Result Archive
MHFC Archive
Friday, April 30, 2010
Heart Snap Up Reds Marrone
Date: April 30th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
VERSATILE Adelaide United FC utility Michael Marrone has signed a two year deal with new Hyundai A-League club Melbourne Heart, both clubs confirmed today.
Marrone's move to the Heart comes after he initially agreed to terms with North Queensland Fury in December last year.
But with the turmoil surrounding the Townsville based club at the end of last season, in which all player contracts became null and void, the 23 year old decided to continue his career with the new Melbourne franchise.
"I decided to sign with Melbourne because it's a good opportunity," he said today. "Everything coming out of there is pretty positive with the whole setup and the players they're signing.
"I think they're doing a really good job so far,"
Heart coach John van ‘t Schip believes Marrone will provide an added, unique dimension to the Heart's inaugural squad.
"Michael impressed me greatly throughout last season with his composure on the ball and his ability to really have an influence on the match. He is very mobile but also very technical," he said.
"He has gained experience playing against some of the best teams in Asia, and even made his professional debut at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008, which is quite an achievement.
"With a player such as Michael on board, I am confident Melbourne Heart FC has built a core of youth which will ensure the Club can have a prosperous future."
Knowing Marrone's contract was coming to an end, United Coach Aurelio Vidmar said the club had done its upmost to try tp hold onto him, but that the defensive midfielder had decided to continue playing elsewhere.
"Obviously we're disappointed to lose Michael," Vidmar said.
"We made our intentions clear to Michael about staying at the club, but he wanted to leave and opted to sign with Melbourne Heart."
Winner of the inaugural Adelaide United National Youth League Most Valuable Player Award, Marrone will leave the Reds with 18 Hyundai A-League appearances to his name, as well as having started in all six of United's Group Stage matches in the club's current AFC Champions League campaign.
Marrone made his debut Adelaide United senior appearance in a 36 minute cameo against African champions Al Ahly at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, which he followed with two appearances in the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season, before he was rewarded with a senior contract.
From the time he was invited to be part of the Reds' Youth Team in 2008, Marrone is grateful to Adelaide United for the opportunities he has been given.
"When (Reds Youth Coach) Joe Mullen contacted me about the Youth League I was pretty excited and from there I got a chance to play with the first team," Marrone recalls of his time at United.
"This year I reckon I've improved the most out of any year I've played. The coaching staff and the setup here have been excellent, and I've got to thank Aurelio (Vidmar) and Phil (Stubbins) for showing faith and playing me.
"We didn't have the best season in the Hyundai A-League, but on a personal note, getting called up to the Socceroos training camp and being able to play in the Asian Champions League has been brilliant, and hopefully we can get the right result in the Round of 16."
Marrone joins midfielder Kristian Sarkies as the second Reds player to join the new Melbourne club, and Marrone will become a Heart player once the Reds have played their AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against Jeonbuk Motors at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday, May 12.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/127774,heart-snap-up-reds-marrone.aspx
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
VERSATILE Adelaide United FC utility Michael Marrone has signed a two year deal with new Hyundai A-League club Melbourne Heart, both clubs confirmed today.
Marrone's move to the Heart comes after he initially agreed to terms with North Queensland Fury in December last year.
But with the turmoil surrounding the Townsville based club at the end of last season, in which all player contracts became null and void, the 23 year old decided to continue his career with the new Melbourne franchise.
"I decided to sign with Melbourne because it's a good opportunity," he said today. "Everything coming out of there is pretty positive with the whole setup and the players they're signing.
"I think they're doing a really good job so far,"
Heart coach John van ‘t Schip believes Marrone will provide an added, unique dimension to the Heart's inaugural squad.
"Michael impressed me greatly throughout last season with his composure on the ball and his ability to really have an influence on the match. He is very mobile but also very technical," he said.
"He has gained experience playing against some of the best teams in Asia, and even made his professional debut at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008, which is quite an achievement.
"With a player such as Michael on board, I am confident Melbourne Heart FC has built a core of youth which will ensure the Club can have a prosperous future."
Knowing Marrone's contract was coming to an end, United Coach Aurelio Vidmar said the club had done its upmost to try tp hold onto him, but that the defensive midfielder had decided to continue playing elsewhere.
"Obviously we're disappointed to lose Michael," Vidmar said.
"We made our intentions clear to Michael about staying at the club, but he wanted to leave and opted to sign with Melbourne Heart."
Winner of the inaugural Adelaide United National Youth League Most Valuable Player Award, Marrone will leave the Reds with 18 Hyundai A-League appearances to his name, as well as having started in all six of United's Group Stage matches in the club's current AFC Champions League campaign.
Marrone made his debut Adelaide United senior appearance in a 36 minute cameo against African champions Al Ahly at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, which he followed with two appearances in the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season, before he was rewarded with a senior contract.
From the time he was invited to be part of the Reds' Youth Team in 2008, Marrone is grateful to Adelaide United for the opportunities he has been given.
"When (Reds Youth Coach) Joe Mullen contacted me about the Youth League I was pretty excited and from there I got a chance to play with the first team," Marrone recalls of his time at United.
"This year I reckon I've improved the most out of any year I've played. The coaching staff and the setup here have been excellent, and I've got to thank Aurelio (Vidmar) and Phil (Stubbins) for showing faith and playing me.
"We didn't have the best season in the Hyundai A-League, but on a personal note, getting called up to the Socceroos training camp and being able to play in the Asian Champions League has been brilliant, and hopefully we can get the right result in the Round of 16."
Marrone joins midfielder Kristian Sarkies as the second Reds player to join the new Melbourne club, and Marrone will become a Heart player once the Reds have played their AFC Champions League Round of 16 match against Jeonbuk Motors at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday, May 12.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/127774,heart-snap-up-reds-marrone.aspx
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Heart's Home For 'Purists'
Date: April 29th 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart will target fans they call football purists as a way of expanding, not draining, the A-League’s supporter base.
Heart CEO Scott Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com that the club's strategy of bringing in a European coach is starting to attract fans he calls "purists".
"I think we've taken some very clear steps around particularly the positioning of the footballers and John van't Schip who's put together a super coaching department," Munn said.
"Certainly the vibe I get from going to local VPL games is that they see him very much as a technical coach with a fantastic credentials.
"The purists really love the coaching department and the players are along that [same] vein. So we have to stay true to that."
While the definition of a football purist is open to debate, what is clear, says Munn, is that some fans yet to embrace the A-League may now be tempted by Heart.
As the strategy of bringing in new fans rather than robbing from Melbourne Victory is starting to unfold, a pre-season friendly with Everton could be the ideal way to boost the club's fan-base.
The VPL with former NSL clubs could also be a pipeline for new fans as the club looks to exploit all the angles to fill the expected home ground at AAMI stadium.
"We're very clear that it's not about taking from the Victory.
If we do that we haven't done anything for the game as a whole. We have to grow the game as a whole," said Munn.
"It's a club certainly that purists will like and that's important although we want to attract as many fans as we can."
Along similar lines is the football philosophy of van't Schip who says results-first isn't his style.
He says an attractive brand of football will yield results and is upbeat about Heart appearing in the A-League finals series of 2011.
"My expectations are that we are going to play a game that I would like to see played. That'll be the focus," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"A game with technical... nice touches, good passing, that's what I'll tell the boys, that'll be our goal.
"And as a result of that way of playing, the results in the A-League should come also. Not the other way around saying, 'I want results and see how we play later'.
"Hopefully that vision will bring us to a very high spot in the A-League."
This vision will be music to the ears of the FFA still reeling from the disasters up north at last season's expansion clubs Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury.
The governing body will be desperate for this franchise to capture the imagination from the start and get the turnstiles clicking.
The vision is starting to filter through to the players with key Heart midfielder Wayne Srhoj buying into the Heart philosophy.
He added: "There's a real buzz around the place.
"When you've got the calibre of players that are coming here and coaches, yeah, it's real exciting."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/127676,hearts-home-for-purists.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart will target fans they call football purists as a way of expanding, not draining, the A-League’s supporter base.
Heart CEO Scott Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com that the club's strategy of bringing in a European coach is starting to attract fans he calls "purists".
"I think we've taken some very clear steps around particularly the positioning of the footballers and John van't Schip who's put together a super coaching department," Munn said.
"Certainly the vibe I get from going to local VPL games is that they see him very much as a technical coach with a fantastic credentials.
"The purists really love the coaching department and the players are along that [same] vein. So we have to stay true to that."
While the definition of a football purist is open to debate, what is clear, says Munn, is that some fans yet to embrace the A-League may now be tempted by Heart.
As the strategy of bringing in new fans rather than robbing from Melbourne Victory is starting to unfold, a pre-season friendly with Everton could be the ideal way to boost the club's fan-base.
The VPL with former NSL clubs could also be a pipeline for new fans as the club looks to exploit all the angles to fill the expected home ground at AAMI stadium.
"We're very clear that it's not about taking from the Victory.
If we do that we haven't done anything for the game as a whole. We have to grow the game as a whole," said Munn.
"It's a club certainly that purists will like and that's important although we want to attract as many fans as we can."
Along similar lines is the football philosophy of van't Schip who says results-first isn't his style.
He says an attractive brand of football will yield results and is upbeat about Heart appearing in the A-League finals series of 2011.
"My expectations are that we are going to play a game that I would like to see played. That'll be the focus," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"A game with technical... nice touches, good passing, that's what I'll tell the boys, that'll be our goal.
"And as a result of that way of playing, the results in the A-League should come also. Not the other way around saying, 'I want results and see how we play later'.
"Hopefully that vision will bring us to a very high spot in the A-League."
This vision will be music to the ears of the FFA still reeling from the disasters up north at last season's expansion clubs Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury.
The governing body will be desperate for this franchise to capture the imagination from the start and get the turnstiles clicking.
The vision is starting to filter through to the players with key Heart midfielder Wayne Srhoj buying into the Heart philosophy.
He added: "There's a real buzz around the place.
"When you've got the calibre of players that are coming here and coaches, yeah, it's real exciting."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/127676,hearts-home-for-purists.aspx
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Marrone set to break Adelaide Fan's Hearts
Date: April 24th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Football News
Adelaide United fans favourite Michael Marrone is set to once again turn his back on the club that gave him his A-League start by signing with A-League newcomers Melbourne Heart.
Marrone had signed for North Queensland Fury but the recent change of ownership of that club allowed Marrone to escape from his contract. Adelaide fans had hoped this would give the youngster the opportunity to re-sign for Adelaide United. However, according to the Adelaide Advertiser, Marrone will sign for Melbourne Heart.
The loss of the versatile Marrone will be a big blow to Adelaide United. Further, if the move to Heart is confirmed, Adelaide United fans will have some justification to feel a little slighted by Marrone.
The Marrone transfer saga raises questions about the advice being given to young players. Already Marrone has made one mistake by signing for North Queensland Fury which he was very fortunately able to revoke. Now it appears Marrone is going to repeat the same decision to leave his hometown club where he is getting a regular game and improving with each outing to sign for an interstate club that is an unknown quantity.
In recent times too many young South Australian players have made poor career moves including high profile players Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns. Djite and Burns should have been pushing for selection in the 2010 Socceroo squad and instead both players have become the forgotten men of Australian football.
It is imperative that all young players, particularly those with agents, consider carefully the advice provided to them and remain focused on making decisions that are in their long term best interests.
http://www.footballnews.com.au/article.php?id=2944
Author: Not Specified
From: Football News
Adelaide United fans favourite Michael Marrone is set to once again turn his back on the club that gave him his A-League start by signing with A-League newcomers Melbourne Heart.
Marrone had signed for North Queensland Fury but the recent change of ownership of that club allowed Marrone to escape from his contract. Adelaide fans had hoped this would give the youngster the opportunity to re-sign for Adelaide United. However, according to the Adelaide Advertiser, Marrone will sign for Melbourne Heart.
The loss of the versatile Marrone will be a big blow to Adelaide United. Further, if the move to Heart is confirmed, Adelaide United fans will have some justification to feel a little slighted by Marrone.
The Marrone transfer saga raises questions about the advice being given to young players. Already Marrone has made one mistake by signing for North Queensland Fury which he was very fortunately able to revoke. Now it appears Marrone is going to repeat the same decision to leave his hometown club where he is getting a regular game and improving with each outing to sign for an interstate club that is an unknown quantity.
In recent times too many young South Australian players have made poor career moves including high profile players Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns. Djite and Burns should have been pushing for selection in the 2010 Socceroo squad and instead both players have become the forgotten men of Australian football.
It is imperative that all young players, particularly those with agents, consider carefully the advice provided to them and remain focused on making decisions that are in their long term best interests.
http://www.footballnews.com.au/article.php?id=2944
Friday, April 23, 2010
Heart Sign Qantas Young Socceroo Trio
Date: April 23rd 2010
Author: Melbourne Heart FC
From: MHFC Official Website
Melbourne Heart FC has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to promoting young talent by completing a triple swoop for rising teenage stars Kliment Taseski, Eli Babalj and Brendan Hamill.
The trio have each signed multi-year deals to join the club, bringing the current total of contracted players to 13, following the recent signings of Wayne Srhoj and Simon Colosimo, and also join fellow AIS graduate and Qantas Young Socceroo hopeful Kamal Ibrahim.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip said the recruitment of Babalj, Taseski and Hamill marks an important step for the club in laying the foundations of future on-field success.
“Developing talent for the future is an important responsibility of any football club. I really enjoy working with young players and I believe the signing of these youngsters is proof of our commitment to invest in Australia’s youth,” he said.
“They have all shown an immense amount of potential in the National Youth League and for the Qantas Young Socceroos, and I believe they have the perfect opportunity to build on their development.”
The Australian Institute of Sport’s leading scorer in the National Youth League with nine goals, towering forward Babalj has fast developed a reputation as one of the brightest young striking talents in the country, impressing with his composure and clinical finishing in the final third of the park.
Taseski meanwhile earned selection for the Young Socceroos on the back of excellent performances for Altona Magic in the Victorian Premier League, where he won a Championship Medal and the Jimmy Rooney Medal for being adjudged the 2009 Grand Final’s Man of the Match.
The youngest player on the Heart list at 17, Hamill arrives in Melbourne after rejecting the overtures of numerous English Premiership outfits, with the central defender instead opting to fine tune his craft under van ‘t Schip and his assistants, Jesper Olsen and Ante Milicic.
GM of Football Operations John Didulica believes the signing of the trio will assist Melbourne Heart FC in helping to build a promising future.
“Winning championships is the goal of Melbourne Heart FC. Only one team though can do that per season so we need to judge ourselves on other measures too,” he said.
“Two of those measures will be how many players we have on the international stage representing Australia and how many players we can assist fulfil their dreams of playing in the top leagues of Europe.
Hopefully, our quartet of young boys will each one day tick those two boxes.
“We would also like to thank the AIS and Altona Magic Soccer Club for their support in assisting these players work toward their goal of becoming a professional footballer.”
http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33464
Author: Melbourne Heart FC
From: MHFC Official Website
Melbourne Heart FC has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to promoting young talent by completing a triple swoop for rising teenage stars Kliment Taseski, Eli Babalj and Brendan Hamill.
The trio have each signed multi-year deals to join the club, bringing the current total of contracted players to 13, following the recent signings of Wayne Srhoj and Simon Colosimo, and also join fellow AIS graduate and Qantas Young Socceroo hopeful Kamal Ibrahim.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip said the recruitment of Babalj, Taseski and Hamill marks an important step for the club in laying the foundations of future on-field success.
“Developing talent for the future is an important responsibility of any football club. I really enjoy working with young players and I believe the signing of these youngsters is proof of our commitment to invest in Australia’s youth,” he said.
“They have all shown an immense amount of potential in the National Youth League and for the Qantas Young Socceroos, and I believe they have the perfect opportunity to build on their development.”
The Australian Institute of Sport’s leading scorer in the National Youth League with nine goals, towering forward Babalj has fast developed a reputation as one of the brightest young striking talents in the country, impressing with his composure and clinical finishing in the final third of the park.
Taseski meanwhile earned selection for the Young Socceroos on the back of excellent performances for Altona Magic in the Victorian Premier League, where he won a Championship Medal and the Jimmy Rooney Medal for being adjudged the 2009 Grand Final’s Man of the Match.
The youngest player on the Heart list at 17, Hamill arrives in Melbourne after rejecting the overtures of numerous English Premiership outfits, with the central defender instead opting to fine tune his craft under van ‘t Schip and his assistants, Jesper Olsen and Ante Milicic.
GM of Football Operations John Didulica believes the signing of the trio will assist Melbourne Heart FC in helping to build a promising future.
“Winning championships is the goal of Melbourne Heart FC. Only one team though can do that per season so we need to judge ourselves on other measures too,” he said.
“Two of those measures will be how many players we have on the international stage representing Australia and how many players we can assist fulfil their dreams of playing in the top leagues of Europe.
Hopefully, our quartet of young boys will each one day tick those two boxes.
“We would also like to thank the AIS and Altona Magic Soccer Club for their support in assisting these players work toward their goal of becoming a professional footballer.”
http://www.melbourneheartfc.com.au/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=33464
Everton friendly a possibility for new A-League club Melbourne Heart
Date: April 22nd 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is hoping to make a major splash by hosting English Premier League club Everton and Socceroo star Tim Cahill in a pre-season friendly.
Talks between Heart, preparing for its A-League debut in August, and Everton have progressed to the stage where club officials are confident the Toffees could line up at AAMI Park in mid-July.
"We've been chatting to them and it would be fantastic," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said yesterday.
"Tim Cahill is probably the hottest property at the moment and if he played it would be phenomenal for the game and for us.
"It's got to about a 50 per cent chance. Everton are keen to come here. It's just about how it ties into their pre-season schedule. They're keen to explore the situation."
It is believed Heart also had preliminary talks with Scottish giant Glasgow Celtic and Greek powerhouse Olympiakos, but the Everton option seems more likely with the club looking at a three-game tour, with other games against Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC.
"Everton, Tim Cahill, a new stadium, our guys firing ... it's a good way to kick off," Munn said.
"There would be a lot of interest in a top-level EPL club."
MELBOURNE Victory has had to cut ticket prices for Kevin Muscat's testimonial game after plans to include several well-known guest players collapsed.
Victory had hoped to have some past and/or present Socceroos play in the May 14 game between the A-League runner-up and the Come Play XI, consisting of Young Socceroos, at AAMI Park.
But when the players could not work the game into their schedules, despite their best intentions, Victory felt it only fair to fans to cut admission prices, which ranged from $31.40 to $60.40 for adults, by $10-12, bringing the cost more into line with A-League games.
A-LEAGUE clubs have received more salary cap relief. They can sign three National Youth League players to minimum wage contracts outside the cap.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/everton-friendly-a-possibility-for-new-a-league-club-melbourne-heart/story-e6frfg8x-1225856589741
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is hoping to make a major splash by hosting English Premier League club Everton and Socceroo star Tim Cahill in a pre-season friendly.
Talks between Heart, preparing for its A-League debut in August, and Everton have progressed to the stage where club officials are confident the Toffees could line up at AAMI Park in mid-July.
"We've been chatting to them and it would be fantastic," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said yesterday.
"Tim Cahill is probably the hottest property at the moment and if he played it would be phenomenal for the game and for us.
"It's got to about a 50 per cent chance. Everton are keen to come here. It's just about how it ties into their pre-season schedule. They're keen to explore the situation."
It is believed Heart also had preliminary talks with Scottish giant Glasgow Celtic and Greek powerhouse Olympiakos, but the Everton option seems more likely with the club looking at a three-game tour, with other games against Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC.
"Everton, Tim Cahill, a new stadium, our guys firing ... it's a good way to kick off," Munn said.
"There would be a lot of interest in a top-level EPL club."
MELBOURNE Victory has had to cut ticket prices for Kevin Muscat's testimonial game after plans to include several well-known guest players collapsed.
Victory had hoped to have some past and/or present Socceroos play in the May 14 game between the A-League runner-up and the Come Play XI, consisting of Young Socceroos, at AAMI Park.
But when the players could not work the game into their schedules, despite their best intentions, Victory felt it only fair to fans to cut admission prices, which ranged from $31.40 to $60.40 for adults, by $10-12, bringing the cost more into line with A-League games.
A-LEAGUE clubs have received more salary cap relief. They can sign three National Youth League players to minimum wage contracts outside the cap.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/everton-friendly-a-possibility-for-new-a-league-club-melbourne-heart/story-e6frfg8x-1225856589741
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Heart still beating as name fight ends
Date: April 22nd 2010
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
Melbourne will be able to take its second A-League team to heart, after all.
The tussle between Football Federation of Australia and the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation of Melbourne over the Melbourne Heart FC name appears to have been resolved.
The LMCF has until today to substantiate its case against the use of the name with IP Australia, the federal agency that grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs, but that appears to be a step that won't be taken with both parties yesterday talking of an imminent announcement of a compromise.
"An in-principle agreement has been reached but some of the finer detail is still being worked through. What can be said, though, is that a team by the name of Melbourne Heart FC will be competing in the competition next season," an FFA spokesman said.
Similarly, chief executive of the LMCF, Andrew Chappell, said: "I'm pleased to say we've been in talks with the FFA and Melbourne Heart and been working through the problems. It's been very positive and I expect something to be formalised quite soon."
Chappell had earlier maintained that the name of the new Melbourne A-League club was too similar to that of the LMCF's major charity for the homeless, Heart of Melbourne, for confusion not to be created.
lInter Milan snagged Barcelona's seemingly inevitable run to another Champions League crown with a resounding 3-1 win over the titleholder in the semi-final first leg yesterday (AEST).
"We have beaten the best team in the world," Inter coach Jose Mourinho said.
Pedro Rodriguez gave Barcelona the lead in the 19th minute, but Wesley Sneijder equalised before the break.
Once Maicon gave Inter the lead early in the second period the host dominated, and Diego Milito added a third with a header midway in the second half.
"Yesterday I said it was 50-50 and we saw what happened today and it isn't a dream, it is real," Mourinho said.
"We played Barcelona and we won. We have the match to come in Barcelona and I will still say it is 50-50."
However, in talking up the second leg, he said a narrow loss at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium would be worth a win anywhere else.
"We want to get to the final, but Barcelona is a great team with a great coach and great players," he said. "Losing 2-1 (there) would be a better result than our 3-1 win tonight."
As the match continued Barcelona looked tired, perhaps feeling the effects of the 725km bus trip forced by the grounding of flights across Europe following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
Inter might have to make the same arrangement for the return leg on Wednesday next week.
"I'm not a doctor so I couldn't say if the journey affected us," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "The result wasn't good and we lost the ball too often."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/heart-still-beating-as-name-fight-ends/story-e6frg7mf-1225856608734
Author: Stephen Rielly
From: The Australian
Melbourne will be able to take its second A-League team to heart, after all.
The tussle between Football Federation of Australia and the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation of Melbourne over the Melbourne Heart FC name appears to have been resolved.
The LMCF has until today to substantiate its case against the use of the name with IP Australia, the federal agency that grants rights in patents, trademarks and designs, but that appears to be a step that won't be taken with both parties yesterday talking of an imminent announcement of a compromise.
"An in-principle agreement has been reached but some of the finer detail is still being worked through. What can be said, though, is that a team by the name of Melbourne Heart FC will be competing in the competition next season," an FFA spokesman said.
Similarly, chief executive of the LMCF, Andrew Chappell, said: "I'm pleased to say we've been in talks with the FFA and Melbourne Heart and been working through the problems. It's been very positive and I expect something to be formalised quite soon."
Chappell had earlier maintained that the name of the new Melbourne A-League club was too similar to that of the LMCF's major charity for the homeless, Heart of Melbourne, for confusion not to be created.
lInter Milan snagged Barcelona's seemingly inevitable run to another Champions League crown with a resounding 3-1 win over the titleholder in the semi-final first leg yesterday (AEST).
"We have beaten the best team in the world," Inter coach Jose Mourinho said.
Pedro Rodriguez gave Barcelona the lead in the 19th minute, but Wesley Sneijder equalised before the break.
Once Maicon gave Inter the lead early in the second period the host dominated, and Diego Milito added a third with a header midway in the second half.
"Yesterday I said it was 50-50 and we saw what happened today and it isn't a dream, it is real," Mourinho said.
"We played Barcelona and we won. We have the match to come in Barcelona and I will still say it is 50-50."
However, in talking up the second leg, he said a narrow loss at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium would be worth a win anywhere else.
"We want to get to the final, but Barcelona is a great team with a great coach and great players," he said. "Losing 2-1 (there) would be a better result than our 3-1 win tonight."
As the match continued Barcelona looked tired, perhaps feeling the effects of the 725km bus trip forced by the grounding of flights across Europe following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland.
Inter might have to make the same arrangement for the return leg on Wednesday next week.
"I'm not a doctor so I couldn't say if the journey affected us," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "The result wasn't good and we lost the ball too often."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/heart-still-beating-as-name-fight-ends/story-e6frg7mf-1225856608734
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Heart In The Right Place
Date: April 20th 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: If you wanted evidence new A-League franchise Melbourne Heart has begun setting the right culture and values at their club, CEO Scott Munn’s iPhone reveals the answer.
Emailed to Munn last week were shots of two of the club's biggest on-field signings. The pair weren't at training; rather, they were mucking in to help Heart's new administrative staff move into their offices at Latrobe University.
It's all part of a pioneering spirit Munn said has filtered down from a youthful board with a bold vision. And it's rubbing off on the players and staff as the club slowly comes to life.
"I was laughing the other night I was sent pictures on my iPhone of John Aloisi and Clint [Bolton] carrying empty cardboard boxes from the administrative staff offices to the bins," Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"It's a real can-do attitude here. Five months ago we were two blokes and a girl operating out of a wine distribution centre. Before that we were operating out of a furniture shop!
"That's why there's a real camaraderie here.
You never forget that.
You can say 'I remember day one when the six of us were all in a room, coaches included'."
Munn joined the club in the first week of October to begin the arduous task of putting structures in place, hiring staff and organising a football department.
Last week marked a milestone in the club's history. Not only did players begin training at Latrobe but Heart's off-field team moved into impressive administrative offices at the University in Melbourne's Bundoora.
"Now it's coming to life," he said. "Players are training and player announcements are to be rolled out to the media, sponsors are coming on board, memberships are starting to come together, we're hiring more people so it's continually growing.
"I went home on Tuesday and saw Channel 10 news and here are the boys training and Wayne Srhoj kicking a ball around. It's like, 'it's now real... and I felt fantastic.
"You feel incredibly proud."
Munn is hiring new staff and he's picking people who fit the Heart mentality.
"They've gotta be people who can sell the message, sell the dream," he said.
"This is a dream that started with five board members who said we should have another A-League team.
They had a dream and now it's a reality and it's because of their youthful spirit it has come to life and I guess we are the ones now who are the face of that youthful spirit.
"Everyone's equal and we all have different roles to play but it doesn't matter if you're the physio or receptionist, we've all got an important role to play and unless all of us contribute, we won't reach that ultimate success."
It's early days but other A-League clubs like Gold Coast United should take note. Heart's management are leading by example and setting a culture that understands that football clubs are most importantly about people.
But the soul of the club are supporters. Munn says they'll live and die on the number of memberships, and he's targeting 7500 red and white fans signed up in season one.
With casual fans, he's aiming for season one average attendances exceeding 10,000. And with this in mind, he has paid tribute to a small group of fans who have formed the club's first active supporter base.
"It was unbelievable that on a Sunday afternoon in the off-season with a club that hadn't even started training they got close to 100 fans," he said.
"That for me is a bigger than probably signing a sponsor, people just doing it from the goodness of their hearts.
"Blokes like Bobby Norris who put their shoulder to the wheel and are doing it because they believe it's a great idea to have another football team, that's incredible"
He added: "It's love, pure love. That's unbelievable."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/127006,heart-in-the-right-place.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: If you wanted evidence new A-League franchise Melbourne Heart has begun setting the right culture and values at their club, CEO Scott Munn’s iPhone reveals the answer.
Emailed to Munn last week were shots of two of the club's biggest on-field signings. The pair weren't at training; rather, they were mucking in to help Heart's new administrative staff move into their offices at Latrobe University.
It's all part of a pioneering spirit Munn said has filtered down from a youthful board with a bold vision. And it's rubbing off on the players and staff as the club slowly comes to life.
"I was laughing the other night I was sent pictures on my iPhone of John Aloisi and Clint [Bolton] carrying empty cardboard boxes from the administrative staff offices to the bins," Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"It's a real can-do attitude here. Five months ago we were two blokes and a girl operating out of a wine distribution centre. Before that we were operating out of a furniture shop!
"That's why there's a real camaraderie here.
You never forget that.
You can say 'I remember day one when the six of us were all in a room, coaches included'."
Munn joined the club in the first week of October to begin the arduous task of putting structures in place, hiring staff and organising a football department.
Last week marked a milestone in the club's history. Not only did players begin training at Latrobe but Heart's off-field team moved into impressive administrative offices at the University in Melbourne's Bundoora.
"Now it's coming to life," he said. "Players are training and player announcements are to be rolled out to the media, sponsors are coming on board, memberships are starting to come together, we're hiring more people so it's continually growing.
"I went home on Tuesday and saw Channel 10 news and here are the boys training and Wayne Srhoj kicking a ball around. It's like, 'it's now real... and I felt fantastic.
"You feel incredibly proud."
Munn is hiring new staff and he's picking people who fit the Heart mentality.
"They've gotta be people who can sell the message, sell the dream," he said.
"This is a dream that started with five board members who said we should have another A-League team.
They had a dream and now it's a reality and it's because of their youthful spirit it has come to life and I guess we are the ones now who are the face of that youthful spirit.
"Everyone's equal and we all have different roles to play but it doesn't matter if you're the physio or receptionist, we've all got an important role to play and unless all of us contribute, we won't reach that ultimate success."
It's early days but other A-League clubs like Gold Coast United should take note. Heart's management are leading by example and setting a culture that understands that football clubs are most importantly about people.
But the soul of the club are supporters. Munn says they'll live and die on the number of memberships, and he's targeting 7500 red and white fans signed up in season one.
With casual fans, he's aiming for season one average attendances exceeding 10,000. And with this in mind, he has paid tribute to a small group of fans who have formed the club's first active supporter base.
"It was unbelievable that on a Sunday afternoon in the off-season with a club that hadn't even started training they got close to 100 fans," he said.
"That for me is a bigger than probably signing a sponsor, people just doing it from the goodness of their hearts.
"Blokes like Bobby Norris who put their shoulder to the wheel and are doing it because they believe it's a great idea to have another football team, that's incredible"
He added: "It's love, pure love. That's unbelievable."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/127006,heart-in-the-right-place.aspx
Monday, April 19, 2010
Heart: Deal Or No Deal?
Date: April 19th 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart say they can offer more to AAMI Park than any other tenant as negotiations for the A-League club’s stadium deal intensifies.
AAMI Park - the Swan St Rectangular Football Stadium dubbed "Bubble Dome" for its space-age design - is the preferred home ground of Melbourne Heart.
However protracted negotiations are yet to yield a long-term deal between the A-League franchise and stadium managers MOPT (Melbourne Olympic Parks Trust).
The new A-League club insist signing off on a deal is their number one priority over the next three to four weeks. If not successful, Heart will be forced to take their business elsewhere, most likely Etihad Stadium.
The club points out that they can offer more home games than any other tenant set to play at the 31,000 capacity stadium.
"We will bring at least 15 games [to the ground] with all the other codes playing less or like Victory playing some [games also] at Etihad," Heart CEO Scott Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"So we bring a large volume of games and we're also confident we can bring a large patronage. It's essential that we play all our games there but in saying that if it commercially doesn't stack up then we'll have to go to Etihad, we don't have any choice.
"It's tough, because we are a new club, we're looking for support. We're not looking for a different deal from any other hirers but because they're coming in with history the other franchises and codes.
"All we're saying just as they did in their formative stages is we need some support and that's what we're working with MOPT to ensure we can put in place the long-term building blocks for the viability of the club."
In the bigger picture, only an A-League club can bring the new stadium Asian-wide coverage from playing in the Asian Champions League.
In the case of Victory, Ernie Merrick's men have fallen well short in their two ACL campaigns but Heart, under former Dutch national team and Ajax Amsterdam assistant John van't Schip, could be much better placed tactically to generate success on the continental stage.
And with an excellent on-field recruiting program also in place - including Clint Bolton, Simon Colosimo, John Aloisi and Rutger Worm - Heart would surely fancy their chances of playing ACL football in the coming seasons, perhaps as early as 2012.
Like Adelaide's Hindmarsh stadium, Asia could view our teams in a real football venue rather than a converted AFL ground like Etihad if Heart's AAMI deal is finalised.
Now Munn wants some support to ensure the deal is appropriate to a new franchise's long-term viability.
He added: "It's not good if we're not around in 20 years. So the key is a stadium arrangement that ensures the long-term viability.
"That's fundamentally the principle in the negotiations."
Melbourne Victory are expected to reveal details of their new deal with AAMI Park for next season at a press conference later today.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126918,heart-deal-or-no-deal.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne Heart say they can offer more to AAMI Park than any other tenant as negotiations for the A-League club’s stadium deal intensifies.
AAMI Park - the Swan St Rectangular Football Stadium dubbed "Bubble Dome" for its space-age design - is the preferred home ground of Melbourne Heart.
However protracted negotiations are yet to yield a long-term deal between the A-League franchise and stadium managers MOPT (Melbourne Olympic Parks Trust).
The new A-League club insist signing off on a deal is their number one priority over the next three to four weeks. If not successful, Heart will be forced to take their business elsewhere, most likely Etihad Stadium.
The club points out that they can offer more home games than any other tenant set to play at the 31,000 capacity stadium.
"We will bring at least 15 games [to the ground] with all the other codes playing less or like Victory playing some [games also] at Etihad," Heart CEO Scott Munn told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"So we bring a large volume of games and we're also confident we can bring a large patronage. It's essential that we play all our games there but in saying that if it commercially doesn't stack up then we'll have to go to Etihad, we don't have any choice.
"It's tough, because we are a new club, we're looking for support. We're not looking for a different deal from any other hirers but because they're coming in with history the other franchises and codes.
"All we're saying just as they did in their formative stages is we need some support and that's what we're working with MOPT to ensure we can put in place the long-term building blocks for the viability of the club."
In the bigger picture, only an A-League club can bring the new stadium Asian-wide coverage from playing in the Asian Champions League.
In the case of Victory, Ernie Merrick's men have fallen well short in their two ACL campaigns but Heart, under former Dutch national team and Ajax Amsterdam assistant John van't Schip, could be much better placed tactically to generate success on the continental stage.
And with an excellent on-field recruiting program also in place - including Clint Bolton, Simon Colosimo, John Aloisi and Rutger Worm - Heart would surely fancy their chances of playing ACL football in the coming seasons, perhaps as early as 2012.
Like Adelaide's Hindmarsh stadium, Asia could view our teams in a real football venue rather than a converted AFL ground like Etihad if Heart's AAMI deal is finalised.
Now Munn wants some support to ensure the deal is appropriate to a new franchise's long-term viability.
He added: "It's not good if we're not around in 20 years. So the key is a stadium arrangement that ensures the long-term viability.
"That's fundamentally the principle in the negotiations."
Melbourne Victory are expected to reveal details of their new deal with AAMI Park for next season at a press conference later today.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126918,heart-deal-or-no-deal.aspx
Friday, April 16, 2010
Bolton: I've Been Reborn
Date: April 15th 2010
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Clint Bolton says he’s been recharged by his move to Melbourne Heart and his new coach John van't Schip says he's impressed by what he's seen of the former Sydney FC shotstopper
Bolton's enthusiasm was on show yesterday as van't Schip put a skeleton squad through their paces at Heart's impressive new headquarters a Latrobe University.
After just a week in the southern capital, 34 year old Bolton is buzzing.
And joining a new franchise has a pleasantly familiar feeling for the two-time grand final winner, as he explained to au.fourfourtwo.com from Heart's HQ.
"It's exciting, the start of something new," he said.
"I remember bac k in Sydney when it all started and all the buzz.
"You start with something small and you build - and we ended up with two Championships.
"I'm expecting similar things here in Melbourne with Heart.
I'm an open book, you can read me pretty easily.
It's all over my face, I'm pretty excited to be here and excited by the new challenge.
"Coming off the back of a Championship, I'm just hungry for more.
"The squad we're putting together, the coaching staff, the set-up so far.
There's no reason we can't compete in the first year and hopefully test out the teams that are there now.
"I'm excited."
His coach has liked what he's seen so far from the big Queenslander - who was put through a tough session by Heart goalkeeper coach Peter Zois.
"I hope he will be as important to us as he was at Sydney," the former Dutch national team assistant coach told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"From what I've seen so far, he's a very professional athlete and at 34 he's showing already he's eager to perform and get better.
And as a person, he's very good to have in the group."
It's a view shared by Zois who described Bolton as being physically in fantastic shape and having another crucial ingredient.
"We're really happy to see he's really hungry," the former Holland-based keeper said.
"His professionalism and consistency has been evident throughout the A-League and we're getting to see why he's got this respect on and off the field.
"He's commanding ... and he'll be crucial. You build a team from the back.
And his age is perfect for a keeper."
The popular Bolton parted company with Sydney FC after five successful seasons at Moore Park and two grand final wins.
Bolton was one of the originals who joined the club ahead of their successful season one. He left the club on a high winning the A-League grand final on March 20 - the second time in the sky blues history.
It means he's arrived at Heart in good condition with only a three week break in-between. It's given him time to focus on his new life and career in Melbourne.
Thursday's session was only the third for the newest A-League franchise and was part of an initial month of training before the squad take a break in early May.
The players return again in early June.
au.fourfourtwo.com was given a guided tour of the club's facilities at the Latrobe University campus. The training fields have room for four pitches with dressing rooms and an eating are next to the grounds.
Located a short drive from the training area within the campus are the club's administration and football operations offices, massage rooms, swimming pool, gym and café.
With the players and staff working closely together on a daily, already it's clear there is a strong camaraderie between all at the start-up venture.
And the players will look the part too when they take the park in season six with their snappy red-and-white stripes for their home kit.
What's more, a sneak peek at the club's yet to be released away kit is an early contender for best-ever A-League kit. In short, it's a stunner.
It all bodes well for the future as Bolton adjust to life down south.
He added: "My body feels fresh, as good as ever since I've been in the A-League.
And most importantly my mind's fresh and just really enjoy training and hungry for championships.
"I'm still just settling in.
I'll find a unit down St Kilda way so looking forward to that then I'll get the yoga happening, then down to the beach doing my recovery things like I was doing back in Sydney.
"I'm not gonna get a Bondi here but I think St Kilda is a nice place and it'll do the job just as well. It's about finding those little things that got me through last year."
And the Socceroo described the new Swan St stadium - the proposed Heart home venue that's still being negotiated - as being having a European feel.
"It's like Bayern's stadium," he said. "I can't wait to see it at night when it's lit up, it'll be amazing to play in.
"Just imagine the first game against Victory... Those are the games you want to play in, the big games, like Victory at Etihad, the finals, theyr'e the ones I play for.
"To get that in a derby in the regular season will be exciting."
And as for returning to play in front of the Cove, Bolton wasn't expecting the home fans to go easy on him.
He added: "I'd expect them to give me stick just like any away team.
"But I love that, copping that stuff, it galvanises me, steels me, it gives me that edge and I just want to beat them just that more.
"I expect that and hope for that... everyone moves on and I've moved on. I'm Melbourne Heart now and Sydney's a memory now.
"I'll look back when I'm retired and be happy with what I achieved there but now it's all about the Heart and I just wish the season was here right now."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126755,bolton-ive-been-reborn.aspx
Author: Aidan Ormond
From: Four Four Two Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Clint Bolton says he’s been recharged by his move to Melbourne Heart and his new coach John van't Schip says he's impressed by what he's seen of the former Sydney FC shotstopper
Bolton's enthusiasm was on show yesterday as van't Schip put a skeleton squad through their paces at Heart's impressive new headquarters a Latrobe University.
After just a week in the southern capital, 34 year old Bolton is buzzing.
And joining a new franchise has a pleasantly familiar feeling for the two-time grand final winner, as he explained to au.fourfourtwo.com from Heart's HQ.
"It's exciting, the start of something new," he said.
"I remember bac k in Sydney when it all started and all the buzz.
"You start with something small and you build - and we ended up with two Championships.
"I'm expecting similar things here in Melbourne with Heart.
I'm an open book, you can read me pretty easily.
It's all over my face, I'm pretty excited to be here and excited by the new challenge.
"Coming off the back of a Championship, I'm just hungry for more.
"The squad we're putting together, the coaching staff, the set-up so far.
There's no reason we can't compete in the first year and hopefully test out the teams that are there now.
"I'm excited."
His coach has liked what he's seen so far from the big Queenslander - who was put through a tough session by Heart goalkeeper coach Peter Zois.
"I hope he will be as important to us as he was at Sydney," the former Dutch national team assistant coach told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"From what I've seen so far, he's a very professional athlete and at 34 he's showing already he's eager to perform and get better.
And as a person, he's very good to have in the group."
It's a view shared by Zois who described Bolton as being physically in fantastic shape and having another crucial ingredient.
"We're really happy to see he's really hungry," the former Holland-based keeper said.
"His professionalism and consistency has been evident throughout the A-League and we're getting to see why he's got this respect on and off the field.
"He's commanding ... and he'll be crucial. You build a team from the back.
And his age is perfect for a keeper."
The popular Bolton parted company with Sydney FC after five successful seasons at Moore Park and two grand final wins.
Bolton was one of the originals who joined the club ahead of their successful season one. He left the club on a high winning the A-League grand final on March 20 - the second time in the sky blues history.
It means he's arrived at Heart in good condition with only a three week break in-between. It's given him time to focus on his new life and career in Melbourne.
Thursday's session was only the third for the newest A-League franchise and was part of an initial month of training before the squad take a break in early May.
The players return again in early June.
au.fourfourtwo.com was given a guided tour of the club's facilities at the Latrobe University campus. The training fields have room for four pitches with dressing rooms and an eating are next to the grounds.
Located a short drive from the training area within the campus are the club's administration and football operations offices, massage rooms, swimming pool, gym and café.
With the players and staff working closely together on a daily, already it's clear there is a strong camaraderie between all at the start-up venture.
And the players will look the part too when they take the park in season six with their snappy red-and-white stripes for their home kit.
What's more, a sneak peek at the club's yet to be released away kit is an early contender for best-ever A-League kit. In short, it's a stunner.
It all bodes well for the future as Bolton adjust to life down south.
He added: "My body feels fresh, as good as ever since I've been in the A-League.
And most importantly my mind's fresh and just really enjoy training and hungry for championships.
"I'm still just settling in.
I'll find a unit down St Kilda way so looking forward to that then I'll get the yoga happening, then down to the beach doing my recovery things like I was doing back in Sydney.
"I'm not gonna get a Bondi here but I think St Kilda is a nice place and it'll do the job just as well. It's about finding those little things that got me through last year."
And the Socceroo described the new Swan St stadium - the proposed Heart home venue that's still being negotiated - as being having a European feel.
"It's like Bayern's stadium," he said. "I can't wait to see it at night when it's lit up, it'll be amazing to play in.
"Just imagine the first game against Victory... Those are the games you want to play in, the big games, like Victory at Etihad, the finals, theyr'e the ones I play for.
"To get that in a derby in the regular season will be exciting."
And as for returning to play in front of the Cove, Bolton wasn't expecting the home fans to go easy on him.
He added: "I'd expect them to give me stick just like any away team.
"But I love that, copping that stuff, it galvanises me, steels me, it gives me that edge and I just want to beat them just that more.
"I expect that and hope for that... everyone moves on and I've moved on. I'm Melbourne Heart now and Sydney's a memory now.
"I'll look back when I'm retired and be happy with what I achieved there but now it's all about the Heart and I just wish the season was here right now."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126755,bolton-ive-been-reborn.aspx
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Double Boost For Colosimo
Date: April 13th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
WORLD Cup hopeful Simon Colosimo has received a double boost with a first taste of action for AZ Alkmaar and an award for his end of season efforts at Sydney FC.
Melbourne Heart coach John van't Schipp secured a training place for Colosimo with the Dutch Eredivisie side in a bid to keep his World Cup hopes alight by staying in shape ahead of the tournament.
He made his debut in the reserves side at the weekend while the PFA today revealed Colosimo's tireless role in defence for Sydney FC at the end of last season had earned him the player of the month award for March.
"I am very excited to be March's nomination knowing that I now have a good chance of being a nomination for the PFA Footballer of the Year Award," said Colosimo.
"For me, the PFA Footballer of the Year Award is the ultimate accolade in Australian football as it is voted on by the players' fellow professionals whom play with and against each other week-in and week-out.
"You cannot get a more prestigious award than that. I also must say that I am humbled by this monthly award, particularly given the people on the PFA Awards Committee."
Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Mitch Langerak was named young player of the month for March.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126508,double-boost-for-colosimo.aspx
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
WORLD Cup hopeful Simon Colosimo has received a double boost with a first taste of action for AZ Alkmaar and an award for his end of season efforts at Sydney FC.
Melbourne Heart coach John van't Schipp secured a training place for Colosimo with the Dutch Eredivisie side in a bid to keep his World Cup hopes alight by staying in shape ahead of the tournament.
He made his debut in the reserves side at the weekend while the PFA today revealed Colosimo's tireless role in defence for Sydney FC at the end of last season had earned him the player of the month award for March.
"I am very excited to be March's nomination knowing that I now have a good chance of being a nomination for the PFA Footballer of the Year Award," said Colosimo.
"For me, the PFA Footballer of the Year Award is the ultimate accolade in Australian football as it is voted on by the players' fellow professionals whom play with and against each other week-in and week-out.
"You cannot get a more prestigious award than that. I also must say that I am humbled by this monthly award, particularly given the people on the PFA Awards Committee."
Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Mitch Langerak was named young player of the month for March.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126508,double-boost-for-colosimo.aspx
Heart Pick Up Perth's Srhoj
Date: April 13th 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have picked up former Perth Glory's Wayne Srhoj as the latest addition to their squad in the build up to their debut season.
Srhoj has signed a multi-year deal and is poised to commence training with the club's inaugural squad at La Trobe University this week.
The club has hailed the 28-year-old as 'one of the Hyundai A-League's most gifted technicians'.
Making 20 appearances last season, Srhoj proved to be a barometer of Glory's performance, impressing with his vision, passing range and ability to assert his authority in the middle of the park.
Head Coach John van 't Schip said the club was thrilled to have secured Srhoj's services for next season and beyond.
"Wayne is an excellent footballer who is perfectly suited to the style of football I hope to promote during the upcoming Hyundai A-League season," he said.
"There are very few players in Australia who share Wayne's vision, creativity and on-ball ability, and I have no doubt his presence will be a massive boost for our club moving forward.
"Wayne has the quality to be an international player. It's our job now to work hard together to take his game to the level it can be."
Srhoj's undoubted skills were evident when he captained the Qantas Young Socceroos during their 2001 FIFA U/20 World Cup campaign, where the side reached the second round before falling to the might of Brazil, featuring former World Player of the Year Kaka.
The Queenslander was also a member of the renowned 1999 Qantas Joeys outfit which reached the final of FIFA U/17 World Cup against Brazil only to lose on penalties, becoming the most successful Australian side to compete in any FIFA event.
A veteran of two National Soccer League Championships with Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory earlier in the decade, Srhoj returned to Australia in 2008 following a four-year stint in Europe, where he played for FC National Bucharest and FC Politehnica Timisoara.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126518,heart-pick-up-perths-srhoj.aspx
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart have picked up former Perth Glory's Wayne Srhoj as the latest addition to their squad in the build up to their debut season.
Srhoj has signed a multi-year deal and is poised to commence training with the club's inaugural squad at La Trobe University this week.
The club has hailed the 28-year-old as 'one of the Hyundai A-League's most gifted technicians'.
Making 20 appearances last season, Srhoj proved to be a barometer of Glory's performance, impressing with his vision, passing range and ability to assert his authority in the middle of the park.
Head Coach John van 't Schip said the club was thrilled to have secured Srhoj's services for next season and beyond.
"Wayne is an excellent footballer who is perfectly suited to the style of football I hope to promote during the upcoming Hyundai A-League season," he said.
"There are very few players in Australia who share Wayne's vision, creativity and on-ball ability, and I have no doubt his presence will be a massive boost for our club moving forward.
"Wayne has the quality to be an international player. It's our job now to work hard together to take his game to the level it can be."
Srhoj's undoubted skills were evident when he captained the Qantas Young Socceroos during their 2001 FIFA U/20 World Cup campaign, where the side reached the second round before falling to the might of Brazil, featuring former World Player of the Year Kaka.
The Queenslander was also a member of the renowned 1999 Qantas Joeys outfit which reached the final of FIFA U/17 World Cup against Brazil only to lose on penalties, becoming the most successful Australian side to compete in any FIFA event.
A veteran of two National Soccer League Championships with Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory earlier in the decade, Srhoj returned to Australia in 2008 following a four-year stint in Europe, where he played for FC National Bucharest and FC Politehnica Timisoara.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/126518,heart-pick-up-perths-srhoj.aspx
Heart signs Wayne Srhoj, closes on Josip Skoko
Date: April 13th 2010
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is close to finalising a deal to bring former Socceroo Josip Skoko home to finish his career.
Heart will announce the signing of Perth Glory midfielder Wayne Srhoj, while negotiations are advanced with Argentine and Brazilian attacking players identified during coach John van't Schip's recent scouting trip to South America.
But the signature of Skoko, who is playing for Croatian club Hajduk Split, is the one Heart covets, adding his skill and experience to a squad that includes John Aloisi, Clint Bolton, Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson, Dean Heffernan and now Srhoj.
"We're close," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said of Skoko, who has played in Belgium, England and Turkey and won 51 Socceroos caps.
"He's still playing in Croatia and he's focused on that."
Srhoj has played 36 games in the past two seasons for Perth and Heart will be looking for him to command a key midfield role with Skoko and Thompson.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory is hoping midfielders Carlos Hernandez and Nick Ward will be fit for tomorrow night's Asian Champions League game against Beijing Guoan at Etihad Stadium.
The pair missed training yesterday with a virus.
"There's been a virus going through the team and they should be right tomorrow," coach Ernie Merrick said yesterday. "They've had the weekend and today off, so we're hoping they're going to be OK."
While Hernandez and Ward will be monitored, it seems almost certain veteran midfielders Grant Brebner and Tom Pondeljak will miss the must-win game against Beijing because of hamstring problems.
"They're close and they're both desperate to play," Merrick said.
"But they're in their 30s and there's a risk of tearing it again, so we'll probably err on the side of caution."
After losing the first three games of its Champions League campaign, Victory salvaged its chances of reaching the knockout phase by beating Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 a fortnight ago at Docklands.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/heart-signs-wayne-srhoj-closes-on-josip-skoko/story-e6frfg8x-1225852912331
Author: Grantley Bernard
From: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE Heart is close to finalising a deal to bring former Socceroo Josip Skoko home to finish his career.
Heart will announce the signing of Perth Glory midfielder Wayne Srhoj, while negotiations are advanced with Argentine and Brazilian attacking players identified during coach John van't Schip's recent scouting trip to South America.
But the signature of Skoko, who is playing for Croatian club Hajduk Split, is the one Heart covets, adding his skill and experience to a squad that includes John Aloisi, Clint Bolton, Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson, Dean Heffernan and now Srhoj.
"We're close," Heart chief executive Scott Munn said of Skoko, who has played in Belgium, England and Turkey and won 51 Socceroos caps.
"He's still playing in Croatia and he's focused on that."
Srhoj has played 36 games in the past two seasons for Perth and Heart will be looking for him to command a key midfield role with Skoko and Thompson.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory is hoping midfielders Carlos Hernandez and Nick Ward will be fit for tomorrow night's Asian Champions League game against Beijing Guoan at Etihad Stadium.
The pair missed training yesterday with a virus.
"There's been a virus going through the team and they should be right tomorrow," coach Ernie Merrick said yesterday. "They've had the weekend and today off, so we're hoping they're going to be OK."
While Hernandez and Ward will be monitored, it seems almost certain veteran midfielders Grant Brebner and Tom Pondeljak will miss the must-win game against Beijing because of hamstring problems.
"They're close and they're both desperate to play," Merrick said.
"But they're in their 30s and there's a risk of tearing it again, so we'll probably err on the side of caution."
After losing the first three games of its Champions League campaign, Victory salvaged its chances of reaching the knockout phase by beating Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 a fortnight ago at Docklands.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/heart-signs-wayne-srhoj-closes-on-josip-skoko/story-e6frfg8x-1225852912331
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Another Big Move For Heart
Date: April 1st 2010
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart's squad will assemble for their first training session next week with the club announcing today that its base will be the Bundoora campus of the city's La Trobe University.
Chief Executive Officer Scott Munn revealed the club is excited to confirm its partnership with La Trobe University, saying the agreement marks an important step in Melbourne Heart FC history.
"As a football club, there were a number of criteria which we considered to be of paramount importance when canvassing the options for the location of our training base," he said.
"Most important of which was an ability to house both administrative and training arms of our club as well as provide ample access to various support services, including conditioning and medical facilities.
"We are thrilled to have established this partnership with La Trobe and hope to reveal more details of the enormity and magnitude of this very significant alliance in the coming weeks."
La Trobe University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson welcomed the announcement.
"This partnership between La Trobe University and Melbourne Heart supports our strategy to engage with our communities in the northern suburbs of Melbourne," he said.
"La Trobe has played the key role in securing Melbourne Heart's move to our region and we warmly welcome them as part of our University community.
"We will upgrade our sports facilities and work with Melbourne Heart to achieve excellence. I am thrilled with the potential benefits La Trobe students will receive with Melbourne Heart on campus."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/125711,another-big-move-for-heart.aspx
Author: Not Specified
From: Four Four Two Australia
MELBOURNE Heart's squad will assemble for their first training session next week with the club announcing today that its base will be the Bundoora campus of the city's La Trobe University.
Chief Executive Officer Scott Munn revealed the club is excited to confirm its partnership with La Trobe University, saying the agreement marks an important step in Melbourne Heart FC history.
"As a football club, there were a number of criteria which we considered to be of paramount importance when canvassing the options for the location of our training base," he said.
"Most important of which was an ability to house both administrative and training arms of our club as well as provide ample access to various support services, including conditioning and medical facilities.
"We are thrilled to have established this partnership with La Trobe and hope to reveal more details of the enormity and magnitude of this very significant alliance in the coming weeks."
La Trobe University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson welcomed the announcement.
"This partnership between La Trobe University and Melbourne Heart supports our strategy to engage with our communities in the northern suburbs of Melbourne," he said.
"La Trobe has played the key role in securing Melbourne Heart's move to our region and we warmly welcome them as part of our University community.
"We will upgrade our sports facilities and work with Melbourne Heart to achieve excellence. I am thrilled with the potential benefits La Trobe students will receive with Melbourne Heart on campus."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/125711,another-big-move-for-heart.aspx
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