Brisbane next month.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/aloisis-agent-denies-heart-move-20100218-oiqx.html
Author: Liam Fitzgibbon
From: The Age
John Aloisi's manager has denied fresh reports the Sydney FC striker has agreed to a two-year contract with Melbourne Heart from next A-League season.
Reports on Thursday said the 34-year-old had agreed to terms with the new franchise on a deal worth $120,000 a season.
But Aloisi's agent, Paddy Dominguez, said his client had "several options" for next season, including an offer from the Heart, but was yet to make any decision on his future.
"Nothing's been finalised, John simply wants to focus on the finals with Sydney FC over the coming weeks," Dominguez told AAP.
"At the end of the season, he'll the weigh things up and make a decision.
"But at the moment he's in good form and he wants to stay focused on carrying that on for Sydney and not have any distractions."
Aloisi has been outstanding for the sky blues in the past month, scoring four goals in his past four matches including one of the goals of the season in their minor premiership-deciding 2-0 win over Melbourne at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
He would become the second Sydney FC player to defect to the Heart after goalkeeper Clint Bolton signed with them on Tuesday, while defender Simon Colosimo has also been linked with a switch.
The former Socceroos striker also has options overseas but he is only likely to pursue a move there if he is a realistic chance for World Cup selection.
That looks unlikely, however, after Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek on Wednesday left him out of a predominantly A-League-based squad to face Indonesia in an Asian Cup qualifier in Brisbane next month.
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/aloisis-agent-denies-heart-move-20100218-oiqx.html
Heart Deny Signing Aloisi
Date: February 18th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have firmly denied media reports claiming they have signed Sydney FC marquee star John Aloisi on a $120,000 a season, two year deal.
The World Game this afternoon claimed the club had sealed a deal with the former Socceroo legend's who penlaty took Australia to the 2006 World Cup.
But tonight the club issued a statement denying the story.
"Despite recent media reports linking Aloisi to Melbourne Heart FC, the club rejects any assertions that it has finalised an agreement for the 2006 World Cup star," said the statement. "John Aloisi has been, and continues to be, a great player.
"We have had discussions with John's management, but we agreed that we would not pursue the matter with his management until after John had concluded his commitments with Sydney FC.
"We respect his position entirely. Melbourne Heart FC have taken this position with all players still actively involved in the Hyundai A-League Finals Series."
A source close to the club added: "It's no secret we have been talks with him but he has not signed."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/122876,heart-deny-signing-aloisi.aspx
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have firmly denied media reports claiming they have signed Sydney FC marquee star John Aloisi on a $120,000 a season, two year deal.
The World Game this afternoon claimed the club had sealed a deal with the former Socceroo legend's who penlaty took Australia to the 2006 World Cup.
But tonight the club issued a statement denying the story.
"Despite recent media reports linking Aloisi to Melbourne Heart FC, the club rejects any assertions that it has finalised an agreement for the 2006 World Cup star," said the statement. "John Aloisi has been, and continues to be, a great player.
"We have had discussions with John's management, but we agreed that we would not pursue the matter with his management until after John had concluded his commitments with Sydney FC.
"We respect his position entirely. Melbourne Heart FC have taken this position with all players still actively involved in the Hyundai A-League Finals Series."
A source close to the club added: "It's no secret we have been talks with him but he has not signed."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/122876,heart-deny-signing-aloisi.aspx
Aloisi contract talks with Heart
Date: February 18th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Herald Sun
SPECULATION is strengthening within soccer circles that Socceroo veteran John Aloisi has agreed to finish off his career with new A-League club Melbourne Heart.
Aloisi's management has been in regular contact with Melbourne Heart officials and the former national striker is said to have warmed to the idea to helping establish the new club.
Last night Aloisi told the Herald Sun that he wants to concentrate on the present finals series with Sydney FC before making any announcements.
But SBS reports that a contract has been spoken of which would likely be for the first two season of the Heart's existence, with the star apparently open to taking a large pay cut as he would take up an coaching assistant role with the Heart upon his retirement..
Aloisi was suffering from indifferent form last season, but he has scored nine times this season for Sydney FC.
With his 55 Australian caps, Aloisi remains a big name - and the A-League's highest paid star.
He is particularly remembered for his exploits with the Socceroos when they qualified for the 2006 World Cup.
He scored 27 goals for the Socceroos during his career, which also included a long stint with Spanish club Osasuna.
He would popular drawcard and personality for the new side as it tries to establish itself in the crowded Melbourne sporting market.
At present Aloisi is on a record $1.2 million-a-season deal at Premiership winner Sydney FC .
But he could be prepared to play for Heart for a modest amount by comparison.
If he came to Heart, he would join Sydney FC teammate and Australia's back-up keeper, Clint Bolton, whose contract with the Melbourne club was announced last week.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/aloisi-contract-talks-with-heart/story-e6frf9if-1225831872511
Author: Not Specified
From: Herald Sun
SPECULATION is strengthening within soccer circles that Socceroo veteran John Aloisi has agreed to finish off his career with new A-League club Melbourne Heart.
Aloisi's management has been in regular contact with Melbourne Heart officials and the former national striker is said to have warmed to the idea to helping establish the new club.
Last night Aloisi told the Herald Sun that he wants to concentrate on the present finals series with Sydney FC before making any announcements.
But SBS reports that a contract has been spoken of which would likely be for the first two season of the Heart's existence, with the star apparently open to taking a large pay cut as he would take up an coaching assistant role with the Heart upon his retirement..
Aloisi was suffering from indifferent form last season, but he has scored nine times this season for Sydney FC.
With his 55 Australian caps, Aloisi remains a big name - and the A-League's highest paid star.
He is particularly remembered for his exploits with the Socceroos when they qualified for the 2006 World Cup.
He scored 27 goals for the Socceroos during his career, which also included a long stint with Spanish club Osasuna.
He would popular drawcard and personality for the new side as it tries to establish itself in the crowded Melbourne sporting market.
At present Aloisi is on a record $1.2 million-a-season deal at Premiership winner Sydney FC .
But he could be prepared to play for Heart for a modest amount by comparison.
If he came to Heart, he would join Sydney FC teammate and Australia's back-up keeper, Clint Bolton, whose contract with the Melbourne club was announced last week.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/aloisi-contract-talks-with-heart/story-e6frf9if-1225831872511
Aloisi joins Heart
Date: February 18th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
John Aloisi will end his playing career with Melbourne Heart after signing for two seasons with the A-League's newest club.
Neither Heart nor Aloisi have confirmed the deal but sources close to the Melbourne club have revealed exclusively to The World Game that the A-League's highest paid player - currently on a record $1.2 million-a-season deal at Premiership winner Sydney FC - has agreed to a two-year worth deal $120,000 a season.
The deal also includes the prospect of Aloisi joining the club's coaching staff at the end of his playing spell.
Aloisi's career has spanned five countries and 10 clubs, his most fruitful spell a five-year stint at Osasuna in the Spanish Primera Division. He has been capped 55 times for Australia, with 27 goals. In 37 matches for Sydney FC, Aloisi has scored 11 goals - nine of them this campaign.
News of Aloisi's departure to Heart comes hot on the heels of his Sydney FC teammate and goalkeeper Clint Bolton inking a multi-year contract with the A-League's newest franchise. Simon Colosimo is also believed to be close to a deal with the club.
Heart is also set to announce the signing of Rutger Worm from Dutch first division side NEC Nijmegen.
The 24-year-old Dutch midfielder has played 92 Eredivisie matches and would likely fill a striking role.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/aloisi-joins-heart-291036
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
John Aloisi will end his playing career with Melbourne Heart after signing for two seasons with the A-League's newest club.
Neither Heart nor Aloisi have confirmed the deal but sources close to the Melbourne club have revealed exclusively to The World Game that the A-League's highest paid player - currently on a record $1.2 million-a-season deal at Premiership winner Sydney FC - has agreed to a two-year worth deal $120,000 a season.
The deal also includes the prospect of Aloisi joining the club's coaching staff at the end of his playing spell.
Aloisi's career has spanned five countries and 10 clubs, his most fruitful spell a five-year stint at Osasuna in the Spanish Primera Division. He has been capped 55 times for Australia, with 27 goals. In 37 matches for Sydney FC, Aloisi has scored 11 goals - nine of them this campaign.
News of Aloisi's departure to Heart comes hot on the heels of his Sydney FC teammate and goalkeeper Clint Bolton inking a multi-year contract with the A-League's newest franchise. Simon Colosimo is also believed to be close to a deal with the club.
Heart is also set to announce the signing of Rutger Worm from Dutch first division side NEC Nijmegen.
The 24-year-old Dutch midfielder has played 92 Eredivisie matches and would likely fill a striking role.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/aloisi-joins-heart-291036
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Casey’s bid to attract Melbourne Heart
Date: February 17th 2010
Author: Paul Amy
From: Pakenham Cardinia Leader
NEW A-League soccer club Melbourne Heart is sizing up Casey Fields as its future home.
The Heart hierarchy is assessing two sites for its administration and training base: the Cranbourne sporting precinct and La Trobe University at Bundoora.
A decision is expected within three weeks. Casey chief executive Mick Tyler confirmed the council had held discussions with Melbourne Heart.
“We’re hopeful of attracting them to Casey,” Mr Tyler said.
The Casey bid entails a stadium with seating for 500 spectators, a turf pitch, administration offices and player amenities.
The stadium is the centrepiece of a soccer centre of excellence featuring four synthetic pitches and a pavilion for use by district clubs.
It would be built at the southern end of Casey Fields, adjacent to the new Casey Fields Boulevard, the construction of which should start in the next 12 months.
The cost of the community precinct is about $15 million, with another $6 million for the elite facilities.
The projects are reliant on funding from the council, and the Federal and State governments.
The council has already put in a Federal application for the community component.
Melbourne Heart starts playing in the A-League in 2010/11 and is expected to have home games at the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
http://pakenham-cardinia-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/casey-s-bid-to-attract-melbourne-heart/
Author: Paul Amy
From: Pakenham Cardinia Leader
NEW A-League soccer club Melbourne Heart is sizing up Casey Fields as its future home.
The Heart hierarchy is assessing two sites for its administration and training base: the Cranbourne sporting precinct and La Trobe University at Bundoora.
A decision is expected within three weeks. Casey chief executive Mick Tyler confirmed the council had held discussions with Melbourne Heart.
“We’re hopeful of attracting them to Casey,” Mr Tyler said.
The Casey bid entails a stadium with seating for 500 spectators, a turf pitch, administration offices and player amenities.
The stadium is the centrepiece of a soccer centre of excellence featuring four synthetic pitches and a pavilion for use by district clubs.
It would be built at the southern end of Casey Fields, adjacent to the new Casey Fields Boulevard, the construction of which should start in the next 12 months.
The cost of the community precinct is about $15 million, with another $6 million for the elite facilities.
The projects are reliant on funding from the council, and the Federal and State governments.
The council has already put in a Federal application for the community component.
Melbourne Heart starts playing in the A-League in 2010/11 and is expected to have home games at the new Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
http://pakenham-cardinia-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/casey-s-bid-to-attract-melbourne-heart/
Melbourne Heart signs Clint Bolton, chases John Aloisi
Date: February 17th 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
Fresh from Bolton keeping a clean sheet in Sydney's 2-0 win against Melbourne Victory to clinch the A-League premiership, Heart yesterday announced it had secured the veteran goalkeeper on a multi-year deal.
The job of knocking in the goals will fall to Aloisi if Heart officials get their way, going after the veteran striker, who buried Victory on Sunday with a brilliant long-range goal after collecting the ball in the centre circle.
"We're talking to him," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said.
"We're talking to a lot of players and we continue to speak to a whole range of players. Someone of the calibre of John Aloisi would be fantastic, but it's a long, long way away."
Speculation had long linked Bolton with a move to Heart for its inaugural A-League season and coach John van't Schip admitted the goalkeeper, who was capped four times by the Socceroos, had captured his eye with his performances for Sydney.
"From the start he was one of the goalkeepers I had on my list," Van't Schip said.
"He was one of my favourites by far. He will be good for the club and good for a young goalkeeper playing behind him.
"I have followed him for a long period of the season. I saw him play a couple of times and (assistant coaches Jesper Olsen and Ante Milicic) know him well. He is an experienced goalkeeper ... and a great signing and it will be fantastic to welcome him here."
With Bolton under contract, Heart has five announced signings, with Dean Heffernan, Matt Thompson, Jason Hoffman and Kristian Sarkies the others.
Heart has announced Westpac as its major sponsor, tagging it the A-League's biggest, with the bank believed to have paid $2 million to be the club's shirt sponsor over three years.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-heart-signs-clint-bolton-chases-john-aloisi/story-e6frfg8x-1225831137752
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
Fresh from Bolton keeping a clean sheet in Sydney's 2-0 win against Melbourne Victory to clinch the A-League premiership, Heart yesterday announced it had secured the veteran goalkeeper on a multi-year deal.
The job of knocking in the goals will fall to Aloisi if Heart officials get their way, going after the veteran striker, who buried Victory on Sunday with a brilliant long-range goal after collecting the ball in the centre circle.
"We're talking to him," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said.
"We're talking to a lot of players and we continue to speak to a whole range of players. Someone of the calibre of John Aloisi would be fantastic, but it's a long, long way away."
Speculation had long linked Bolton with a move to Heart for its inaugural A-League season and coach John van't Schip admitted the goalkeeper, who was capped four times by the Socceroos, had captured his eye with his performances for Sydney.
"From the start he was one of the goalkeepers I had on my list," Van't Schip said.
"He was one of my favourites by far. He will be good for the club and good for a young goalkeeper playing behind him.
"I have followed him for a long period of the season. I saw him play a couple of times and (assistant coaches Jesper Olsen and Ante Milicic) know him well. He is an experienced goalkeeper ... and a great signing and it will be fantastic to welcome him here."
With Bolton under contract, Heart has five announced signings, with Dean Heffernan, Matt Thompson, Jason Hoffman and Kristian Sarkies the others.
Heart has announced Westpac as its major sponsor, tagging it the A-League's biggest, with the bank believed to have paid $2 million to be the club's shirt sponsor over three years.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-heart-signs-clint-bolton-chases-john-aloisi/story-e6frfg8x-1225831137752
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Heart and WESTPAC Unite To Bring Football To Community
Date: February 16th 2010
Author: Melbourne Heart FC
From: MHFC Official Website
Melbourne Heart FC has reached a major milestone in its development by announcing leading financial institution WESTPAC as the club’s inaugural principal partner.
WESTPAC has signed a three-year agreement with the Hyundai A-League newcomers in an unprecedented show of support for the development of football at both an elite and grassroots level in Australia.
The watershed partnership will see Heart and WESTPAC spread the word of football to provincial communities around Victoria, bringing elite level sport to local branches through a series of multi-day events.
Heart will stage three ‘WESTPAC Community Football Festivals’ throughout June, encompassing the Geelong and Gippsland regions, with a further venue still to be determined.
The events will see Heart and WESTPAC spend three days engaging with the football and business community in each city and town, hosting clinics and events before challenging a local club in a friendly match.
The ‘WESTPAC Community Football Festival’ will also feature Melbourne Heart FC’s ‘Coach the Coach’ program, where Head Coach John van ‘t Schip will educate local football clubs on the latest tactical and technical innovations in the game.
Melbourne Heart CEO Scott Munn believes the partnership with WESTPAC marks an important step in club history, saying the agreement affirms its commitment to develop into a team truly representative of the wider Victorian community.
“WESTPAC is undoubtedly one of the premier brands in corporate Australia, and we are delighted to have the company on board as our principal partner,” he said.
“Although Melbourne Heart FC is in its infancy, the club is steadfast in the belief that it bears a distinct responsibility to further the cause of football throughout the state, utilising its resources and coaching expertise to help inspire the next generation of Victorians,” he said.
“I would like to thank for WESTPAC for sharing our vision and joining us as we make our first tentative footsteps into a world unknown. Together, WESTPAC and Melbourne Heart FC will strive to boost the game at grassroots level and offer a hand in friendship to communities around the state.”
WESTPAC State General Manager, Regional Victoria, Mark Paton said: “WESTPAC is really excited about this new partnership with Melbourne Heart, particularly the opportunity to take football out to regional Victoria with the Westpac Community Football Festival”.
http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=32610
Author: Melbourne Heart FC
From: MHFC Official Website
Melbourne Heart FC has reached a major milestone in its development by announcing leading financial institution WESTPAC as the club’s inaugural principal partner.
WESTPAC has signed a three-year agreement with the Hyundai A-League newcomers in an unprecedented show of support for the development of football at both an elite and grassroots level in Australia.
The watershed partnership will see Heart and WESTPAC spread the word of football to provincial communities around Victoria, bringing elite level sport to local branches through a series of multi-day events.
Heart will stage three ‘WESTPAC Community Football Festivals’ throughout June, encompassing the Geelong and Gippsland regions, with a further venue still to be determined.
The events will see Heart and WESTPAC spend three days engaging with the football and business community in each city and town, hosting clinics and events before challenging a local club in a friendly match.
The ‘WESTPAC Community Football Festival’ will also feature Melbourne Heart FC’s ‘Coach the Coach’ program, where Head Coach John van ‘t Schip will educate local football clubs on the latest tactical and technical innovations in the game.
Melbourne Heart CEO Scott Munn believes the partnership with WESTPAC marks an important step in club history, saying the agreement affirms its commitment to develop into a team truly representative of the wider Victorian community.
“WESTPAC is undoubtedly one of the premier brands in corporate Australia, and we are delighted to have the company on board as our principal partner,” he said.
“Although Melbourne Heart FC is in its infancy, the club is steadfast in the belief that it bears a distinct responsibility to further the cause of football throughout the state, utilising its resources and coaching expertise to help inspire the next generation of Victorians,” he said.
“I would like to thank for WESTPAC for sharing our vision and joining us as we make our first tentative footsteps into a world unknown. Together, WESTPAC and Melbourne Heart FC will strive to boost the game at grassroots level and offer a hand in friendship to communities around the state.”
WESTPAC State General Manager, Regional Victoria, Mark Paton said: “WESTPAC is really excited about this new partnership with Melbourne Heart, particularly the opportunity to take football out to regional Victoria with the Westpac Community Football Festival”.
http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=32610
Heart banking on Bolton
Date: February 16th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
The A League's newest club, Melbourne Heart, have announced Westpac as their foundation major sponsor and confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Clint Bolton frolm Sydney FC.
Bolton,34, has signed a multi-year deal to become the Heart’s first-ever ‘keeper and is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s inaugural campaign.
“Clint has proven over time to be one of the most professional and outstanding goalkeepers in Australia,” Heart coach John van't Schip said.
"He leads by example and is the perfect person to have in goals when are you are starting a football club."
With over 400 first team appearances to his name and national team experience at senior and youth level, Bolton brings a host of experience to the Heart.
Meanwhile, TWG understands that defender Simon Colosimo could soon follow his Sydney FC team-mate Bolton to the Heart.
Sources close to the club have revealed that a deal is done and will be announced after the finals series. They also confirmed there is a clause in the deal that will allow 31-year-old Colosimo an exit, should he secure a contract in Asia.
Colosimo has been in outstanding form for Sydney FC this season earning him a recall for the Socceroos in their most recent Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait.
Heart assistant coach Jesper Olsen recently declared that the club was on track with their recruitment process.
“We have signed a few players already from the A-League which are the bones of the team, but we want to add some international quality and that is what we are trying to do now,” Olsen told the club's website.
“We are doing a bit of scouting abroad at the moment so hopefully there will be a mixture of players from the A-League, youngsters from the likes of the AIS and, some exciting players from abroad."
The three-year big money deal with Westpac will provide a massive boost for the fledgling team, which enters the competition as the 11th team next season.
“Westpac is undoubtedly one of the premier brands in corporate Australia, and we are delighted to have the company on board as our principal partner,” Heart CEO Scott Munn said.
“Although Melbourne Heart FC is in its infancy, the club is steadfast in the belief that it bears a distinct responsibility to further the cause of football throughout the state, utilising its resources and coaching expertise to help inspire the next generation of Victorians."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/heart-banking-on-bolton-290371
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
The A League's newest club, Melbourne Heart, have announced Westpac as their foundation major sponsor and confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Clint Bolton frolm Sydney FC.
Bolton,34, has signed a multi-year deal to become the Heart’s first-ever ‘keeper and is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s inaugural campaign.
“Clint has proven over time to be one of the most professional and outstanding goalkeepers in Australia,” Heart coach John van't Schip said.
"He leads by example and is the perfect person to have in goals when are you are starting a football club."
With over 400 first team appearances to his name and national team experience at senior and youth level, Bolton brings a host of experience to the Heart.
Meanwhile, TWG understands that defender Simon Colosimo could soon follow his Sydney FC team-mate Bolton to the Heart.
Sources close to the club have revealed that a deal is done and will be announced after the finals series. They also confirmed there is a clause in the deal that will allow 31-year-old Colosimo an exit, should he secure a contract in Asia.
Colosimo has been in outstanding form for Sydney FC this season earning him a recall for the Socceroos in their most recent Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait.
Heart assistant coach Jesper Olsen recently declared that the club was on track with their recruitment process.
“We have signed a few players already from the A-League which are the bones of the team, but we want to add some international quality and that is what we are trying to do now,” Olsen told the club's website.
“We are doing a bit of scouting abroad at the moment so hopefully there will be a mixture of players from the A-League, youngsters from the likes of the AIS and, some exciting players from abroad."
The three-year big money deal with Westpac will provide a massive boost for the fledgling team, which enters the competition as the 11th team next season.
“Westpac is undoubtedly one of the premier brands in corporate Australia, and we are delighted to have the company on board as our principal partner,” Heart CEO Scott Munn said.
“Although Melbourne Heart FC is in its infancy, the club is steadfast in the belief that it bears a distinct responsibility to further the cause of football throughout the state, utilising its resources and coaching expertise to help inspire the next generation of Victorians."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/heart-banking-on-bolton-290371
Premiership Winning Goalkeeper Bolton Signs For Heart
Date: February 16th 2010
Author: Melbourne Heart FC
From: MHFC Official Website
Melbourne Heart FC has filled a key position on its 2010/11 Hyundai A-League playing roster by signing former Qantas Socceroo Clint Bolton.
Bolton has signed a multi-year deal to become the Heart’s first-ever ‘keeper and is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s inaugural campaign.
Heading into another final series, Bolton is playing possibly the best football of his career, setting a Hyundai A-League record with 12 clean sheets in a season as a part of the competition’s most miserly defence, helping Sydney FC to its first Premiers Plate.
Head Coach John van‘t Schip says Bolton’s acquisition marks an important step in the development of the Heart squad.
“Clint has proven over time to be one of the most professional and outstanding goalkeepers in Australia. He leads by example and is the perfect person to have in goals when are you are starting a football club,” he said.
“Keepers of Clint’s quality, if they can remain fit, get better as they mature. A player like Edwin van der Sar, for example, signed for Manchester United when he was 34 and has now won three championships and a European Cup.”
A stellar shot stopper with a commanding aerial presence, Bolton is arguably the most consistent Australian goalkeeper of the past decade, featuring in five domestic Grand Finals for three Championships, including the 2005/06 Hyundai A-League decider, keeping a clean sheet as Sydney FC claimed the title.
Alongside a string of personal accolades, Bolton starred for Sydney FC in the 2007 AFC Asian Champions League as the Sky Blues came agonisingly close to knocking out eventual winners Urawa Red Diamonds as well as finishing fifth at the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup.
The 34-year-old has amassed over 400 first team appearances across a remarkable 18-year professional career that has seen him earn selection for the national side at all age levels, including four senior caps for the Qantas Socceroos and the FIFA U/20 World Cup.
http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=32603
Author: Melbourne Heart FC
From: MHFC Official Website
Melbourne Heart FC has filled a key position on its 2010/11 Hyundai A-League playing roster by signing former Qantas Socceroo Clint Bolton.
Bolton has signed a multi-year deal to become the Heart’s first-ever ‘keeper and is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s inaugural campaign.
Heading into another final series, Bolton is playing possibly the best football of his career, setting a Hyundai A-League record with 12 clean sheets in a season as a part of the competition’s most miserly defence, helping Sydney FC to its first Premiers Plate.
Head Coach John van‘t Schip says Bolton’s acquisition marks an important step in the development of the Heart squad.
“Clint has proven over time to be one of the most professional and outstanding goalkeepers in Australia. He leads by example and is the perfect person to have in goals when are you are starting a football club,” he said.
“Keepers of Clint’s quality, if they can remain fit, get better as they mature. A player like Edwin van der Sar, for example, signed for Manchester United when he was 34 and has now won three championships and a European Cup.”
A stellar shot stopper with a commanding aerial presence, Bolton is arguably the most consistent Australian goalkeeper of the past decade, featuring in five domestic Grand Finals for three Championships, including the 2005/06 Hyundai A-League decider, keeping a clean sheet as Sydney FC claimed the title.
Alongside a string of personal accolades, Bolton starred for Sydney FC in the 2007 AFC Asian Champions League as the Sky Blues came agonisingly close to knocking out eventual winners Urawa Red Diamonds as well as finishing fifth at the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup.
The 34-year-old has amassed over 400 first team appearances across a remarkable 18-year professional career that has seen him earn selection for the national side at all age levels, including four senior caps for the Qantas Socceroos and the FIFA U/20 World Cup.
http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=32603
Heart sign Bolton
Date: February 16th 2010
Author: Bren O'Brien
From: Sportal
Melbourne Heart will announce Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton as its inaugural keeper on Tuesday.
Bolton, 34, is believed to have signed a multi-year deal with the new club after spending the past five years with the Sky Blues.
While he will complete his duties as Sydney player this season, he will join the Hyundai A-League's newest franchise when the season is complete.
Bolton, who has played more than 100 games for Sydney, has been one of the most consistent keepers in the history of the A-League and has kept 12 clean sheets for the Sky Blues during its premiership-winning campaign.
He has also made four appearances for the Socceroos in a decorated career which began at the Brisbane Strikers in the early 1990s.
He joins Dean Heffernan, Matt Thompson, Jason Hoffman, Kristian Sarkies and Kamal Ibrahim as Melbourne Heart signings.
http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/heart-sign-bolton-85994
Author: Bren O'Brien
From: Sportal
Melbourne Heart will announce Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton as its inaugural keeper on Tuesday.
Bolton, 34, is believed to have signed a multi-year deal with the new club after spending the past five years with the Sky Blues.
While he will complete his duties as Sydney player this season, he will join the Hyundai A-League's newest franchise when the season is complete.
Bolton, who has played more than 100 games for Sydney, has been one of the most consistent keepers in the history of the A-League and has kept 12 clean sheets for the Sky Blues during its premiership-winning campaign.
He has also made four appearances for the Socceroos in a decorated career which began at the Brisbane Strikers in the early 1990s.
He joins Dean Heffernan, Matt Thompson, Jason Hoffman, Kristian Sarkies and Kamal Ibrahim as Melbourne Heart signings.
http://sportal.com.au/football-news-display/heart-sign-bolton-85994
Aloisi to Heart?
Date: February 16th 2010
Author: Michael Cockerill
From: The Age
SCORING one of the goals of his life to help win the minor premiership is unlikely to give John Aloisi a second chance with Sydney FC, with the former Socceroos striker now expected to extend his career by joining newcomer Melbourne Heart next season.
Aloisi is the highest-paid player in the competition, but he is believed to be ready to take a massive pay cut to prolong his career with Heart, which has also been heavily linked to Sky Blues teammate Simon Colosimo.
The Heart also looks set to announce the signing of Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/aloisi-to-heart-20100215-o33s.html
Author: Michael Cockerill
From: The Age
SCORING one of the goals of his life to help win the minor premiership is unlikely to give John Aloisi a second chance with Sydney FC, with the former Socceroos striker now expected to extend his career by joining newcomer Melbourne Heart next season.
Aloisi is the highest-paid player in the competition, but he is believed to be ready to take a massive pay cut to prolong his career with Heart, which has also been heavily linked to Sky Blues teammate Simon Colosimo.
The Heart also looks set to announce the signing of Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/aloisi-to-heart-20100215-o33s.html
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Heart's Quest For Quality
Date: February 14th 2010
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart's recruitment drive is firmly focused on adding 'international quality' to the A-League bones of their inaugural squad.
Mark Viduka will not be joining the club but the search for established stars continues, according to assistant coach Jesper Olsen.
Both he and coach John van't Schip are busy trying to put those pieces of the jigsaw in place.
"We have signed a few players already from the A-League which are the bones of the team, but we want to add some international quality and that is what we are trying to do now," said Olsen.
"We are doing a bit of scouting abroad at the moment so hopefully there will be a mixture of players from the A-League, youngsters from the likes of the AIS and, some exciting players from abroad."
While quality is a key factor, Heart are also certain of the way they want their recruits to play. That means a 4-3-3 system.
"John van 't Schip has very much emphasised that we are going to play attacking football with a lot of flair as well. I think the exciting thing about this is we can teach the young players a lot. There is a system we want to play, and I think we can get them very quickly to a different level," added Olsen.
"But first, we've got to identify and recruit the right players for that system, and that is the task we are working on at the moment."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/122595,hearts-quest-for-quality.aspx
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart's recruitment drive is firmly focused on adding 'international quality' to the A-League bones of their inaugural squad.
Mark Viduka will not be joining the club but the search for established stars continues, according to assistant coach Jesper Olsen.
Both he and coach John van't Schip are busy trying to put those pieces of the jigsaw in place.
"We have signed a few players already from the A-League which are the bones of the team, but we want to add some international quality and that is what we are trying to do now," said Olsen.
"We are doing a bit of scouting abroad at the moment so hopefully there will be a mixture of players from the A-League, youngsters from the likes of the AIS and, some exciting players from abroad."
While quality is a key factor, Heart are also certain of the way they want their recruits to play. That means a 4-3-3 system.
"John van 't Schip has very much emphasised that we are going to play attacking football with a lot of flair as well. I think the exciting thing about this is we can teach the young players a lot. There is a system we want to play, and I think we can get them very quickly to a different level," added Olsen.
"But first, we've got to identify and recruit the right players for that system, and that is the task we are working on at the moment."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/122595,hearts-quest-for-quality.aspx
Friday, February 12, 2010
Change of Heart costly for rookies
Date: February 12th 2010
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
WHO has the right to the heart of Melbourne is a question that may soon have an answer.
The Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, which holds trademark rights to the Heart of Melbourne moniker, and Football Federation of Australia, which has approved the name of Melbourne Heart for the second A-League team in the Victorian capital, are expected to meet shortly over the issue of their confusingly similar appellations.
"We've been contacted, or our lawyers have, by the FFA and we're looking forward to having a meeting soon. To have a chat through the issue," chief executive of the LMCF Andrew Chappell said yesterday.
The LMCF lodged an objection almost three weeks ago to the new club's name with IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs. Nonetheless, Melbourne's new A-League club proceeded with the announcement of its name, logo and colours nine days ago.
Chappell has indicated that the LMCF intends to protect its trademark right to the Heart of Melbourne name, by which its annual appeal for the homeless of Melbourne is known.
The foundation, of which Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is president, has until April 22 to detail its case.
Should IP Australia rule in LMCF's favour, the consequences for the FFA and the A-League's newest outfit could be not only embarrassing but costly.
Beyond a name change, the FFA is in the process of seeking approval for the alternative Sporting Melbourne FC apparel and merchandise orders for the 2010-11 season with the league's provider, Reebok, which must be finalised by the end of this month.
It is understood that a typical order involves several hundred thousand dollars.
Chappell said the LMCF was open to a "mutually beneficial resolution" and was keen to meet the FFA.
"I suppose you could call it (the FFA letter) progress, in the sense that until recently there appeared to be no acknowledgment of our position or existence at all," Chappell said.
"It would be marvellous if that (an outcome that pleased both) occurred but we're not doing this, protecting our name and the cause of homelessness that the trademark serves and is identified with, for our benefit. We're doing what we think we should do for the charity."
According to the LMCF and Melbourne Victory, the appearance of Doyle, a former Liberal state opposition leader, at a Victory promotional clinic yesterday was a coincidence and not related to the problem the foundation has with the Victory's fledgling derby foe.
"At the moment we don't have a link with Melbourne Victory," Chappell said.
"It may have been that we recommended the charity to (Victory major sponsor) Intralot or Melbourne, as an organisation with expertise in the field.
"What I would say, though, is that his (Doyle's) particular passion, and ours, is homelessness and he has a stance on the issue that is very strong," he said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/change-of-heart-costly-for-rookies/story-e6frg7mf-1225828957682
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
WHO has the right to the heart of Melbourne is a question that may soon have an answer.
The Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, which holds trademark rights to the Heart of Melbourne moniker, and Football Federation of Australia, which has approved the name of Melbourne Heart for the second A-League team in the Victorian capital, are expected to meet shortly over the issue of their confusingly similar appellations.
"We've been contacted, or our lawyers have, by the FFA and we're looking forward to having a meeting soon. To have a chat through the issue," chief executive of the LMCF Andrew Chappell said yesterday.
The LMCF lodged an objection almost three weeks ago to the new club's name with IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs. Nonetheless, Melbourne's new A-League club proceeded with the announcement of its name, logo and colours nine days ago.
Chappell has indicated that the LMCF intends to protect its trademark right to the Heart of Melbourne name, by which its annual appeal for the homeless of Melbourne is known.
The foundation, of which Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is president, has until April 22 to detail its case.
Should IP Australia rule in LMCF's favour, the consequences for the FFA and the A-League's newest outfit could be not only embarrassing but costly.
Beyond a name change, the FFA is in the process of seeking approval for the alternative Sporting Melbourne FC apparel and merchandise orders for the 2010-11 season with the league's provider, Reebok, which must be finalised by the end of this month.
It is understood that a typical order involves several hundred thousand dollars.
Chappell said the LMCF was open to a "mutually beneficial resolution" and was keen to meet the FFA.
"I suppose you could call it (the FFA letter) progress, in the sense that until recently there appeared to be no acknowledgment of our position or existence at all," Chappell said.
"It would be marvellous if that (an outcome that pleased both) occurred but we're not doing this, protecting our name and the cause of homelessness that the trademark serves and is identified with, for our benefit. We're doing what we think we should do for the charity."
According to the LMCF and Melbourne Victory, the appearance of Doyle, a former Liberal state opposition leader, at a Victory promotional clinic yesterday was a coincidence and not related to the problem the foundation has with the Victory's fledgling derby foe.
"At the moment we don't have a link with Melbourne Victory," Chappell said.
"It may have been that we recommended the charity to (Victory major sponsor) Intralot or Melbourne, as an organisation with expertise in the field.
"What I would say, though, is that his (Doyle's) particular passion, and ours, is homelessness and he has a stance on the issue that is very strong," he said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/change-of-heart-costly-for-rookies/story-e6frg7mf-1225828957682
Heart coach targets European recruits
Date: February 12th 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart coach John van't Schip is set for an overseas trip to recruit several international players.
Having devoted much time to scouting players in Europe since his appointment, Van't Schip will step up the recruiting process.
With four players signed, Heart will announce more local recruits once the A-League season finishes, but Van't Schip wants commitments from several European players.
"We've spoken to about four players with international experience," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said.
"The main job is putting the team on the field and that's the quality of the people we're talking to."
Former Socceroos captain Mark Viduka rejected overtures to play, so the club has options if it wishes to spend big money on a marquee player, who is paid outside the team's salary cap.
But the marquee player is likely to be one of the last players added to the squad once Heart sees what other personnel it can get for its debut A-League season.
Van't Schip has already indicated he will play attractive and technical football and it is logical, especially given his contacts, that he will target Dutch players, although not exclusively.
"My contacts are the best in Holland so it would be normal I would have more chance to get players from Holland," Van't Schip said.
"Them knowing I am the coach would make it easier, but also I've been to two or three other countries to look at players. Maybe we would have two or three players from one country, but it's not set."
While the player nationalities would not be crucial in the recruiting process, it seems likely Heart will look at attacking players in Europe to add some class in front of goal.
Much will eventually depend on the attractiveness of the club's financial offer.
"There are certain group of players that I have seen and they are also more or less interested," Van't Schip said.
"A lot depends on how their season develops and their own situation.
"There are some players possibly who would like to come, but it is a big step for them and they want more time to see what their position is.
"We've looked for players up front and players in the back, but players up front I gave a little more attention to.
"I watch every position and it depends what positions we have signed up. Also we need to look at old player and young players. Do we have a lot of young players and need experience? You need to get good balance."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/heart-coach-targets-european-recruits/story-e6frf9if-1225829332698
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart coach John van't Schip is set for an overseas trip to recruit several international players.
Having devoted much time to scouting players in Europe since his appointment, Van't Schip will step up the recruiting process.
With four players signed, Heart will announce more local recruits once the A-League season finishes, but Van't Schip wants commitments from several European players.
"We've spoken to about four players with international experience," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said.
"The main job is putting the team on the field and that's the quality of the people we're talking to."
Former Socceroos captain Mark Viduka rejected overtures to play, so the club has options if it wishes to spend big money on a marquee player, who is paid outside the team's salary cap.
But the marquee player is likely to be one of the last players added to the squad once Heart sees what other personnel it can get for its debut A-League season.
Van't Schip has already indicated he will play attractive and technical football and it is logical, especially given his contacts, that he will target Dutch players, although not exclusively.
"My contacts are the best in Holland so it would be normal I would have more chance to get players from Holland," Van't Schip said.
"Them knowing I am the coach would make it easier, but also I've been to two or three other countries to look at players. Maybe we would have two or three players from one country, but it's not set."
While the player nationalities would not be crucial in the recruiting process, it seems likely Heart will look at attacking players in Europe to add some class in front of goal.
Much will eventually depend on the attractiveness of the club's financial offer.
"There are certain group of players that I have seen and they are also more or less interested," Van't Schip said.
"A lot depends on how their season develops and their own situation.
"There are some players possibly who would like to come, but it is a big step for them and they want more time to see what their position is.
"We've looked for players up front and players in the back, but players up front I gave a little more attention to.
"I watch every position and it depends what positions we have signed up. Also we need to look at old player and young players. Do we have a lot of young players and need experience? You need to get good balance."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/heart-coach-targets-european-recruits/story-e6frf9if-1225829332698
Heart give up on Dukes
Date: February 11th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
Melbourne Heart’s director of football John Didulica has confirmed that the club has given up hope of tempting Mark Viduka to curtail his retirement and step out in the A-League for the newcomers next season.
The prospect of a Viduka return briefly loomed large in the minds of Heart officials after meetings between the former Socceroos captain, Didulica, Heart CEO Scott Munn and coach John van’t Schip before Christmas.
But reality has hit for the club, who wanted first refusal should the enigmatic 34-year-old striker choose to resurrect his career after nine months away from the game following his departure from Newcastle United at the end of last season.
“We only ever had informal talks with Mark about football in general,” Didulica told The World Game. “The nature of our discussions wasn’t solely about trying to get him to come back to the game, actually far from it.
“He’s given the last 18 years of his life to playing football and he’s entitled to take time out with family and decide which direction he ultimately wants to take. We are certainly not contemplating him signing for us.
“Whatever he decides to do is up to him. He’s earned that time and space and we were never in any position to push him into anything.
“We were happy he gave up his time to talk to us and give is impression on life at the top level of the game and we were thankful for that. He’s enjoying his time away from the game and we all respect that. Where he will be in six months or beyond, who can say?”
With Viduka resisting Heart’s entreaties, the club can now look elsewhere for striking talent with Didulica revealing that they will not necessarily seek a marquee capture and will instead concentrate on constructing a "marquee team, playing marquee football” when they ignite their rivalry with Melbourne Victory in 2010-11.
“Nobody has achieved that more effectively than Melbourne Victory,” he added. “When you strip away all the hype, what really is a marquee player? It’s really about how the team performs as a whole rather than a single individual.
“Our goal is to play effective, quality football – and whoever fits in with that is what we’re looking for.
“It’s not always about big names. Look how successful Carlos Hernandez has been for the Victory yet few people knew much about him before he came to Australia.
“You can win games and entertain fans without hitching your wagon to one person.”
Didulica insists the club is on track with its recruiting and will fill its five allotted visa spots after Van’t Schip’s recent foray to Europe yielded several targets, most of whom are coming off at their current clubs in May.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/heart-give-up-on-dukes-288817
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
Melbourne Heart’s director of football John Didulica has confirmed that the club has given up hope of tempting Mark Viduka to curtail his retirement and step out in the A-League for the newcomers next season.
The prospect of a Viduka return briefly loomed large in the minds of Heart officials after meetings between the former Socceroos captain, Didulica, Heart CEO Scott Munn and coach John van’t Schip before Christmas.
But reality has hit for the club, who wanted first refusal should the enigmatic 34-year-old striker choose to resurrect his career after nine months away from the game following his departure from Newcastle United at the end of last season.
“We only ever had informal talks with Mark about football in general,” Didulica told The World Game. “The nature of our discussions wasn’t solely about trying to get him to come back to the game, actually far from it.
“He’s given the last 18 years of his life to playing football and he’s entitled to take time out with family and decide which direction he ultimately wants to take. We are certainly not contemplating him signing for us.
“Whatever he decides to do is up to him. He’s earned that time and space and we were never in any position to push him into anything.
“We were happy he gave up his time to talk to us and give is impression on life at the top level of the game and we were thankful for that. He’s enjoying his time away from the game and we all respect that. Where he will be in six months or beyond, who can say?”
With Viduka resisting Heart’s entreaties, the club can now look elsewhere for striking talent with Didulica revealing that they will not necessarily seek a marquee capture and will instead concentrate on constructing a "marquee team, playing marquee football” when they ignite their rivalry with Melbourne Victory in 2010-11.
“Nobody has achieved that more effectively than Melbourne Victory,” he added. “When you strip away all the hype, what really is a marquee player? It’s really about how the team performs as a whole rather than a single individual.
“Our goal is to play effective, quality football – and whoever fits in with that is what we’re looking for.
“It’s not always about big names. Look how successful Carlos Hernandez has been for the Victory yet few people knew much about him before he came to Australia.
“You can win games and entertain fans without hitching your wagon to one person.”
Didulica insists the club is on track with its recruiting and will fill its five allotted visa spots after Van’t Schip’s recent foray to Europe yielded several targets, most of whom are coming off at their current clubs in May.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/heart-give-up-on-dukes-288817
No Melbourne Heart deal for Mark Viduka
Date: February 11th 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MARK Viduka has rejected overtures to play for Melbourne Heart next season, effectively ending his illustrious career.
The former Socceroos captain, who has not played since May when the English Premier League season ended, told Heart officials on Tuesday he did not want to resume playing, ending hopes he would guide the expansion team through its first A-League season.
While Viduka has not made any official announcement regarding his career, it seems the striker, probably Australia's best ever player at that position, is retired.
"We spoke to him about playing, but he doesn't want to," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said last night. "We didn't even get to a negotiation stage with him because we had only discussed the possibility.
"He said he's happy to keep chatting about other things, but he made it quite clear he is not interested in playing. He has his head in a different space now (away from football).
"We made sure we spoke to him and we're happy to have had that initial discussion. He's decided he doesn't want to play and we respect that decision, so it's futile to be fuelling speculation if he's not going to be involved."
It is not unexpected that Viduka, who played 43 times for the Socceroos and captained the team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, would resist attempts to pull on the boots again given clubs such as West Ham and Fulham had tabled offers during the off-season.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson foreshadowed Viduka's departure from the game after the Melbourne-born goalscorer visited Craven Cottage in August to consider an offer.
"By the end of our discussion it was pretty clear he'd made his decision to leave it behind and start a new life," Hodgson said at the time. "With Mark, it was always going to be a long shot because we realised when he left Newcastle it wasn't to go somewhere else, it was to start a new life."
Newcastle United was Viduka's last club in a career that had its foundation in the National Soccer League with Melbourne Knights before he went to European from 1995 for stints with Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic, Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Heart officials have not closed the door on Viduka, 34, being involved with the club in some capacity.
"Some of the information he has shared with us has been fantastic," Munn said.
"He is a football fan beyond the footballer and hopefully he'll continue to provide advice."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/no-melbourne-heart-deal-for-mark-viduka/story-e6frf9if-1225828914678
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MARK Viduka has rejected overtures to play for Melbourne Heart next season, effectively ending his illustrious career.
The former Socceroos captain, who has not played since May when the English Premier League season ended, told Heart officials on Tuesday he did not want to resume playing, ending hopes he would guide the expansion team through its first A-League season.
While Viduka has not made any official announcement regarding his career, it seems the striker, probably Australia's best ever player at that position, is retired.
"We spoke to him about playing, but he doesn't want to," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said last night. "We didn't even get to a negotiation stage with him because we had only discussed the possibility.
"He said he's happy to keep chatting about other things, but he made it quite clear he is not interested in playing. He has his head in a different space now (away from football).
"We made sure we spoke to him and we're happy to have had that initial discussion. He's decided he doesn't want to play and we respect that decision, so it's futile to be fuelling speculation if he's not going to be involved."
It is not unexpected that Viduka, who played 43 times for the Socceroos and captained the team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, would resist attempts to pull on the boots again given clubs such as West Ham and Fulham had tabled offers during the off-season.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson foreshadowed Viduka's departure from the game after the Melbourne-born goalscorer visited Craven Cottage in August to consider an offer.
"By the end of our discussion it was pretty clear he'd made his decision to leave it behind and start a new life," Hodgson said at the time. "With Mark, it was always going to be a long shot because we realised when he left Newcastle it wasn't to go somewhere else, it was to start a new life."
Newcastle United was Viduka's last club in a career that had its foundation in the National Soccer League with Melbourne Knights before he went to European from 1995 for stints with Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic, Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Heart officials have not closed the door on Viduka, 34, being involved with the club in some capacity.
"Some of the information he has shared with us has been fantastic," Munn said.
"He is a football fan beyond the footballer and hopefully he'll continue to provide advice."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/no-melbourne-heart-deal-for-mark-viduka/story-e6frf9if-1225828914678
Battle between Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory over deal
Date: February 2nd 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
A ROW has erupted between Melbourne's two A-League teams before they face off next season.
The dispute surrounds Melbourne Heart chairman and part-owner Peter Sidwell, who is also chairman of gambling giant Intralot - the Victory's $1 million-a-year major sponsor.
Intralot chiefs have approached the Victory seeking permission to terminate their two-year sponsorship deal at the end of this season - effectively cutting short the arrangement by 12 months.
Sidwell, who also acts as manager and financial adviser to Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, declined to discuss the Victory arrangement.
"It's a commercial in-confidence deal," he said.
But Victory chairman Geoff Lord told the Herald Sun he expected Intralot to honour the deal, which includes having the gambling company's brand splashed across the front of the Melbourne Victory shirt.
"We have a contract which is binding," Lord said yesterday.
The two-season Intralot deal was signed in May last year and came with an option for a third season.
Intralot, which has suffered a poor start to its Victorian lottery operation, has until now been pleased with the exposure the table-leading Melbourne Victory has provided.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/battle-between-melbourne-heart-and-melbourne-victory-over-deal/story-e6frfg8x-1225828489093
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
A ROW has erupted between Melbourne's two A-League teams before they face off next season.
The dispute surrounds Melbourne Heart chairman and part-owner Peter Sidwell, who is also chairman of gambling giant Intralot - the Victory's $1 million-a-year major sponsor.
Intralot chiefs have approached the Victory seeking permission to terminate their two-year sponsorship deal at the end of this season - effectively cutting short the arrangement by 12 months.
Sidwell, who also acts as manager and financial adviser to Magpies coach Mick Malthouse, declined to discuss the Victory arrangement.
"It's a commercial in-confidence deal," he said.
But Victory chairman Geoff Lord told the Herald Sun he expected Intralot to honour the deal, which includes having the gambling company's brand splashed across the front of the Melbourne Victory shirt.
"We have a contract which is binding," Lord said yesterday.
The two-season Intralot deal was signed in May last year and came with an option for a third season.
Intralot, which has suffered a poor start to its Victorian lottery operation, has until now been pleased with the exposure the table-leading Melbourne Victory has provided.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/battle-between-melbourne-heart-and-melbourne-victory-over-deal/story-e6frfg8x-1225828489093
Skoko-Viduka set for reunion
Date: February 9th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
Former Socceroo Josip Skoko has confirmed he is almost certain to finish his career in Australia with A-League expansion club Melbourne Heart, and very possibly alongside his long-time friend and former Australia skipper Mark Viduka.
It’s believed Skoko, 34, has been offered - and has in principal accepted - a two-season deal with the ambitious Heart, whose coach John van’t Schip watched the midfielder in action for his current club Hajduk Split in Croatia in November.
Van’t Schip held preliminary talks with him there before the former Genk, Genclerbirligi and Wigan playmaker returned to Australia to hold further discussions with Heart director of football John Didulica in Melbourne over Christmas.
When asked whether a deal had been done, Skoko told The World Game: “It’s not fully done yet but it’s looking that it could go that way. I had a good chat with John van’t Schip and I’ve worked under some Dutch coaches in my time and I have a lot of time for the way they approach the game.
“The Heart is an exciting project. I’m out of contract soon (in May) and it would be good to follow a new direction, especially something back at home.”
He also revealed that both he and Viduka, whose relationship began at the AIS as teenagers and blossomed with the national teams, had discussed the possibly of being reunited as teammates at the Heart.
“We talked about it a lot when I was back at Christmas and it’s definitely a possibility. As everybody knows, Mark is back in Melbourne now with his family and he’s still open to playing again," he added.
Van’t Schip has already sounded out the enigmatic 34-year-old former Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle hitman on the prospect of resurrecting his career as the Heart’s marquee man after an absence from the game that already stretches nine months.
And Skoko believes a return is not out of the question.
“Everybody knows that Dukes has his own mindset and nobody knows what his next move will be,” he added. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he decided to have a run with the Heart but then it wouldn’t surprise either if he called it quits either.
“Nothing is out of the question for him. Mark is keen to learn what the Heart, or any other club, has to offer. He’s open to suggestions.
“It would be great to play alongside him again – it would be a bonus for both of us.”
Skoko insists that Viduka’s potency will not have been eroded, despite his long lay-off.
“Once you are a great player you don’t just lose it,” he added. “No doubt he would need to get back some fitness but having a player of his calibre in the A-League can only help the game grow in Australia. I think people would flock to see him.”
Skoko has been overseas for 15 years and is hungry for a homecoming, and intrigued by the prospect of the A-League’s first city derby.
“That rivalry could be something special,” he added. “It will be good for the competition and should create a great buzz in Melbourne. It looks like the Heart are determined to make a huge impression and that’s good for the city."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/skoko-viduka-set-for-reunion-287961
Author: Not Specified
From: SBS The World Game
Former Socceroo Josip Skoko has confirmed he is almost certain to finish his career in Australia with A-League expansion club Melbourne Heart, and very possibly alongside his long-time friend and former Australia skipper Mark Viduka.
It’s believed Skoko, 34, has been offered - and has in principal accepted - a two-season deal with the ambitious Heart, whose coach John van’t Schip watched the midfielder in action for his current club Hajduk Split in Croatia in November.
Van’t Schip held preliminary talks with him there before the former Genk, Genclerbirligi and Wigan playmaker returned to Australia to hold further discussions with Heart director of football John Didulica in Melbourne over Christmas.
When asked whether a deal had been done, Skoko told The World Game: “It’s not fully done yet but it’s looking that it could go that way. I had a good chat with John van’t Schip and I’ve worked under some Dutch coaches in my time and I have a lot of time for the way they approach the game.
“The Heart is an exciting project. I’m out of contract soon (in May) and it would be good to follow a new direction, especially something back at home.”
He also revealed that both he and Viduka, whose relationship began at the AIS as teenagers and blossomed with the national teams, had discussed the possibly of being reunited as teammates at the Heart.
“We talked about it a lot when I was back at Christmas and it’s definitely a possibility. As everybody knows, Mark is back in Melbourne now with his family and he’s still open to playing again," he added.
Van’t Schip has already sounded out the enigmatic 34-year-old former Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle hitman on the prospect of resurrecting his career as the Heart’s marquee man after an absence from the game that already stretches nine months.
And Skoko believes a return is not out of the question.
“Everybody knows that Dukes has his own mindset and nobody knows what his next move will be,” he added. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he decided to have a run with the Heart but then it wouldn’t surprise either if he called it quits either.
“Nothing is out of the question for him. Mark is keen to learn what the Heart, or any other club, has to offer. He’s open to suggestions.
“It would be great to play alongside him again – it would be a bonus for both of us.”
Skoko insists that Viduka’s potency will not have been eroded, despite his long lay-off.
“Once you are a great player you don’t just lose it,” he added. “No doubt he would need to get back some fitness but having a player of his calibre in the A-League can only help the game grow in Australia. I think people would flock to see him.”
Skoko has been overseas for 15 years and is hungry for a homecoming, and intrigued by the prospect of the A-League’s first city derby.
“That rivalry could be something special,” he added. “It will be good for the competition and should create a great buzz in Melbourne. It looks like the Heart are determined to make a huge impression and that’s good for the city."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/skoko-viduka-set-for-reunion-287961
Heart's Plan B, C, And Heff
Date: February 8th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: If Melbourne Heart’s Dean Heffernan extends his current UK loan spell, the club say a back-up plan is in place for not just the fringe Socceroo, but all new recruits.
In late January, fullback Heffernan negotiated a release from Central Coast to make the switch to the Terriers until the end of the UK season.
He has impressed manager Lee Clark and the 29-year-old hopes the stint at Galpharm Stadium will boost his World Cup chances with the Socceroos.
However Heart, who have signed Heffernan for the club's inaugural season in the A-League, and say they are very confident the talented left-sided defender will be in red and white next season.
But a Heffernan back-up plan is in place should circumstances change at season's end.
"With all our signings, we have a plan B, C, D and so on," Heart's Head of Football Operations John Didulica told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he's seen the logo and he can't wait to wear it. He'll be back but if things accelerate based on the World Cup, we'd reconsider things."
Heffernan played on Saturday for Town but picked up an injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Carlisle at Galpharm. Anthony Pilkington's header had given the home side a 50th minute lead, but Ben Marshall equalised later in the half.
The Aussie was subbed in the 75th minute but received the plaudits of his manager.
"I thought Dean showed he has good energy and good fitness levels, but he picked up a niggly groin injury so we brought him off," Clark told the club's website.
The former Sydney United and Nurnberg player was one of four new signings to boost Town's push for the Championship next season alongside centre-backs Krystian Pearce and Neal Trotman and striker Nathan Eccleston.
And if Heffernan realises his World Cup dream, he'll join Huddersfield's Ron Staniforth, Bill McGarry and Ray Wilson who played in World Cups for England in the previous century.
What's more, if he does make Pim Verbeek's squad - to be announced in May - it will inflate his market value. If the promotion chasing League One side, or another club, wanted to sign Heffernan, Heart may do some good business for a player who is yet to even play for them.
But Didulica is not banking on Heffernan - who starred in Australia's 2-2 draw with Kuwait in January - being overseas next season.
"I'm not frightened," he said. "Our expectations are that he'll be back. There are so many ifs and buts, it's not something we can address now but based on the conversations we've had, it's unlikely. But we'd consider it."
In other Heart news, the club has already been approached by a group of fans who want to form the club's official supporter group, and a major sponsorship deal is understood to be close to being announced.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/122082,hearts-plan-b-c-and-heff.aspx
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: If Melbourne Heart’s Dean Heffernan extends his current UK loan spell, the club say a back-up plan is in place for not just the fringe Socceroo, but all new recruits.
In late January, fullback Heffernan negotiated a release from Central Coast to make the switch to the Terriers until the end of the UK season.
He has impressed manager Lee Clark and the 29-year-old hopes the stint at Galpharm Stadium will boost his World Cup chances with the Socceroos.
However Heart, who have signed Heffernan for the club's inaugural season in the A-League, and say they are very confident the talented left-sided defender will be in red and white next season.
But a Heffernan back-up plan is in place should circumstances change at season's end.
"With all our signings, we have a plan B, C, D and so on," Heart's Head of Football Operations John Didulica told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he's seen the logo and he can't wait to wear it. He'll be back but if things accelerate based on the World Cup, we'd reconsider things."
Heffernan played on Saturday for Town but picked up an injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Carlisle at Galpharm. Anthony Pilkington's header had given the home side a 50th minute lead, but Ben Marshall equalised later in the half.
The Aussie was subbed in the 75th minute but received the plaudits of his manager.
"I thought Dean showed he has good energy and good fitness levels, but he picked up a niggly groin injury so we brought him off," Clark told the club's website.
The former Sydney United and Nurnberg player was one of four new signings to boost Town's push for the Championship next season alongside centre-backs Krystian Pearce and Neal Trotman and striker Nathan Eccleston.
And if Heffernan realises his World Cup dream, he'll join Huddersfield's Ron Staniforth, Bill McGarry and Ray Wilson who played in World Cups for England in the previous century.
What's more, if he does make Pim Verbeek's squad - to be announced in May - it will inflate his market value. If the promotion chasing League One side, or another club, wanted to sign Heffernan, Heart may do some good business for a player who is yet to even play for them.
But Didulica is not banking on Heffernan - who starred in Australia's 2-2 draw with Kuwait in January - being overseas next season.
"I'm not frightened," he said. "Our expectations are that he'll be back. There are so many ifs and buts, it's not something we can address now but based on the conversations we've had, it's unlikely. But we'd consider it."
In other Heart news, the club has already been approached by a group of fans who want to form the club's official supporter group, and a major sponsorship deal is understood to be close to being announced.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/122082,hearts-plan-b-c-and-heff.aspx
New A-League club out to capture Geelong's heart
Date: February 5th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: The Geelong Advertiser
INCOMING A-League side Melbourne Heart is set to launch a PR offensive to woo Geelong soccer fans with plans to stage matches at Skilled Stadium and at local clubs.
Set to join the competition next summer, the Heart - which officially unveiled its name and logo this week - said it was looking to reach out to fans beyond Melbourne, with Geelong a key target market.
Heart's CEO Scott Munn revealed that the club has held talks with AFL premier Geelong over the use of Skilled Stadium for a glamour friendly fixture.
"We are planning activities in regional Victoria and we want a practice match in the Geelong area," Munn said.
"We've had dialogue with (Geelong Cats CEO) Brian Cook about that. It would be an international friendly against Celtic or someone like that. It won't necessarily be this season, but it will definitely be something we will explore."
Munn added the club was committed to a practice match against a representative Geelong side in the city during the middle of the year.
"We've had conversations with the FFV about a friendly against a regional Geelong team," he said. "The match would probably be held at North Geelong Warriors' ground. "It would be a fantastic opportunity for fans to see A-League players in action.
"We want to make sure, though, that when we come into Geelong, we're not fly-by-nights. We will spend three or four days in Geelong to engage with the local community, businesses and fans."
The Heart's cause to woo fans away from A-League rivals Melbourne Victory should be boosted if they can sign Geelong soccer star Josip Skoko as its marquee player.
Skoko, the former Socceroo, is poised to end his contract with Croatian heavyweight Hajduk Split and has indicated his desire to return to Melbourne after 15 years in Europe.
The 33-year-old has met with Heart coach John van't Schip to discuss the possibility of ending his career with the A-League newcomers.
Melbourne Heart's knowledge of the Geelong area will undoubtedly be boosted by the presence of John Didulica, who has been appointed football operations manager of the club.
Didulica, who played in the NSL for Sydney United and Melbourne Knights, has a law practice in Geelong and was a former soccer columnist for the Geelong Advertiser. In recent years, he has acted as legal counsel for the FFA.
"John in a Geelong boy and we are delighted that we have him as an ambassador," Munn said.
Munn said that Melbourne Heart had a target of at least 7500 members when it joins the A-League next season.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/02/05/143611_geelong_sports.html
Author: Not Specified
From: The Geelong Advertiser
INCOMING A-League side Melbourne Heart is set to launch a PR offensive to woo Geelong soccer fans with plans to stage matches at Skilled Stadium and at local clubs.
Set to join the competition next summer, the Heart - which officially unveiled its name and logo this week - said it was looking to reach out to fans beyond Melbourne, with Geelong a key target market.
Heart's CEO Scott Munn revealed that the club has held talks with AFL premier Geelong over the use of Skilled Stadium for a glamour friendly fixture.
"We are planning activities in regional Victoria and we want a practice match in the Geelong area," Munn said.
"We've had dialogue with (Geelong Cats CEO) Brian Cook about that. It would be an international friendly against Celtic or someone like that. It won't necessarily be this season, but it will definitely be something we will explore."
Munn added the club was committed to a practice match against a representative Geelong side in the city during the middle of the year.
"We've had conversations with the FFV about a friendly against a regional Geelong team," he said. "The match would probably be held at North Geelong Warriors' ground. "It would be a fantastic opportunity for fans to see A-League players in action.
"We want to make sure, though, that when we come into Geelong, we're not fly-by-nights. We will spend three or four days in Geelong to engage with the local community, businesses and fans."
The Heart's cause to woo fans away from A-League rivals Melbourne Victory should be boosted if they can sign Geelong soccer star Josip Skoko as its marquee player.
Skoko, the former Socceroo, is poised to end his contract with Croatian heavyweight Hajduk Split and has indicated his desire to return to Melbourne after 15 years in Europe.
The 33-year-old has met with Heart coach John van't Schip to discuss the possibility of ending his career with the A-League newcomers.
Melbourne Heart's knowledge of the Geelong area will undoubtedly be boosted by the presence of John Didulica, who has been appointed football operations manager of the club.
Didulica, who played in the NSL for Sydney United and Melbourne Knights, has a law practice in Geelong and was a former soccer columnist for the Geelong Advertiser. In recent years, he has acted as legal counsel for the FFA.
"John in a Geelong boy and we are delighted that we have him as an ambassador," Munn said.
Munn said that Melbourne Heart had a target of at least 7500 members when it joins the A-League next season.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/02/05/143611_geelong_sports.html
'Expansion Saved The A-League'
Date: February 5th 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Sydney FC’s foundation player Terry McFlynn says A-League expansion has been vital in revitalising the competition for players and fans alike.
The former Northern Ireland youth representative is one of a dwindling number of foundation players in the A-League after arriving in Australia as an unknown in early 2005.
McFlynn signed for Pierre Littbarski's Sydney that year and barely 12 months later held up the golden toilet seat. The midfielder has been a virtual ever-present in a sky blue shirt ever since.
Looking back on the competition's almost five year history, McFlynn says after four seasons stagnation was a major problem - but not now.
"As players you've got more games and more competition. Before when it was eight teams you were sort of playing the same teams and seeing the same faces," he told au.fourfourtwo.com at Wednesday night's Foosball World Cup.
"It's hard to say what differences there are but I think the inclusion of two new teams and another new team coming in next season and one after that is great for the league.
"It's great for us to be playing different teams and for the fans to see different players. And you look at guys like Robbie Fowler now coming to the A-League, it's fantastic for the league and the league is getting bigger and better in my opinion."
Some have questioned the notion of expanding the league in a difficult economic climate. The inclusion of North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United have been generally successful on the park.
But underwhelming crowds at both new franchises - in particular on the Gold Coast - and generally across the league have cast doubt about the public's appetite for expanding the league.
A case in point is Melbourne Heart who have publicly stated a conservative target of 7000 members for their first foray into the A-League next season.
However, the FFA is set on a course of further expansion allowing more games and more opportunities for younger players to ply their wares at the highest level.
The expansion also strengthens the governing body's hand when negotiating the all-important TV broadcasting deal - which is up in two years.
As for the differences between the standard of play from season one compared to the current version and McFlynn felt the more professional conditioning of clubs was starting to show through.
"I think a lot of clubs do put more emphasis on fitness now so obviously there is a big aspect of tempo and intensity," said McFlynn.
"It possibly has got faster but there've been teams over the years who've always played a high-tempo game. Each club approaches things differently but as a whole I wouldn't say it's got faster."
McFlynn joined his FC teammates John Aloisi, Stevie Corica and Alex Brosque at the first official FourFourTwo Fussball World Cup at Star City on Wednesday night.
The Irishman backed the concept as a unique way for football to promote itself in Australia's crowded sports market - particularly with celebrities such as Annalise Braakensiek, Benny Elias and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor on hand to lend support.
"Any involvement for our game is good and to see such a good turnout and a replica of the World Cup within touching distance of everyone is great for the game," he said.
McFlynn's Sydney play Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday in a crucial clash for top six places. Sydney sit third two points off the top two. In-form Glory are fourth on the ladder but six points shy of the sky blues.
And with Daniel McBreen and Andrija Jukic as well as promoted striker Branko Jelic in their squad, they'll have the firepower to trouble the home side.
What's more, it's a ground with special meaning for the club. It was at Parramatta Stadium in April 2004 that the purple shirts triumphed in the final NSL grand final with a 1-0 win over Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton's Parramatta Power.
However, McFlynn believed that even if the sky blues were to finish in third it was still possible to win the golden toilet seat - it would just require a different mindset.
He added: "If that happened [finishing third] every game becomes like a Cup final - you've just got to approach it with that mentality."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121915,expansion-saved-the-aleague.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Sydney FC’s foundation player Terry McFlynn says A-League expansion has been vital in revitalising the competition for players and fans alike.
The former Northern Ireland youth representative is one of a dwindling number of foundation players in the A-League after arriving in Australia as an unknown in early 2005.
McFlynn signed for Pierre Littbarski's Sydney that year and barely 12 months later held up the golden toilet seat. The midfielder has been a virtual ever-present in a sky blue shirt ever since.
Looking back on the competition's almost five year history, McFlynn says after four seasons stagnation was a major problem - but not now.
"As players you've got more games and more competition. Before when it was eight teams you were sort of playing the same teams and seeing the same faces," he told au.fourfourtwo.com at Wednesday night's Foosball World Cup.
"It's hard to say what differences there are but I think the inclusion of two new teams and another new team coming in next season and one after that is great for the league.
"It's great for us to be playing different teams and for the fans to see different players. And you look at guys like Robbie Fowler now coming to the A-League, it's fantastic for the league and the league is getting bigger and better in my opinion."
Some have questioned the notion of expanding the league in a difficult economic climate. The inclusion of North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United have been generally successful on the park.
But underwhelming crowds at both new franchises - in particular on the Gold Coast - and generally across the league have cast doubt about the public's appetite for expanding the league.
A case in point is Melbourne Heart who have publicly stated a conservative target of 7000 members for their first foray into the A-League next season.
However, the FFA is set on a course of further expansion allowing more games and more opportunities for younger players to ply their wares at the highest level.
The expansion also strengthens the governing body's hand when negotiating the all-important TV broadcasting deal - which is up in two years.
As for the differences between the standard of play from season one compared to the current version and McFlynn felt the more professional conditioning of clubs was starting to show through.
"I think a lot of clubs do put more emphasis on fitness now so obviously there is a big aspect of tempo and intensity," said McFlynn.
"It possibly has got faster but there've been teams over the years who've always played a high-tempo game. Each club approaches things differently but as a whole I wouldn't say it's got faster."
McFlynn joined his FC teammates John Aloisi, Stevie Corica and Alex Brosque at the first official FourFourTwo Fussball World Cup at Star City on Wednesday night.
The Irishman backed the concept as a unique way for football to promote itself in Australia's crowded sports market - particularly with celebrities such as Annalise Braakensiek, Benny Elias and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor on hand to lend support.
"Any involvement for our game is good and to see such a good turnout and a replica of the World Cup within touching distance of everyone is great for the game," he said.
McFlynn's Sydney play Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday in a crucial clash for top six places. Sydney sit third two points off the top two. In-form Glory are fourth on the ladder but six points shy of the sky blues.
And with Daniel McBreen and Andrija Jukic as well as promoted striker Branko Jelic in their squad, they'll have the firepower to trouble the home side.
What's more, it's a ground with special meaning for the club. It was at Parramatta Stadium in April 2004 that the purple shirts triumphed in the final NSL grand final with a 1-0 win over Simon Colosimo and Clint Bolton's Parramatta Power.
However, McFlynn believed that even if the sky blues were to finish in third it was still possible to win the golden toilet seat - it would just require a different mindset.
He added: "If that happened [finishing third] every game becomes like a Cup final - you've just got to approach it with that mentality."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121915,expansion-saved-the-aleague.aspx
Charity protests at Melbourne Heart's logo
Date: February 3rd 2010
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
WINNING hearts is one thing, taking the heart name quite another, as Victoria's new A-League club, Melbourne Heart FC, is about to discover.
On the day the club's choice of name, heart-shaped logo and red and white colours were officially unveiled, the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation of Melbourne confirmed it intends to proceed with an objection to the moniker it lodged 13 days ago with IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs.
Andrew Chappell, chief executive of the foundation which holds trademark rights to the logo Heart of Melbourne, the slogan by which its annual appeal for the homeless is known, said the names of the club and the appeal were too similar not to create confusion.
"We're a foundation that raises money for charities and to draw the attention of donors we use a number of brands. The Heart of Melbourne is one of them" Chappell said. "It's an appeal we conduct for the homeless of Melbourne and, for us it's a bit like the Red Shield appeal is to the Salvation Army. Something we conduct each year and have become known for. We've been building it up for a number of years and we trademarked it early on to protect it. There is a whole series of things built around the appeal and from our point of view it is something quite important and valuable.
"We wish the club every success but our worry is that confusion might arise in the minds of people who donate to the appeal, to the cause of the homeless who need our support. There is risk of confusion all round."
While the Football Federation of Australia was aware last year of AFL opposition to the new club's use of the association between Melbourne and FC, it only became aware of the LMCF's disquiet days after its objection was lodged with IP Australia on January 22.
The FFA owns the names by which its clubs participate in its league.
According to Chappell, a legal letter of complaint was also sent to the FFA but he said that to date there had been no other correspondence. Chappell said it was "very disappointing" to hear of Melbourne Heart FC's launch yesterday without any sort of word of an attempted settlement being exchanged between the parties.
"I'm disappointed they haven't spoken to us. Our lawyers sent a letter to the organisation (FFA) in Sydney and it's very disappointing that we haven't been contacted yet by either the club or the governing body of the competition to talk about the issue," he said.
"Hopefully it can be worked through but I'm yet to hear anything. Anything at all.
"We don't want to be obstructive but I'm sure the club wouldn't want to undermine efforts to help the homeless of Melbourne, either. It's a matter of working through some answer because right now, we see a big risk of confusion."
An FFA spokesman told The Australian late last week that the matter "has to be negotiated but will be resolved" and Melbourne Heart FC chief executive Scott Munn said he was confident that an embarrassing change of name for the A-League's 11th club would not be required.
A second name, Sporting Melbourne FC, has been lodged by the FFA with IP Australia and is in the process of trademark approval. No objections to the Sporting Melbourne name have yet emerged.
The LMCF has until April 22 to substantiate its objection, something Chappell said would occur unless a compromise was reached beforehand, although he indicated that trademark protection for the Heart of Melbourne name would not be relinquished.
"We wanted to flag our concern and we had to object because an objection is a procedural requirement in these sorts of matters. But more importantly, our whole role is to help people who need help and we don't want any confusion at all in donors' minds.
"We've got until late April to document fully our concerns. We aren't wishing anything but the best for the club but it's of fundamental concern to us that we support the homeless people of Melbourne, which is why the campaign was created."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/battle-heats-up-for-heart-of-melbourne/story-e6frf9if-1225826211461
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
WINNING hearts is one thing, taking the heart name quite another, as Victoria's new A-League club, Melbourne Heart FC, is about to discover.
On the day the club's choice of name, heart-shaped logo and red and white colours were officially unveiled, the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation of Melbourne confirmed it intends to proceed with an objection to the moniker it lodged 13 days ago with IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs.
Andrew Chappell, chief executive of the foundation which holds trademark rights to the logo Heart of Melbourne, the slogan by which its annual appeal for the homeless is known, said the names of the club and the appeal were too similar not to create confusion.
"We're a foundation that raises money for charities and to draw the attention of donors we use a number of brands. The Heart of Melbourne is one of them" Chappell said. "It's an appeal we conduct for the homeless of Melbourne and, for us it's a bit like the Red Shield appeal is to the Salvation Army. Something we conduct each year and have become known for. We've been building it up for a number of years and we trademarked it early on to protect it. There is a whole series of things built around the appeal and from our point of view it is something quite important and valuable.
"We wish the club every success but our worry is that confusion might arise in the minds of people who donate to the appeal, to the cause of the homeless who need our support. There is risk of confusion all round."
While the Football Federation of Australia was aware last year of AFL opposition to the new club's use of the association between Melbourne and FC, it only became aware of the LMCF's disquiet days after its objection was lodged with IP Australia on January 22.
The FFA owns the names by which its clubs participate in its league.
According to Chappell, a legal letter of complaint was also sent to the FFA but he said that to date there had been no other correspondence. Chappell said it was "very disappointing" to hear of Melbourne Heart FC's launch yesterday without any sort of word of an attempted settlement being exchanged between the parties.
"I'm disappointed they haven't spoken to us. Our lawyers sent a letter to the organisation (FFA) in Sydney and it's very disappointing that we haven't been contacted yet by either the club or the governing body of the competition to talk about the issue," he said.
"Hopefully it can be worked through but I'm yet to hear anything. Anything at all.
"We don't want to be obstructive but I'm sure the club wouldn't want to undermine efforts to help the homeless of Melbourne, either. It's a matter of working through some answer because right now, we see a big risk of confusion."
An FFA spokesman told The Australian late last week that the matter "has to be negotiated but will be resolved" and Melbourne Heart FC chief executive Scott Munn said he was confident that an embarrassing change of name for the A-League's 11th club would not be required.
A second name, Sporting Melbourne FC, has been lodged by the FFA with IP Australia and is in the process of trademark approval. No objections to the Sporting Melbourne name have yet emerged.
The LMCF has until April 22 to substantiate its objection, something Chappell said would occur unless a compromise was reached beforehand, although he indicated that trademark protection for the Heart of Melbourne name would not be relinquished.
"We wanted to flag our concern and we had to object because an objection is a procedural requirement in these sorts of matters. But more importantly, our whole role is to help people who need help and we don't want any confusion at all in donors' minds.
"We've got until late April to document fully our concerns. We aren't wishing anything but the best for the club but it's of fundamental concern to us that we support the homeless people of Melbourne, which is why the campaign was created."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/battle-heats-up-for-heart-of-melbourne/story-e6frf9if-1225826211461
Heart: Now To Find Our Fans
Date: February 2nd 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: A buoyant Melbourne Heart CEO Scott Munn says the next step in the new A-League club’s development is to grow a new fanbase alongside A-League giant Melbourne Victory.
Heart confirmed their name and logo today in a key move for the fledging club. Additionally, their new kit will be launched in the coming weeks with a red and white stripe look the hot tip.
But now the club's CEO is sharpening his focus to the supporters, saying it's time Heart began building their fan-base.
And with around seven months till they kick their first ball in the A-League, he is acutely aware that time is running out.
"Time is our biggest enemy now. Every day lost is one we miss out on," Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"The big one for us now is for fans to go to our website at www.melbourneheartfc.com.au and register their support. It costs nothing and we'll give you regular updates. That's our next big step.
"The fans are going to be the lifeblood of Heart and key to our longevity."
The club plan to launch their memberships over the next two to three months and, as Munn puts it, they want their fans to "put their hand on their hearts and support us".
"We'll deliver exciting football; traditional style of play from John van't Schip with great technical experience. It's going to be an absolute fun experience to come to our games," he added.
"Gee, I'm looking forward to that first match against Victory."
The club's logo and playing strip is predominantly red and white, taken from the official Melbourne flag. It is 'truly representative of the city's sporting public', say Heart.
"The one thing about a logo is that everyone has an opinion and everyone's entitled to it," added Munn, who is en-route to Sydney for an A-League CEOs meeting on Wednesday.
"But the general feedback has been positive. We wanted to make sure the shield in the logo reflected our historical values and we think it will look striking on a jumper and we're really happy with the feedback."
Munn also paid tribute to the silks at FFA who navigated tricky legal issues surrounding the club's new official name.
There were reported issues with the name and Melbourne Football Club in the AFL. But that appears to have been surmounted thanks largely to the FFA.
"It would've been frustrating if we'd announced something early then later had to retract the legal process," he said.
"When I first took over we had a clear meeting with the board where it was clear that the name couldn't be Melbourne Heart for legal reasons, but all credit to FFA's legal department who worked tirelessly to work through all the avenues.
"But ultimately the public made the choice. It resonated with the fans."
So what will the fans be cheering at Heart matches? Munn said while Heart is the name it's possible that an unofficial nickname may also enter the Bubble Dome lexicon over time.
He added: "If we end up having another nickname that works as an unofficial moniker, okay, but we'll start with Heart."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121756,heart-now-to-find-our-fans.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: A buoyant Melbourne Heart CEO Scott Munn says the next step in the new A-League club’s development is to grow a new fanbase alongside A-League giant Melbourne Victory.
Heart confirmed their name and logo today in a key move for the fledging club. Additionally, their new kit will be launched in the coming weeks with a red and white stripe look the hot tip.
But now the club's CEO is sharpening his focus to the supporters, saying it's time Heart began building their fan-base.
And with around seven months till they kick their first ball in the A-League, he is acutely aware that time is running out.
"Time is our biggest enemy now. Every day lost is one we miss out on," Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"The big one for us now is for fans to go to our website at www.melbourneheartfc.com.au and register their support. It costs nothing and we'll give you regular updates. That's our next big step.
"The fans are going to be the lifeblood of Heart and key to our longevity."
The club plan to launch their memberships over the next two to three months and, as Munn puts it, they want their fans to "put their hand on their hearts and support us".
"We'll deliver exciting football; traditional style of play from John van't Schip with great technical experience. It's going to be an absolute fun experience to come to our games," he added.
"Gee, I'm looking forward to that first match against Victory."
The club's logo and playing strip is predominantly red and white, taken from the official Melbourne flag. It is 'truly representative of the city's sporting public', say Heart.
"The one thing about a logo is that everyone has an opinion and everyone's entitled to it," added Munn, who is en-route to Sydney for an A-League CEOs meeting on Wednesday.
"But the general feedback has been positive. We wanted to make sure the shield in the logo reflected our historical values and we think it will look striking on a jumper and we're really happy with the feedback."
Munn also paid tribute to the silks at FFA who navigated tricky legal issues surrounding the club's new official name.
There were reported issues with the name and Melbourne Football Club in the AFL. But that appears to have been surmounted thanks largely to the FFA.
"It would've been frustrating if we'd announced something early then later had to retract the legal process," he said.
"When I first took over we had a clear meeting with the board where it was clear that the name couldn't be Melbourne Heart for legal reasons, but all credit to FFA's legal department who worked tirelessly to work through all the avenues.
"But ultimately the public made the choice. It resonated with the fans."
So what will the fans be cheering at Heart matches? Munn said while Heart is the name it's possible that an unofficial nickname may also enter the Bubble Dome lexicon over time.
He added: "If we end up having another nickname that works as an unofficial moniker, okay, but we'll start with Heart."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121756,heart-now-to-find-our-fans.aspx
Melbourne Heart coach confirms Viduka talks
Date: February 2nd 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart will not be left wondering whether former Socceroos captain Mark Viduka decides to make a comeback.
Heart coach John van't Schip confirmed he had spoken to the seemingly reclusive Viduka, who has not played, nor given any indication that he will, since his contract ran out with English club Newcastle United at the end of last season.
Living in Melbourne after spending several months in Europe, Viduka, 34, has not announced his retirement, which led Van't Schip to talk to the striker.
"I've spoken with him," the Dutchman said yesterday.
"It was a good talk. We have made agreement we will catch up one day again and see how we can go on further.
"We didn't really speak about specific things. We just talked to know each other and what we could do for each other."
Asked whether Viduka, who burst on to the scene with Melbourne Knights in the 1990s, had indicated if he was open to playing, Van't Schip said: "I'm not going to talk about what we talked about. We had a talk and that's about it. That's the first step maybe and it could be interesting."
The revelation of the Viduka contact coincided with the announcement the A-League's 11th franchise would be known as Melbourne Heart, carrying on the syndicate's working title, and would wear red and white stripes when it enters the league for the 2010-11 season.
Heart also unveiled its club logo, a stylised MH in a heart-shaped shield.
Several names, including Sporting Melbourne FC, were suggested for the club and road-tested with the public through the Herald Sun website.
But Heart carried the day and made a winner of Lee Cafun of Moorabbin, who nominated Heart as the name in the online competition.
"Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased the supporters have gone this way," Van't Schip said.
"Now this important step is in place, the club will continue to work hard to attract some great talent so we can build a competitive team and hopefully surprise a little when the A-League starts next season."
Heart has four players on its books - Kristian Sarkies, Matt Thompson, Jason Hoffman and Dean Heffernan.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/melbourne-heart-coach-confirms-viduka-talks/story-e6frg12c-1225825911655
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart will not be left wondering whether former Socceroos captain Mark Viduka decides to make a comeback.
Heart coach John van't Schip confirmed he had spoken to the seemingly reclusive Viduka, who has not played, nor given any indication that he will, since his contract ran out with English club Newcastle United at the end of last season.
Living in Melbourne after spending several months in Europe, Viduka, 34, has not announced his retirement, which led Van't Schip to talk to the striker.
"I've spoken with him," the Dutchman said yesterday.
"It was a good talk. We have made agreement we will catch up one day again and see how we can go on further.
"We didn't really speak about specific things. We just talked to know each other and what we could do for each other."
Asked whether Viduka, who burst on to the scene with Melbourne Knights in the 1990s, had indicated if he was open to playing, Van't Schip said: "I'm not going to talk about what we talked about. We had a talk and that's about it. That's the first step maybe and it could be interesting."
The revelation of the Viduka contact coincided with the announcement the A-League's 11th franchise would be known as Melbourne Heart, carrying on the syndicate's working title, and would wear red and white stripes when it enters the league for the 2010-11 season.
Heart also unveiled its club logo, a stylised MH in a heart-shaped shield.
Several names, including Sporting Melbourne FC, were suggested for the club and road-tested with the public through the Herald Sun website.
But Heart carried the day and made a winner of Lee Cafun of Moorabbin, who nominated Heart as the name in the online competition.
"Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased the supporters have gone this way," Van't Schip said.
"Now this important step is in place, the club will continue to work hard to attract some great talent so we can build a competitive team and hopefully surprise a little when the A-League starts next season."
Heart has four players on its books - Kristian Sarkies, Matt Thompson, Jason Hoffman and Dean Heffernan.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/melbourne-heart-coach-confirms-viduka-talks/story-e6frg12c-1225825911655
New A-League team decides on Melbourne Heart
Date: February 2nd 2010
Author: Andrew Slevison
From: Tribal Football
The newest A-League team has decided to stick with the name Melbourne Heart.
After working under the title since day one, the second Melbourne club will retain the Heart moniker, deciding to go against the mooted Sporting Melbourne FC.
The Heart will play in a red and white strip but whether that is stripes like English clubs Sunderland and Stoke City or a red sash on a white background like Argentina’s River Plate is yet to be confirmed.
The 11th A-League club also released their logo which is the initials M and H inside a stylised red heart and club CEO Scott Munn said that the city of Melbourne was well represented by the colours and logo of the club.
"Sport is an essential part of our city's cultural fabric and helps bind our community in a very unique way. It essentially defines what it means to be Victorian, and we believe our name, Melbourne Heart, is representative of that," Munn said.
Heart head coach John van ‘t Schip was happy the club kept the name as it was his favourite when the choices were made official.
"The supporters having an opportunity to name their football team is very special. Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased that the supporters have gone this way," he said.
"Now this important step is in place, the club will continue to work hard to attract some great talent to Victoria so that we can build a competitive team and hopefully surprise a little when the A-League starts next season."
http://www.tribalfootball.com/new-league-team-decides-melbourne-heart-615281
Author: Andrew Slevison
From: Tribal Football
The newest A-League team has decided to stick with the name Melbourne Heart.
After working under the title since day one, the second Melbourne club will retain the Heart moniker, deciding to go against the mooted Sporting Melbourne FC.
The Heart will play in a red and white strip but whether that is stripes like English clubs Sunderland and Stoke City or a red sash on a white background like Argentina’s River Plate is yet to be confirmed.
The 11th A-League club also released their logo which is the initials M and H inside a stylised red heart and club CEO Scott Munn said that the city of Melbourne was well represented by the colours and logo of the club.
"Sport is an essential part of our city's cultural fabric and helps bind our community in a very unique way. It essentially defines what it means to be Victorian, and we believe our name, Melbourne Heart, is representative of that," Munn said.
Heart head coach John van ‘t Schip was happy the club kept the name as it was his favourite when the choices were made official.
"The supporters having an opportunity to name their football team is very special. Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased that the supporters have gone this way," he said.
"Now this important step is in place, the club will continue to work hard to attract some great talent to Victoria so that we can build a competitive team and hopefully surprise a little when the A-League starts next season."
http://www.tribalfootball.com/new-league-team-decides-melbourne-heart-615281
Heffernan to Huddersfield
Author: AAP
From: Herald Sun
Date: January 29th 2010
THE Central Coast Mariners have released left fullback Dean Heffernan to English League One side Huddersfield for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.
With the Mariners expected to miss the A-League's finals series, Heffernan's move to England is a boost for his World Cup chances.
Heffernan has already signed on for new club Melbourne Heart for the next A-League season.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek is keen to see players involved in matches in the months leading up to the June tournament in South Africa.
"Whilst wishing Dean all the best, we are now fully focused on the immediate goal of qualifying for the Hyundai A-League finals series,'' Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said.
Heffernan became the 13th player to represent the Mariners after coming on as a substitute in the club's second-ever competitive match, a 4-nil victory over Adelaide United in the 2005 Club World Championship.
The 29-year-old went on to play 83 competitive matches for the club, 65 of those in the Hyundai A-League, scoring 10 goals.
The seventh-placed Mariners play the Glory in Perth on Sunday.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/heffernan-to-huddersfield/story-e6frf9if-1225824558151
From: Herald Sun
Date: January 29th 2010
THE Central Coast Mariners have released left fullback Dean Heffernan to English League One side Huddersfield for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.
With the Mariners expected to miss the A-League's finals series, Heffernan's move to England is a boost for his World Cup chances.
Heffernan has already signed on for new club Melbourne Heart for the next A-League season.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek is keen to see players involved in matches in the months leading up to the June tournament in South Africa.
"Whilst wishing Dean all the best, we are now fully focused on the immediate goal of qualifying for the Hyundai A-League finals series,'' Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said.
Heffernan became the 13th player to represent the Mariners after coming on as a substitute in the club's second-ever competitive match, a 4-nil victory over Adelaide United in the 2005 Club World Championship.
The 29-year-old went on to play 83 competitive matches for the club, 65 of those in the Hyundai A-League, scoring 10 goals.
The seventh-placed Mariners play the Glory in Perth on Sunday.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/heffernan-to-huddersfield/story-e6frf9if-1225824558151
Heart FC ignites row with AFL over name
Date: January 29th 2010
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
VICTORIA's second A-League team is expected to announce within a fortnight that it will enter the competition this year under the name Melbourne Heart FC.
If this proves to be so, it will be despite objections from the AFL and the Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund.
The AFL, on behalf of the 151-year-old Melbourne Football Club, sent a legal letter of complaint to Football Federation Australia late last year about the prospect of the 11th A-League outfit bringing Melbourne and FC together in its name.
While IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs, has no record of an objection from the AFL and only two weeks ago granted approval to the name Melbourne Heart FC, a formal protest was lodged by the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund seven days ago, on January 22.
The fund, which has three registered trademarks for the name Heart of Melbourne, has until April 22 to substantiate its objections with IP Australia. Despite this, Heart chief executive Scott Munn said yesterday he was "confident that the imminent launch of the club's name, logo and colours will proceed".
The AFL and the Melbourne Football Club sought to prevent the Heart from using any combination of Melbourne and FC but, perhaps, did not take the matter to IP Australia because the official title of Victoria's existing A-League team -- Melbourne Victory FC carries both elements.
It is understood that the AFL's general manager of legal services Andrew Dillon pursued the matter with Tim Holden, a lawyer who handles intellectual property matters for the FFA, and Munn who, 12 months ago, was the AFL's licensing and new business manager.
"My understanding from the FFA is that we have been permitted to proceed provided there is sufficient differentiation in the name to avoid any confusion," Munn said. "That if we want, just as an example, to call ourselves Melbourne Jets FC, with Jets clearly being a point of difference, then we can."
The new A-League team is expected to play in a red and white striped strip.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/heart-fc-ignites-row-with-afl-over-name/story-e6frg7mf-1225824479635
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
VICTORIA's second A-League team is expected to announce within a fortnight that it will enter the competition this year under the name Melbourne Heart FC.
If this proves to be so, it will be despite objections from the AFL and the Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund.
The AFL, on behalf of the 151-year-old Melbourne Football Club, sent a legal letter of complaint to Football Federation Australia late last year about the prospect of the 11th A-League outfit bringing Melbourne and FC together in its name.
While IP Australia, the federal agency which grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs, has no record of an objection from the AFL and only two weeks ago granted approval to the name Melbourne Heart FC, a formal protest was lodged by the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund seven days ago, on January 22.
The fund, which has three registered trademarks for the name Heart of Melbourne, has until April 22 to substantiate its objections with IP Australia. Despite this, Heart chief executive Scott Munn said yesterday he was "confident that the imminent launch of the club's name, logo and colours will proceed".
The AFL and the Melbourne Football Club sought to prevent the Heart from using any combination of Melbourne and FC but, perhaps, did not take the matter to IP Australia because the official title of Victoria's existing A-League team -- Melbourne Victory FC carries both elements.
It is understood that the AFL's general manager of legal services Andrew Dillon pursued the matter with Tim Holden, a lawyer who handles intellectual property matters for the FFA, and Munn who, 12 months ago, was the AFL's licensing and new business manager.
"My understanding from the FFA is that we have been permitted to proceed provided there is sufficient differentiation in the name to avoid any confusion," Munn said. "That if we want, just as an example, to call ourselves Melbourne Jets FC, with Jets clearly being a point of difference, then we can."
The new A-League team is expected to play in a red and white striped strip.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/heart-fc-ignites-row-with-afl-over-name/story-e6frg7mf-1225824479635
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Details
Background
The $267.5 million Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (MRS) will have capacity for over 30,000 patrons and feature a cutting edge 'bio-frame' roof design providing extensive seat coverage and excellent spectator sight lines.
When complete, the MRS will be the new home of the elite Melbourne Victory and Storm soccer and rugby teams, and will provide an outstanding training, sports medicine and administration complex.
Currently under construction on Edwin Flack Field in the Olympic Park precinct, the MRS will provide Melbourne with a purpose-built, medium-sized rectangular pitch stadium with a world class playing surface.
The MRS will include elite training facilities and office accommodation for Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory, the Melbourne Football Club, the Victorian Rugby Union, the Victorian Olympic Council, the Olympic Park Sport Medicine Centre, and Tennis Victoria.
The MRS has been designed by Cox Architects with engineering assistance from Arup and Norman Disney and Young. Grocon Constructors was awarded the contract to build the stadium.
Features
• Capacity for over 30,000 patrons
• Unique bio-frame roof featuring a spectacular LED lighting feature
• 136m x 82m rectangular pitch – accommodating rugby league, rugby union and soccer
• Sports campus including around 800sqm of elite training facilities including a gymnasium and internal athletics areas
• Four-lane 25m lap pool with additional player recovery facilities
• Office space for elite sporting teams, sporting organisations and medical
facilities including radiology and sports medicine
• 24 corporate suites with exclusive internal and external seating
• Dining room with capacity for 1,000
• Merchandising facilities, 14 food and beverage outlets and 14 bars
• Public café/bar and merchandise outlet on Olympic Boulevard
Environmental features
• Rainwater collection from roof
• Program to incorporate recycled water from the entire precinct to displace the majority of potable water usage
• Low water use fittings
• Low energy light fittings where possible
• Maximum natural ventilation and light
• Recycled building material where appropriate
• Use of low embodied energy ‘hollow core’ concrete slabs
• Plantation or recycled timber
• Efficient, low embodied energy bio-frame design, which uses 50 per cent less
steel than a typical cantilever structure
• Use of low Volatile Organic Compound carpet and paints
• Fully integrated waste management and recycling system
• Building automation system to minimise power use
• Bike storage facilities and good access to public transport
Construction
• 2,500 tonnes of steel used in the roof shell frames
• More than 26,000 sqm of cladding in the roof
• Nearly 40km of custom built aluminium framework in the roof
• Around 16km of roof guttering
• 35,000 cubic metres of concrete
• 4,000 tonnes of concrete reinforcing steel
• 1,200 workers employed on and off the site
Locally sourced materials and labour/skills
• Turf system grown in Victoria and to be supplied and installed by a
Victorian-based company
• Roof steel frames and cladding panels fabricated in Victoria and Tasmania
• Grocon Constructors is a Melbourne-based company
Timeline
Work began in late 2007 and the MRS is expected to be operational by 2010.
Awards
Winner of the Bentley Award, an international award for excellence in parametric modelling for structures
http://www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/our-projects/our-current-projects/melbourne-rectangular-stadium
The $267.5 million Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (MRS) will have capacity for over 30,000 patrons and feature a cutting edge 'bio-frame' roof design providing extensive seat coverage and excellent spectator sight lines.
When complete, the MRS will be the new home of the elite Melbourne Victory and Storm soccer and rugby teams, and will provide an outstanding training, sports medicine and administration complex.
Currently under construction on Edwin Flack Field in the Olympic Park precinct, the MRS will provide Melbourne with a purpose-built, medium-sized rectangular pitch stadium with a world class playing surface.
The MRS will include elite training facilities and office accommodation for Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory, the Melbourne Football Club, the Victorian Rugby Union, the Victorian Olympic Council, the Olympic Park Sport Medicine Centre, and Tennis Victoria.
The MRS has been designed by Cox Architects with engineering assistance from Arup and Norman Disney and Young. Grocon Constructors was awarded the contract to build the stadium.
Features
• Capacity for over 30,000 patrons
• Unique bio-frame roof featuring a spectacular LED lighting feature
• 136m x 82m rectangular pitch – accommodating rugby league, rugby union and soccer
• Sports campus including around 800sqm of elite training facilities including a gymnasium and internal athletics areas
• Four-lane 25m lap pool with additional player recovery facilities
• Office space for elite sporting teams, sporting organisations and medical
facilities including radiology and sports medicine
• 24 corporate suites with exclusive internal and external seating
• Dining room with capacity for 1,000
• Merchandising facilities, 14 food and beverage outlets and 14 bars
• Public café/bar and merchandise outlet on Olympic Boulevard
Environmental features
• Rainwater collection from roof
• Program to incorporate recycled water from the entire precinct to displace the majority of potable water usage
• Low water use fittings
• Low energy light fittings where possible
• Maximum natural ventilation and light
• Recycled building material where appropriate
• Use of low embodied energy ‘hollow core’ concrete slabs
• Plantation or recycled timber
• Efficient, low embodied energy bio-frame design, which uses 50 per cent less
steel than a typical cantilever structure
• Use of low Volatile Organic Compound carpet and paints
• Fully integrated waste management and recycling system
• Building automation system to minimise power use
• Bike storage facilities and good access to public transport
Construction
• 2,500 tonnes of steel used in the roof shell frames
• More than 26,000 sqm of cladding in the roof
• Nearly 40km of custom built aluminium framework in the roof
• Around 16km of roof guttering
• 35,000 cubic metres of concrete
• 4,000 tonnes of concrete reinforcing steel
• 1,200 workers employed on and off the site
Locally sourced materials and labour/skills
• Turf system grown in Victoria and to be supplied and installed by a
Victorian-based company
• Roof steel frames and cladding panels fabricated in Victoria and Tasmania
• Grocon Constructors is a Melbourne-based company
Timeline
Work began in late 2007 and the MRS is expected to be operational by 2010.
Awards
Winner of the Bentley Award, an international award for excellence in parametric modelling for structures
http://www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/our-projects/our-current-projects/melbourne-rectangular-stadium
Melbourne Heart to wear red-and-white strip for A-League debut
Date: January 28th 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is the A-League's newest franchise, but it is a team that wants traditional football values.
So Heart will wear a traditional home kit featuring a red-and-white striped shirt when it makes its A-League debut this year.
Although the club is yet to unveil its strip, it is set to choose the stripes, made famous by any number of overseas clubs such as Southampton of England, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao of Spain, and Estudiantes of Argentina, after also considering a white shirt and red sash.
It is believed Heart will match the stripes with red shorts and red-and-white socks, giving it a stark contrast to the bold navy blue of city rival Melbourne Victory.
The club is tight-lipped about its choice of strip although it has long been known Heart, which started as the franchise's working title and will be adopted as the official team name, will wear red and white.
"We're still working on the strip," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said yesterday.
"We've seen a few design options, but we haven't settled on anything yet. It's close, but it's not there yet."
Heart, which will make the A-League an 11-team competition next season, will unveil its club logo and declare its colours next week.
With four players under contract, several more are set to follow soon, although Central Coast Mariners defender/midfielder Dean Heffernan will delay his arrival in Melbourne after signing a loan deal with English League One club Huddersfield until the end of the season.
"He approached us about amending his contract and we're very supportive of him doing that," Munn said.
Heart, which will be coached by John van't Schip, has also signed Kristian Sarkies, Jason Hoffman and Matt Thompson.
Heart is closing in on a deal that will see it play all 14 of its home matches at the new rectangular stadium under construction on Swan St.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-heart-to-wear-red-and-white-strip-for-a-league-debut/story-e6frfg8x-1225824131608
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is the A-League's newest franchise, but it is a team that wants traditional football values.
So Heart will wear a traditional home kit featuring a red-and-white striped shirt when it makes its A-League debut this year.
Although the club is yet to unveil its strip, it is set to choose the stripes, made famous by any number of overseas clubs such as Southampton of England, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao of Spain, and Estudiantes of Argentina, after also considering a white shirt and red sash.
It is believed Heart will match the stripes with red shorts and red-and-white socks, giving it a stark contrast to the bold navy blue of city rival Melbourne Victory.
The club is tight-lipped about its choice of strip although it has long been known Heart, which started as the franchise's working title and will be adopted as the official team name, will wear red and white.
"We're still working on the strip," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said yesterday.
"We've seen a few design options, but we haven't settled on anything yet. It's close, but it's not there yet."
Heart, which will make the A-League an 11-team competition next season, will unveil its club logo and declare its colours next week.
With four players under contract, several more are set to follow soon, although Central Coast Mariners defender/midfielder Dean Heffernan will delay his arrival in Melbourne after signing a loan deal with English League One club Huddersfield until the end of the season.
"He approached us about amending his contract and we're very supportive of him doing that," Munn said.
Heart, which will be coached by John van't Schip, has also signed Kristian Sarkies, Jason Hoffman and Matt Thompson.
Heart is closing in on a deal that will see it play all 14 of its home matches at the new rectangular stadium under construction on Swan St.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/melbourne-heart-to-wear-red-and-white-strip-for-a-league-debut/story-e6frfg8x-1225824131608
Heart Stalk Stelios
Date: January 28th 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart admit Stelios Giannakopoulos is on their radar but no deal has been struck for the Greek who is set for a stint in the NSW Premier League.
Giannakopoulos, 35, is currently a target of NSW club Sydney Olympic. It's understood that the two parties have agreed in principle to a five game deal starting in late February.
A late night meeting on Wednesday thrashed out the terms of the deal but it is yet to be sanctioned by the Sydney Olympic board.
If the deal do go ahead, it means the former EPL and Euro 2004 star will be in Australia when Heart kick off their pre-season in April, and with the added benefit of five games under his belt.
Earlier this week, Heart manager John Van't Schip told the club's website visa spots would be largely used for foreign striking talent, although he did not name names.
"For the moment, we will be looking for the players upfront.
That's where our focus is, looking for players we feel can bring a little bit extra, and that is the main thing we were looking for abroad in Europe," he said.
Heart football operations manager John Didulica admitted Giannakopoulos would fit the bill at the club but said no deal was on the table just yet.
"He fits the profile and we have been tracking him. He certainly would be a player of interest," Didulica told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"His reputation precedes him so I don't think we'd need to scout him playing in Sydney if he does sign for Olympic."
Giannakopoulos ticks the boxes for Heart. He's a foreign attacking playmaker who also speaks English, has played at the highest level and will be acclimatised to Australia by April.
Didulica added that Giannakopoulos would attract a wide spread of fans and not just those of Greece.
Giannakopoulos has been released from his contract with Greek Super League club Larissa and is now on the lookout for a new deal.
The former Olympiacos attacking midfielder was one of the heroes for Greece in their 2004 European Championships triumph in Portugal and remains a fan favourite at EPL club Bolton, where he scored 20 times in 137 appearances.
Giannakopoulos last played in England for Hull City in the 2008/9 season before moving back to Greece in January last year.
In other Heart news, the club is still searching for a training and administration base with Didulica reiterating the club's desire to be based at one location.
And the club coaching staff lead by Van't Schip and assistants Ante Milicic and Jesper Olsen have now begun planning pre-season and other team issues.
Didulica added: "With the coaching team now working together, this is a tangible reminder that our first ever season is coming up this year."
For more info on Melbourne Heart, head to http://www.melbourneheartsyn.com.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121394,heart-stalk-stelios.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart admit Stelios Giannakopoulos is on their radar but no deal has been struck for the Greek who is set for a stint in the NSW Premier League.
Giannakopoulos, 35, is currently a target of NSW club Sydney Olympic. It's understood that the two parties have agreed in principle to a five game deal starting in late February.
A late night meeting on Wednesday thrashed out the terms of the deal but it is yet to be sanctioned by the Sydney Olympic board.
If the deal do go ahead, it means the former EPL and Euro 2004 star will be in Australia when Heart kick off their pre-season in April, and with the added benefit of five games under his belt.
Earlier this week, Heart manager John Van't Schip told the club's website visa spots would be largely used for foreign striking talent, although he did not name names.
"For the moment, we will be looking for the players upfront.
That's where our focus is, looking for players we feel can bring a little bit extra, and that is the main thing we were looking for abroad in Europe," he said.
Heart football operations manager John Didulica admitted Giannakopoulos would fit the bill at the club but said no deal was on the table just yet.
"He fits the profile and we have been tracking him. He certainly would be a player of interest," Didulica told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"His reputation precedes him so I don't think we'd need to scout him playing in Sydney if he does sign for Olympic."
Giannakopoulos ticks the boxes for Heart. He's a foreign attacking playmaker who also speaks English, has played at the highest level and will be acclimatised to Australia by April.
Didulica added that Giannakopoulos would attract a wide spread of fans and not just those of Greece.
Giannakopoulos has been released from his contract with Greek Super League club Larissa and is now on the lookout for a new deal.
The former Olympiacos attacking midfielder was one of the heroes for Greece in their 2004 European Championships triumph in Portugal and remains a fan favourite at EPL club Bolton, where he scored 20 times in 137 appearances.
Giannakopoulos last played in England for Hull City in the 2008/9 season before moving back to Greece in January last year.
In other Heart news, the club is still searching for a training and administration base with Didulica reiterating the club's desire to be based at one location.
And the club coaching staff lead by Van't Schip and assistants Ante Milicic and Jesper Olsen have now begun planning pre-season and other team issues.
Didulica added: "With the coaching team now working together, this is a tangible reminder that our first ever season is coming up this year."
For more info on Melbourne Heart, head to http://www.melbourneheartsyn.com.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121394,heart-stalk-stelios.aspx
Heart Want Their Own Fowler
Date: January 28th 2010
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart boss John van't Schip has highlighted tremendous Robbie Fowler as the ideal marquee model the new club hope to match when they sign their own star recruit.
It is likely to be July before Heart are able to have their squad puzzle complete but efforts are well underway to put the inaugural set up in place.
That means a mix of established stars and local talent. The Heart boss wants a strong Victorian presence in the side.
"What drives me is having results, but of course, an important aspect is to have a vision of a way to play, the vision of developing youth and helping them push into the team if possible," he said.
"I know you have to have results also but I grew up in Holland and Ajax, which is famous for its youth system, and when you have an opportunity promote younger players into the first team, it helps identify you as a club."
Developing young players with a strong link to the community in which they play is key for the Heart supremo.
"In recruiting players, we would like to sign players who the Victorian public can identify and are familiar with," he said.
But as for a star name, the club know what they are looking for, an individual with a big presence on the pitch.
The Heart boss added: "I think Robbie Fowler is a good example of the type of player who can be a success as a marquee player, and has done very well.
"I feel the people love to see the extra quality he still has, so a player of similar ability, is someone we would try to sign."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121373,heart-want-their-own-fowler.aspx
Author: Staff Writer
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart boss John van't Schip has highlighted tremendous Robbie Fowler as the ideal marquee model the new club hope to match when they sign their own star recruit.
It is likely to be July before Heart are able to have their squad puzzle complete but efforts are well underway to put the inaugural set up in place.
That means a mix of established stars and local talent. The Heart boss wants a strong Victorian presence in the side.
"What drives me is having results, but of course, an important aspect is to have a vision of a way to play, the vision of developing youth and helping them push into the team if possible," he said.
"I know you have to have results also but I grew up in Holland and Ajax, which is famous for its youth system, and when you have an opportunity promote younger players into the first team, it helps identify you as a club."
Developing young players with a strong link to the community in which they play is key for the Heart supremo.
"In recruiting players, we would like to sign players who the Victorian public can identify and are familiar with," he said.
But as for a star name, the club know what they are looking for, an individual with a big presence on the pitch.
The Heart boss added: "I think Robbie Fowler is a good example of the type of player who can be a success as a marquee player, and has done very well.
"I feel the people love to see the extra quality he still has, so a player of similar ability, is someone we would try to sign."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/121373,heart-want-their-own-fowler.aspx
Hoffman signs with Melbourne Heart
Date: January 9th 2010
Author: James Gardiner
From: The Herald
START-UP club Melbourne Heart have continued their raid on the Jets after Young Socceroos striker Jason Hoffman last night agreed to terms on a two-year deal.
Hoffman joins captain Matt Thompson, who signed a three-year deal with the new franchise last month.
Adam D'Apuzzo and Melbourne-born defender Ljubo Milicevic are also believed to be in the sights of the cashed-up Victorians.
Hoffman, who turns 20 later this month and is one of only four home-grown products at the Jets, had been in negotiations with Newcastle but said the opportunity for a fresh start was behind his decision to leave.
"I have lived in Newcastle my whole life," Hoffman said. "This is a chance for me to step out of my comfort zone and mature as a person and a player.
"Like every young footballer I want to go to Europe one day. This will test me to see if I can stand on my own two feet. Newcastle Jets have been great. They brought me up from the juniors and gave me an opportunity, but I need to move now."
One of the favourites under former coach Gary van Egmond, Hoffman has had limited opportunities this season.
He has not played first-team football since returning from the FIFA under-20 World Cup in October.
A Hamilton Olympic junior, Hoffman made his A-League debut at the age of 18.
He made 15 appearances in Newcastle's 2007-8 championship season and came off the bench in the grand final win over the Mariners.
His second season was derailed by a severe knee injury, but he bounced back in fine fashion during Newcastle's Asian Champions League campaign last year.
Hoffman scored the winning goal his first for the club in the Jets' final group game against Korean giants Ulsan Hyundai to secure the club's passage to the knockout stages of the tournament.
But his wayward finishing was a source of frustration for coaching staff and fans.
He has played 26 A-League games for the Jets but his only goals came with a brace against Wellington in a 3-2 home win in the first round of the season.
Earlier this season coach Branko Culina announced his intention to convert Hoffman to a wing-back.
Mel bourne Heart coach John van't Schip said he was impressed by Hoffman's versatility.
"Jason is a player with great capacity to improve and become a regular first eleven player in the Hyundai A-League," van't Schip said. "He is an excellent professional who works very hard, which is the sort of player that we are hoping to bring to the club."
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/hoffman-signs-with-melbourne-heart/1721208.aspx
Author: James Gardiner
From: The Herald
START-UP club Melbourne Heart have continued their raid on the Jets after Young Socceroos striker Jason Hoffman last night agreed to terms on a two-year deal.
Hoffman joins captain Matt Thompson, who signed a three-year deal with the new franchise last month.
Adam D'Apuzzo and Melbourne-born defender Ljubo Milicevic are also believed to be in the sights of the cashed-up Victorians.
Hoffman, who turns 20 later this month and is one of only four home-grown products at the Jets, had been in negotiations with Newcastle but said the opportunity for a fresh start was behind his decision to leave.
"I have lived in Newcastle my whole life," Hoffman said. "This is a chance for me to step out of my comfort zone and mature as a person and a player.
"Like every young footballer I want to go to Europe one day. This will test me to see if I can stand on my own two feet. Newcastle Jets have been great. They brought me up from the juniors and gave me an opportunity, but I need to move now."
One of the favourites under former coach Gary van Egmond, Hoffman has had limited opportunities this season.
He has not played first-team football since returning from the FIFA under-20 World Cup in October.
A Hamilton Olympic junior, Hoffman made his A-League debut at the age of 18.
He made 15 appearances in Newcastle's 2007-8 championship season and came off the bench in the grand final win over the Mariners.
His second season was derailed by a severe knee injury, but he bounced back in fine fashion during Newcastle's Asian Champions League campaign last year.
Hoffman scored the winning goal his first for the club in the Jets' final group game against Korean giants Ulsan Hyundai to secure the club's passage to the knockout stages of the tournament.
But his wayward finishing was a source of frustration for coaching staff and fans.
He has played 26 A-League games for the Jets but his only goals came with a brace against Wellington in a 3-2 home win in the first round of the season.
Earlier this season coach Branko Culina announced his intention to convert Hoffman to a wing-back.
Mel bourne Heart coach John van't Schip said he was impressed by Hoffman's versatility.
"Jason is a player with great capacity to improve and become a regular first eleven player in the Hyundai A-League," van't Schip said. "He is an excellent professional who works very hard, which is the sort of player that we are hoping to bring to the club."
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/hoffman-signs-with-melbourne-heart/1721208.aspx
Giant striker Babalj has plenty of heart
Date: December 26th 2009
Author: Lee Gaskin
From: The Canberra Times
AIS striker Eli Babalj has joined the A-League expansion club Melbourne Heart despite the institute failing to notch a win in the National Youth League this season.
Babalj is the competition's top marksman with nine goals but the AIS is still on the bottom of the table with four draws from 14 games. The 17-year-old's efforts in front of goal have seen him put pen to paper for the Heart's inaugural season in 2010-11.
''He's difficult player to mark,'' AIS coach Jan Versleijen said. ''Eli is pretty tall he's about 1.87m but he's also good with his feet.
''He has good awareness in the box and positioning to know where he needs to be.''
Babalj is quickly learning that he must add other strings to his bow if he wants to make the giant leap from Australian under-17 representative to fully-fledged professional.
''I've told Eli that to play at a higher level he needs to do more than score goals,'' Versleijen said.
''He needs to hold up the ball and help out defensively, which he has improved on.''
Babalj will be joined at the Heart by talented winger Kamar Ibrahim.
The AIS's exciting bunch of 16 and 17-year-old's have lacked composure this season, no more evident than in last week's 3-1 loss to Newcastle.
A host of silly errors saw the Jets skip away to a 3-0 advantage, but Versleijen hopes his troops are getting ever closer to that elusive win.
''The main objective of us playing in the National Youth League is to give these kids great experience, but obviously once we get that first win that will give them a lot of confidence,'' he said.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/giant-striker-babalj-has-plenty-of-heart/1713642.aspx
Author: Lee Gaskin
From: The Canberra Times
AIS striker Eli Babalj has joined the A-League expansion club Melbourne Heart despite the institute failing to notch a win in the National Youth League this season.
Babalj is the competition's top marksman with nine goals but the AIS is still on the bottom of the table with four draws from 14 games. The 17-year-old's efforts in front of goal have seen him put pen to paper for the Heart's inaugural season in 2010-11.
''He's difficult player to mark,'' AIS coach Jan Versleijen said. ''Eli is pretty tall he's about 1.87m but he's also good with his feet.
''He has good awareness in the box and positioning to know where he needs to be.''
Babalj is quickly learning that he must add other strings to his bow if he wants to make the giant leap from Australian under-17 representative to fully-fledged professional.
''I've told Eli that to play at a higher level he needs to do more than score goals,'' Versleijen said.
''He needs to hold up the ball and help out defensively, which he has improved on.''
Babalj will be joined at the Heart by talented winger Kamar Ibrahim.
The AIS's exciting bunch of 16 and 17-year-old's have lacked composure this season, no more evident than in last week's 3-1 loss to Newcastle.
A host of silly errors saw the Jets skip away to a 3-0 advantage, but Versleijen hopes his troops are getting ever closer to that elusive win.
''The main objective of us playing in the National Youth League is to give these kids great experience, but obviously once we get that first win that will give them a lot of confidence,'' he said.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/giant-striker-babalj-has-plenty-of-heart/1713642.aspx
Άγγελο Χαριστέα...ονειρεύονται στη Melbourne Heart - Angelos Charisteas… they dream in Melbourne Heart
Date: December 10th 2009
Author: Not Specified
From: Neos Kosmos.com
Τρεις ποδοσφαιριστές εξασφάλισε έως τώρα η νέα ομάδα της πόλης μας Melbourne Heart. Τους Σάρκι, Ματ Τόμσον, Χέφερναν.
Η αναζήτηση όμως δεν σταματάει, αφού στους πρώτους μήνες του νέου έτους θα πρέπει να έχει συμπληρωθεί η ομάδα των τουλάχιστον 20 παικτών που θα ξεκινήσουν την προετοιμασία.
Με τον τεχνικό της νέας ομάδας, Τζον Βαν'τ Σιπ, να βρίσκεται στην πατρίδα του Ολλανδία, από όπου συντονίζει τις ενέργειες για απόκτηση των πέντε ξένων παικτών (ήδη έχει μιλήσει με αρκετούς συμπατριώτες του), εδώ στην Αυστραλία ακούγεται όλο και πιο συχνά τελευταία το όνομα του Έλληνα διεθνή επιθετικού Άγγελου Χαριστέα, τον οποίο, σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες μας, η νέα ομάδα θέλει για σταρ παίκτη της με την οικονομική προσφορά να ανέρχεται στο ποσό του $1 εκ.
Παράγοντες της νέας ομάδας δεν επιβεβαιώνουν τον ενδιαφέρον για τον χαρισματικό επιθετικό, αλλά ούτε και το διαψεύδουν, ρίχνοντας το... μπαλάκι στον τεχνικό της ομάδας τους ο οποίος είναι και ο αρμόδιος για τις μεταγραφές.
Άλλες πληροφορίες μας αναφέρουν ότι ο Τζον βαν'τ Σιπ, έχει επικοινωνήσει ήδη με τον τεχνικό του Χαριστέα στην ομάδα του Νυρεμβέργη στη Γερμανία, από όπου είναι πολύ πιθανόν να αποδεσμευτεί, προκειμένου να συγκεντρώσει περισσότερα στοιχεία για τον διεθνή μας άσο.
Παράλληλα με την περίπτωση Χαριστέα, ανοιχτό παραμένει στην νέα ομάδα και το θέμα με τον Μαρκ Βιντούκα, τον οποίο θέλει η Heart, χωρίς όμως να είναι διατεθειμένη να πληρώσει μια... περιουσία για να τον αποκτήσει, αφού είναι γνωστό ότι βρίσκεται στη δύση της καριέρας του.
Στα υπόψη της νέας ομάδας είναι και ο βετεράνος Σοκκερού Τζόσιπ Σκόκο, ο οποίος θέλει να επιστρέψει στην Αυστραλία, αλλά το αν φορέσει ή όχι την κόκκινη φανέλα της Heart, θα εξαρτηθεί από τις οικονομικές του απαιτήσεις.
Τέλος και σε σχέση με το εξωτερικό, ο πρώην πορτιέρο της Ελλάς Μάϊκλ Πέτκοβιτς, που αναμένεται να ταξιδεύσει στην Νότια Αφρική με την εθνική, παραμένει στα υπόψη της νέας ομάδας και με αυτόν ισχύει ότι και με τον Σκόκο.
Η επιστροφή του στην Αυστραλία θα εξαρτηθεί από το πόσο λογικές είναι οι απαιτήσεις του.
Στην αντίθετη περίπτωση η νέα ομάδα θα στραφεί στη ντόπια αγορά και στην απόκτηση του 34χρονου Κλιντ Μπόλτον από την Σίδνεϊ Φ.Κ.
Πληροφορίες από το Σίδνεϊ αναφέρουν ότι η ομώνυμη ομάδα σκέπτεται να αποδεσμεύσει τον έμπειρο πορτιέρο και ήδη μιλάει με τον Λίαμ Ρέντι του Μπρίσμπαν.
Άλλοι παίκτες από την ντόπια αγορά που ενδιαφέρουν την Heart, είναι ο Σέρτζιο βαν Ντάϊκ, ο 27χρονος επιθετικός του Μπρίσμπαν, τον οποίο ο Άγγελος Ποστέκογλου δεν υπολογίζει στα μελλοντικά του σχέδια, καθώς επίσης και ο 21 ετών ταλαντούχος παίκτης της Βόρειας Κουηνσλάνδης, Ντέηβιντ Γουίλλιαμς.
Please excuse this very loose translation:
Angelos Charisteas… they dream in Melbourne Heart
Three footballers ensured until now the new team of our city Melbourne Heart. They have signed Sarkies, Thompson and Heffernan.
The search however does not stop, after in the first months of new year it should has been supplemented the team of at least 20 players that will begin the preparation.
With the technician of new team, John Van't Schip, is found in his homeland Holland, from where it coordinates already the energies for acquisition of five foreigner players (it has spoken with his enough compatriots), here in Australia is heard always more often finally the name of Greek international aggressive Angelos Charisteas, that, according to our information, the new team wants for her Star of player with the economic offer to be amounted in the sum of the $1 Mill.
Factors of new team do not confirm the interest for charismatic aggressive, but also not deny him, throwing him… small ball in the technician of their team which is also responsible for the transcriptions.
Does other information report to us that John Van't Schip, has communicated already with the technician of Charisteas in his team Nuremberg in Germany, from where it is very likely to be released, so that it assembles more elements for international us.
In step with the case Charisteas, open it remains in the new team, that wants Heart, without however she is allocated to pay a… fortune in order to it acquires him, after it is known that it is found in the west of his career.
In the into account of new team is also veteran Socceroo Josip Skoko, who wants it returns in Australia, but whether it wears or no the red vest of Heart, it will depend from his economic requirements.
Finally in relation to the outside, the former keeper of Greece Michael Petkovic, expected to travel to South Africa with national, remains in the account of the new group and this is that by Skoko.
The return to Australia will depend on how reasonable are the claims. Otherwise the new group will look at the local market and the acquisition of 34 year old Clint Bolton of Sydney FC.Information from Sydney reported that the group intends to release the experienced keeper and already is talking to Liam Reddy from Brisbane.
Other players from the local market of interest to the Heart, is Sergio Van Dijk, the 27 year old striker playing for Brisbane, whom Ange Postecoglou does not count on future plans, as well as a talented player 21 years of age from North Queensland, David Williams.
http://www.neoskosmos.com/news/el/node/5054
Author: Not Specified
From: Neos Kosmos.com
Τρεις ποδοσφαιριστές εξασφάλισε έως τώρα η νέα ομάδα της πόλης μας Melbourne Heart. Τους Σάρκι, Ματ Τόμσον, Χέφερναν.
Η αναζήτηση όμως δεν σταματάει, αφού στους πρώτους μήνες του νέου έτους θα πρέπει να έχει συμπληρωθεί η ομάδα των τουλάχιστον 20 παικτών που θα ξεκινήσουν την προετοιμασία.
Με τον τεχνικό της νέας ομάδας, Τζον Βαν'τ Σιπ, να βρίσκεται στην πατρίδα του Ολλανδία, από όπου συντονίζει τις ενέργειες για απόκτηση των πέντε ξένων παικτών (ήδη έχει μιλήσει με αρκετούς συμπατριώτες του), εδώ στην Αυστραλία ακούγεται όλο και πιο συχνά τελευταία το όνομα του Έλληνα διεθνή επιθετικού Άγγελου Χαριστέα, τον οποίο, σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες μας, η νέα ομάδα θέλει για σταρ παίκτη της με την οικονομική προσφορά να ανέρχεται στο ποσό του $1 εκ.
Παράγοντες της νέας ομάδας δεν επιβεβαιώνουν τον ενδιαφέρον για τον χαρισματικό επιθετικό, αλλά ούτε και το διαψεύδουν, ρίχνοντας το... μπαλάκι στον τεχνικό της ομάδας τους ο οποίος είναι και ο αρμόδιος για τις μεταγραφές.
Άλλες πληροφορίες μας αναφέρουν ότι ο Τζον βαν'τ Σιπ, έχει επικοινωνήσει ήδη με τον τεχνικό του Χαριστέα στην ομάδα του Νυρεμβέργη στη Γερμανία, από όπου είναι πολύ πιθανόν να αποδεσμευτεί, προκειμένου να συγκεντρώσει περισσότερα στοιχεία για τον διεθνή μας άσο.
Παράλληλα με την περίπτωση Χαριστέα, ανοιχτό παραμένει στην νέα ομάδα και το θέμα με τον Μαρκ Βιντούκα, τον οποίο θέλει η Heart, χωρίς όμως να είναι διατεθειμένη να πληρώσει μια... περιουσία για να τον αποκτήσει, αφού είναι γνωστό ότι βρίσκεται στη δύση της καριέρας του.
Στα υπόψη της νέας ομάδας είναι και ο βετεράνος Σοκκερού Τζόσιπ Σκόκο, ο οποίος θέλει να επιστρέψει στην Αυστραλία, αλλά το αν φορέσει ή όχι την κόκκινη φανέλα της Heart, θα εξαρτηθεί από τις οικονομικές του απαιτήσεις.
Τέλος και σε σχέση με το εξωτερικό, ο πρώην πορτιέρο της Ελλάς Μάϊκλ Πέτκοβιτς, που αναμένεται να ταξιδεύσει στην Νότια Αφρική με την εθνική, παραμένει στα υπόψη της νέας ομάδας και με αυτόν ισχύει ότι και με τον Σκόκο.
Η επιστροφή του στην Αυστραλία θα εξαρτηθεί από το πόσο λογικές είναι οι απαιτήσεις του.
Στην αντίθετη περίπτωση η νέα ομάδα θα στραφεί στη ντόπια αγορά και στην απόκτηση του 34χρονου Κλιντ Μπόλτον από την Σίδνεϊ Φ.Κ.
Πληροφορίες από το Σίδνεϊ αναφέρουν ότι η ομώνυμη ομάδα σκέπτεται να αποδεσμεύσει τον έμπειρο πορτιέρο και ήδη μιλάει με τον Λίαμ Ρέντι του Μπρίσμπαν.
Άλλοι παίκτες από την ντόπια αγορά που ενδιαφέρουν την Heart, είναι ο Σέρτζιο βαν Ντάϊκ, ο 27χρονος επιθετικός του Μπρίσμπαν, τον οποίο ο Άγγελος Ποστέκογλου δεν υπολογίζει στα μελλοντικά του σχέδια, καθώς επίσης και ο 21 ετών ταλαντούχος παίκτης της Βόρειας Κουηνσλάνδης, Ντέηβιντ Γουίλλιαμς.
Please excuse this very loose translation:
Angelos Charisteas… they dream in Melbourne Heart
Three footballers ensured until now the new team of our city Melbourne Heart. They have signed Sarkies, Thompson and Heffernan.
The search however does not stop, after in the first months of new year it should has been supplemented the team of at least 20 players that will begin the preparation.
With the technician of new team, John Van't Schip, is found in his homeland Holland, from where it coordinates already the energies for acquisition of five foreigner players (it has spoken with his enough compatriots), here in Australia is heard always more often finally the name of Greek international aggressive Angelos Charisteas, that, according to our information, the new team wants for her Star of player with the economic offer to be amounted in the sum of the $1 Mill.
Factors of new team do not confirm the interest for charismatic aggressive, but also not deny him, throwing him… small ball in the technician of their team which is also responsible for the transcriptions.
Does other information report to us that John Van't Schip, has communicated already with the technician of Charisteas in his team Nuremberg in Germany, from where it is very likely to be released, so that it assembles more elements for international us.
In step with the case Charisteas, open it remains in the new team, that wants Heart, without however she is allocated to pay a… fortune in order to it acquires him, after it is known that it is found in the west of his career.
In the into account of new team is also veteran Socceroo Josip Skoko, who wants it returns in Australia, but whether it wears or no the red vest of Heart, it will depend from his economic requirements.
Finally in relation to the outside, the former keeper of Greece Michael Petkovic, expected to travel to South Africa with national, remains in the account of the new group and this is that by Skoko.
The return to Australia will depend on how reasonable are the claims. Otherwise the new group will look at the local market and the acquisition of 34 year old Clint Bolton of Sydney FC.Information from Sydney reported that the group intends to release the experienced keeper and already is talking to Liam Reddy from Brisbane.
Other players from the local market of interest to the Heart, is Sergio Van Dijk, the 27 year old striker playing for Brisbane, whom Ange Postecoglou does not count on future plans, as well as a talented player 21 years of age from North Queensland, David Williams.
http://www.neoskosmos.com/news/el/node/5054
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)