Supporter’s Interview, Part 1: Cala
In the first of a series of interviews with prominent supporters of Melbourne Victory, today we talk to “Cala”, the (lesser known, and he likes it like that) co-founder of the Blue and White Brigade.
Hi Cala, thanks for taking the time to be interviewed.
1. Firstly, How did the BWB start and who started it?
BWB began way back in the pre season cup prior to season one. I was with a group of friends at the Melbourne Vs Perth pre-season game and we were sitting in the stands. We noticed the Union behind the goals and after the game were at a pub and got talking about starting a second group to work along side the Union.
During that week myself and Tunna (Cala’s good mate and other co-founder of the BWB) continued to discuss the possibility of creating a new group. We contacted some mates and recieved a lot of interest.
The rest is history. We created the group and it continued to grow from there.
2. What’s your role in the BWB?
To be quite honest, my role in the BWB has taken a backward step over the past year or so due to personal reasons. I am a member of the ‘core’ group and very much involved in decision making, however I am the first to admit that certain other members of the core and BWB Youth have continued to put in a hell of a lot of work over the past year and continue to keep it strong.
3. How has it evolved from the start to the present day?
In the Blue & White Brigade opinion, there are 4 elements that need to be individually measured as to whether BWB (the community) has evolved or not.
They are:
1) BWB’s physical numbers
2) BWB’s mentality
3) BWB’s active contribution to the football scene &
4) BWB Youth
In terms of numbers BWB’s membership and core membership has in 3 seasons gone from something quite small and innocent to excessively quite large and un-manageable to present day, compact & committed.
Call it evolution or self-preservation the consolidation of numbers, has allowed for a solid likeminded foundation to be forged, something unachievable when the core group numbered 30 odd.
In terms of mentality, the members of BWB and indeed the whole home-end community are more wary of the media and the football decisions made in this country and how they impact on ‘active support’. The battles that have been fought has made everyone realize that supporting football is no easy feat and the line between supporting the club and supporting the players is constantly (almost weekly) being reviewed and defined.
While organised tifos were not a feature of season 3 (due in part to the 3 month supporter’s rights campaign), in terms of active contribution, BWB or the terrace has never been more organised or active. BWB has participated & stood by loyally to every agreed ’supporter’s rights’ campaign initiative.
It has never shyed away from putting the BWB name behind every decision/discussion raised formally with the club, TD management and VICPOL. As a result BWB is a key player in contributing to the ‘direction of active support’ and remains as a established representative link between supporters and the club.
The establishment of the BWB Youth has clearly added to the BWB brand and due in part to its Capo is one of the positives of BWB’s short history. Again, compact & committed, the BWB Youth are highly organized and have demonstrated on numerous occasions that its core base is clearly prepared to take the BWB brand to the next level.
4. Why did you change the original name from “Blue and White Fighters” to the “Blue and White Brigade”?
Oh the memories. We were throwing around some names for our new group and narrowed it down to two. ‘Blue and White Brigade ‘ and ‘Blue and White Fighters’.
We actually chose ‘Blue and White Fighters’ initially, and released it on the Melbourne Victory.net forum and to some respected mates in other crews on the terrace.
We got a fair amount of negative responses , as many people felt the word ‘Fighters’ had a stigma of hooliganism, which wouldn’t go down well with the new league and what it was trying to achieve. We thought about it and agreed, but were not too fussed to run with ‘Brigade’ as it was a very close decision in the first place.
5. How many members do the BWB have?
Depend what you class as members. If you mean core and BWB Youth then 40 or so.
6. What are the main members roles?
1. Match-day capo
2. Contributing/Publishing/Printing/Distributing match-day fanzine
3. Club/Stadium liaison
4. Inter-crew liaison
5. Funding/merchandise
6. Content management of website
7. Tifo committee
8. Away game bus (new)
7. What would you say the core ideals of the BWB are?
1) Mateship
2) Enjoyment
3) Creating a style of support that lifts the players out on the park
4) Supporting Rights
5) To be the most pro-active supporter group in the country
8. Personally, what’s been your favorite moment as a core member of the BWB?
For me personally, it would be the protest at Olympic Park against the Herald Sun, 3aw and Channel 9. For one day I felt that the whole stadium and football supporters in general had bound together to take a stand at the bullshit we have to read and hear from various sources of media. There was a sense of accomplishment and unity, and I wish we would experience this a lot more in the future.
9. What are your thoughts about the way the club is run and how the BWB interacts with the club?
BWB does not agree with the way certain parts of the club are run, especially its Football department who I personally think should be dispensed with completely and some new figures employed.
To an extent, BWB thinks the club has lost touch with its fan base, which is not helped by the chairman continually using business jargon in his addresses to the press.
BWB’s relationship with the club, is ok but still has some way to go. The Blue & White Brigade have always had some form of relationship since the day it came to being. There has always been open dialogue which has at times been of mutual benefit. There have also been times when the Blue & White Brigade have locked horns but the results at the end of the day have assisted in meeting our progressive needs and allowing us the autonomy to do what we do.
There still are some underlying issues which need to be ironed out but the Blue & White Brigade is confident that it will reach this point with time and persistence.
BWB are the leaders in breaking down the barriers. While this process can be highly frustrating at times, it is for the greater good of all Football supporters.
10. If people are interested in joining the BWB, how would they go about it?
The only way you can join the BWB at the moment is if you are recommended by another BWB Core or Youth member. The group will then decide on a yes or no. It is invite only.
11. Where does the BWB take its supporting culture from? Is it based purely on the Italian ultras or is it more diverse than that?
I would say a mix. We are definitely influenced in some way by the Italian Ultra scene, but that is more to do with choreography and chants and supporter rights, rather than the violent side we are witnessing these days. I would say we are trying to mix the traditional European style support into the new Australian football scene. It takes time and is a learning process, however I think we are on the right track.
12. Where do you see the future for the BWB?
For the Blue & White Brigade to continue to be an integral part of the active scene here in Melbourne.
Personal Profile:
Name: Cala
Nickname and why? Cala. It’s an abbreviation of my surname.
Age: 28
Favourite club outside Australia? AC Milan
Favourite Supporters group outside of Australia and why?
Was Fossa Dei Leoni (AC Milan) however they have disbanded a few years ago. Their tifo and coreogoraphy was second to none in my opinion, and having seen Milan live a fair few times at the San Siro, it has always remained in my memory.
Favourite player of all time and why?
Franco Baresi. He was my idol as a child and the reason I play as a defender. A class player and a true gentleman. If you get a chance , read his life story and the heartache he went through as a child losing both his parents at a young age.
Favourite Victory player of all time and why?
It would have to be Geoffrey Claeys. For some reason I am attached to the team from season 1, and Sir Geoff was always a gentleman and would remember our names and stop to have a chat whenever he came across us.
Most hated A-League team and why?
Sydney and Adelaide for obvious reasons.
Merrick. Love him or hate him?
As a person, no issue. However I would say I ‘dislike’ his tactics, recruitment and decision making.
Where will Victory finish in V4 of the A-League?
Based on our current squad, I would say 4th or 5th. I think we need to recruit some quality players.
Thanks for the great interview Cala.
For more information about the BWB please visit their website www.bluewhitebrigade.com



Leandro Love and Steve Panteledis are the new inclusions in the 16 man Melbourne Victory squad that is to face Perth Glory at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night for the Round 2 fixture.
The 21-year-old joins the Cottagers from A-League club Melbourne Victory with a undisclosed transfer fee. With rumours pointing to anything between $AU500,000 to $AU1.2 Million.