Do you want South Melbourne Hellas in the A-League?

[Rob]

Personally, I'd love it. :cool:

Imagion the derbies. :) :)

[ppops]

No.....................enough bloody greeks as it is! :D

[semja]

I think there should be, the only way they could enter another Melbourne team is one with an already established fanbase and ground

[Popos]

It would add some spice to a pretty bland league and personally I would like it. (It would also shut the arrogant feckers up).

That's not to say I would support, at least not now, as most A-League crowds are well above what South could expect, and it might detract from Victory's support.

I would only support it if the average A-League attendance became in the region of the NSL.

[alastair]

Personally, I'd love it. :cool:

Imagion the derbies. :) :)

Didn't know it was Friday yet Rob :)

[commando_82]

can we brink back canberra cosmos and morwell falcons awswell?
seriously thats a big step backwards, cant see another melbourne team for a while

[southfc2002]

can we brink back canberra cosmos and morwell falcons awswell?
seriously thats a big step backwards, cant see another melbourne team for a while


YOU HAVE NOIDEA DO YOU WE ARE THE BIGEST CLUB IN THIS COUNTRY out side the gay leuage

[Clint]

YOU HAVE NOIDEA DO YOU WE ARE THE BIGEST CLUB IN THIS COUNTRY out side the gay leuage

Real mature. I suppose it wouldn't be gay if South enters.

[Victory4sure]

YOU HAVE NOIDEA DO YOU WE ARE THE BIGEST CLUB IN THIS COUNTRY out side the gay leuage
So where are all your supporters? At their very best south would only average five thousand in the A-League. You think the pensioners will pay $20?

[hellas7]

So where are all your supporters? At their very best south would only average five thousand in the A-League. You think the pensioners will pay $20?

I would say the average would be 10k, every team that we play will be like a perth glory for us, we would always get over 10k for their match, the hype of playing against sydney fc, yorke combined with the marketing would tip Souths crowd around and over the 10k mark especially if the team on the park were good, not to mention the neutrals that would turn up as well as im sure victory would be playing interstate when south would be at home.

Anyway its all irrelevant as South would never be in the A league, but if we could average 5k and even 7k during 99 i think it was with basically no promotion whatsoever we would surely double those crowds as most of the people who have jumped off the team will jump on like they never left, which will almost certainly be the return of the 15 yr old mini skirts and the try hard boys trying to pick up at bjs, lol i had to add that.

Quite frankly we dont belong in the A league though.... hang on a new zealand team is in the league, maybe we do!,financially i cant see it happening for us, if it was to happen we would be forced to change our name and perhaps our colours, and im simply not for that. However its always great to dream, the passion would be incredible and the scenes would be amazing.

[Popos]

Anyway its all irrelevant as South would never be in the A league, I'm pretty sure they will, when the A-League expands to two clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, where else would the Melbourne side come from?

[hellas7]

I'm pretty sure they will, when the A-League expands to two clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, where else would the Melbourne side come from?

Lowy would rather commit suicide then add south into the national league!

[MDL]

Lowy would rather commit suicide then add south into the national league!
So would most sane Football fans!

[Popos]

Lowy would rather commit suicide then add south into the national league!
Lowy will be dead.

Uh huh.

[GunTP]

people would get killed

victory fans, specifically, would get killed

[MDL]

people would get killed

victory fans, specifically, would get killed
Yeh ok, everybody run for your life, fifty 14 year old 'Greeks' are gonna get us!

[kevin_kyle]

I just found my "record"for the first South home game from the last season of the NSL.
South got 7,000 against Brisbane.
10,000 average...no way.

[GunTP]

i guarantee you that at the first south melbourne vs melbourne victory match, 1 melbourne victory female fan will be raped by a south melbourne fan, 1 melbourne victory fan will be murdered by a south melbourne fan, there will be at least 100 assaults going both ways, and there will be 50 south melbourne fans arrested for theft/pickpocketing - either from thier own fans or from victory fans.

[MDL]

i guarantee you that at the first south melbourne vs melbourne victory match, 1 melbourne victory female fan will be raped by a south melbourne fan, 1 melbourne victory fan will be murdered by a south melbourne fan, there will be at least 100 assaults going both ways, and there will be 50 south melbourne fans arrested for theft/pickpocketing - either from thier own fans or from victory fans.
Settle down junior...you are talking absolute sh*t! Enough of the SM crap, its getting very f*ckin boring!!!!!!

[commando_82]

just have to add that the reason alot of people attended souths matches [im not one of them] is because they had no other team to support. if they wanted to watch games at the highest level it was sm - knights or nothing

[eskimo]

They shouldn't be let into the A-League, no, niether should any other ex-NSL team. Although, if the FFA were smart, they'd create a relegation system, simple as that. Letting them in would create a novelty "spice", although, a relegation system would add tension every season, aswell as allowing these teams to prove themselves in being able to perform in top flight football.

MDL, I wouldn't commit suicide, am I an insane football follower?

[MDL]

They shouldn't be let into the A-League, no, niether should any other ex-NSL team. Although, if the FFA were smart, they'd create a relegation system, simple as that. Letting them in would create a novelty "spice", although, a relegation system would add tension every season, aswell as allowing these teams to prove themselves in being able to perform in top flight football.

MDL, I wouldn't commit suicide, am I an insane football follower?
Maybe....but I suppose if you didn't do it after Istanbul you never will.

[PMHC]

Bring em in the league, who cares, i wouldnt mind belting the **** out of some Greeks (maybe reduce their Australian based population a bit)

[eskimo]

Maybe....but I suppose if you didn't do it after Istanbul you never will.

Doesn't matter, although it was heartbreaking, I know it's only a matter of months before Maldini lifts that trophy again with red and black streemers shooting up from behind. More than I can say for Liverpool -- see you, maybe, in the next 20 years or so? :)

[eskimo]

Bring em in the league, who cares, i wouldnt mind belting the **** out of some Greeks (maybe reduce their Australian based population a bit)

Yeah good luck to you, goose.

[MDL]

Doesn't matter, although it was heartbreaking, I know it's only a matter of months before Maldini lifts that trophy again with red and black streemers shooting up from behind. More than I can say for Liverpool -- see you, maybe, in the next 20 years or so? :)
Ha ha...does Maldini play for Juve now?

[MDL]

Bring em in the league, who cares, i wouldnt mind belting the **** out of some Greeks (maybe reduce their Australian based population a bit)
F*cking stupid comment, there are alot of us Greeks that are Victory fans!

[bennido]

With the 1 city 1 team rule (and I hope they keep it for many years to come), the only chance of South Melb joining is if they merge with a regional team (a la West Tigers) and base it in a regional town city like Ballarat or Bendigo.

[eskimo]

Ha ha...does Maldini play for Juve now?

Those hacks won't be winning the UCL over Milanello :)

[MDL]

Those hacks won't be winning the UCL over Milanello :)
I'll bet you 5,000,000 lire ($4.50) they do....lol

[eskimo]

Alright my friend, it's a deal :)

[hellas7]

F*cking stupid comment, there are alot of us Greeks that are Victory fans!

The funny thing is that attitude is never demonstrated to our anglo friends who support south by us evil greek boys who rape people for a living and live off murdering as GunTP will tell you all about.

Was at work last night and a lady asked me if i was into soccer, i go yea i love it, then she said how awesome are the victory, and i was like yea they are going great but im a south fan....... then she looked at me like i had done something wrong :confused: :confused:

[barro]

As soon as I read the thread, I knew straight away that it was a wind up, You cant get any more direct than the title 'Hellas' in the a-league...

Yeah I can see some great, debates arising from this one.

[bennido]

With the 1 city 1 team rule (and I hope they keep it for many years to come), the only chance of South Melb joining is if they merge with a regional team (a la West Tigers) and base it in a regional town city like Ballarat or Bendigo.

Hellas7, how do you see a move to a regional town centre ?

Would it be totally out of the question or would it be worth considering just to see a version of South Melb in the A League ?

Like in AFL, South moved to Sydney to stay alive and to have a place in the AFL. And in the NRL, Balmain merged with a country town (Campbelltown?).

[Blackmissionary]

They didn't merge with a country town. 'Campbelltown' is in the south western suburbs of Sydney, and was host to one of the founding members of the NSWRL, the Western Suburbs Magpies.

[bennido]

They didn't merge with a country town. 'Campbelltown' is in the south western suburbs of Sydney, and was host to one of the founding members of the NSWRL, the Western Suburbs Magpies.

LOL ! Shows you how much I know about NSW geography. Looks like a country town on telly though ... heehee.

Anyways, that's besides the point that I was trying to raise. Just used a bad example.

[Blackmissionary]

Fair enough, but anyway Western Suburbs merged with Balmain (another foundation club, of which there are only now 2 left out of 8, South Sydney and Sydney City or Easts, Kerry Packer's team) forming the Wests Tigers, half of the home games i think played out at Campbelltown (outer south west), and the other half at Leichardt Oval (inner west). Greg Baum wrote a brilliant piece on the day of the afl grand final which addressed Sydney's (afl's club) support, sydney sporting culture compared to melbourne, mergers and the like.

[TruBlu]

It's not a case if we want Sth Melb.
As Greg Baum stated in the Age today; "All the old factions were there — Greeks, Italians, Croats — but as one. They chanted for "Melbourne" and "Victoria". There was no hint of sectarianism"

The game is changing and changing for the good of the game.

We will forever be appreciative of the of the clubs that helped place the building blocks, Sth Melbourne Hellas, Melbourne Knights Croatia, Brunswick Juventus, Sunshine George Cross, Preston Macedonia and the list goes on. We can still support most of these clubs in the VPL.

However the public is voting with their feet, the public loves the new A-League concept, families are attending in numbers never seen before and it's for all Victorians.

Please lets put this Sth Melb issue to bed. Sth Melb were and are still a great club, won four NSL titles and represented Australia on the world stage. It's now time to say I've had my time on the big stage and it's now time for the young ones, may the game prosper.

[bennido]

While I do not support ethnic linked clubs like South Melbourne in the A League, I do understand some of the points raised especially the one about club loyalty.

Like I would not expect AFL South fans to start supporting Collingwood just because their club has moved to Sydney.

So my suggestion is if South Melb wants to be part of the A League, then why not move to unconquered territory (e.g. regional cities, Tas, ACT, etc) and set up shop there - like the Swans. Also, possibly with a merger with a local club there.

[Blinkey Bill]

I am against South Melbourne joining in the short term.

In the medium to long-term if they could broaden their supporter base, implement some structural changes, build up some goodwill, then perhaps a 5 - 10 timeframe not out of the question.

But at the moment we have to get one club right, we are a 'long, long' way off before we can sustain two.

[Michal]

So where are all your supporters? At their very best south would only average five thousand in the A-League. You think the pensioners will pay $20?


tahts right ********, even though we averages 7000 in a dying NSL with no coverage what so ever, and hey 5000 aint such a bad crowd if u look at NZ and CC

[Alistair]

No way.

It defeats the purpose of keeping ethnicity out of the game.

[Viv Richards]

The 1 team per city rule would have to change.

The MVFC concept is growing and I do believe they are an asset to the A-league.

As a SMFC supporter I would love to South be in the A-league. A great Melbourne derby is surely better then watching the NZ knights play.


I love the tribalism and the us vs them , old v new..... imagine the tension, imagine the atmosphere...

Just remember we are all here for one reason.... FOOTBALL

[Viv Richards]

No way.

It defeats the purpose of keeping ethnicity out of the game.


1. What is a NZ team doing in the Australian League?
2. Why is Brisbane Hollandia aka Queensland RoaR part of the league



Enthicity is part of the Melbourne culture and it's people.
At the end of the day your giving more of a choice for Melbournians.

[hellas7]

No way.

It defeats the purpose of keeping ethnicity out of the game.

Last time i checked we had a team from another country in our league, doesnt get anymore ethnic then that im afraid.

Also im not for south relocating, south is south, we want our team here, its always been here and thats where it will stay, just cos the afl team relocated and failed their is no reason for us to go down that path, if we make it then great, if not i wont lose much sleep over it.

[Alistair]

just cos the afl team relocated and failed

LMAO

Failed? Maybe for the initial period, but AFL support in Sydney has never been stronger.

[hellas7]

It's not a case if we want Sth Melb.
As Greg Baum stated in the Age today; "All the old factions were there — Greeks, Italians, Croats — but as one. They chanted for "Melbourne" and "Victoria". There was no hint of sectarianism"

The game is changing and changing for the good of the game.

We will forever be appreciative of the of the clubs that helped place the building blocks, Sth Melbourne Hellas, Melbourne Knights Croatia, Brunswick Juventus, Sunshine George Cross, Preston Macedonia and the list goes on. We can still support most of these clubs in the VPL.

However the public is voting with their feet, the public loves the new A-League concept, families are attending in numbers never seen before and it's for all Victorians.

Please lets put this Sth Melb issue to bed. Sth Melb were and are still a great club, won four NSL titles and represented Australia on the world stage. It's now time to say I've had my time on the big stage and it's now time for the young ones, may the game prosper.

Victory, sydney and queensland are the only sides who have people voting with their feet, the rest arent all that convincing at all, it seems to me like they couldnt give a rats about the league in new zealand, gosford and even the established cities like perth and newcastle.

Its to early to be talking about numbers at this stage, the sth issue will be irrelevant unless something drastic happends and the powers start to believe that things are going so bad that they have no choice but to include a team like south, South will only ever be in this league if it suits lowy and o'neill, would have to be at a desperate stage in other words, and i would rather that not occur because it will be pointless adding south to a league thats dying.

[bennido]

2. Why is Brisbane Hollandia aka Queensland RoaR part of the league

While Roar may have dutch origins, their supporter base is not. The Roar supporters come from all origins and is considered non-ethnic.

However, the same can't be said for most VPL clubs including SM.

[hellas7]

LMAO

Failed? Maybe for the initial period, but AFL support in Sydney has never been stronger.

Afl has nothing on rugby in sydney, all you have to do is look at their t.v ratings, plus the true south melbourne never sold out and always stuck it out no matter what, lets not get into the draft concessions and every other benefit these clowns in sydney have had over the years, if that cant get people to games nothing will, the real south melbourne doesnt get spoon fed, and thats why im happy where we are now, because looking back we achieved everything on our own without help from governing bodies.

[Popos]

Afl has nothing on rugby in sydney, all you have to do is look at their t.v ratings, plus the true south melbourne never sold out and always stuck it out no matter what, lets not get into the draft concessions and every other benefit these clowns in sydney have had over the years, if that cant get people to games nothing will, the real south melbourne doesnt get spoon fed, and thats why im happy where we are now, because looking back we achieved everything on our own without help from governing bodies.
To quote The Village People, No man does it all by himself.

[right_at_the_end]

i would rather shower in elephant piss everyday than watch that crap..

"mind you i wouldnt mind a golden shower, what do you think mr hat"

"ooohh MR HAT"

[FC-Preston-Lions]

I'd rather see Green Gully get in, they did after all win the VPL this year

[LesMurray]

I actually reckon they should let the Preston Lions into the A League ;)

[FC-Preston-Lions]

I actually reckon they should let the Preston Lions into the A League ;)
we might have if we won it

[LS 11]

Oh dear

Melbourne has just had success with a side composed of all ethnic backgrounds
Now we want to introduce a Greek club - and lest not kid ourse;ves, for all the non Greeks out there SM is predominantly a Greek club -

What does this achieve, except make it greek Vs everyone else
Why should a Greek club get in at the expense of Knights or Preston or ???

In a number of year, probably the 5 been mooted about, a second team will probably rise from Melbourne, but I really really really doubt it will be SMFC - sorry

[southfc2002]

Bring em in the league, who cares, i wouldnt mind belting the **** out of some Greeks (maybe reduce their Australian based population a bit)


It's not just Greeks who are South fans mate . Ps ''Nice name''I am going to our game on Sunday I hope I run into you

[gweeds]

My understanding is that when South Melbourne was created it was due to an amalgamation of a number of clubs.

I don't see why something like that could happen again.

Having said that I think that so far the one city-one team concept is working. There are issues with smaller centres such as Gosford and Newcastle however.

[southfc2002]

Oh dear

Melbourne has just had success with a side composed of all ethnic backgrounds
Now we want to introduce a Greek club - and lest not kid ourse;ves, for all the non Greeks out there SM is predominantly a Greek club -

What does this achieve, except make it greek Vs everyone else
Why should a Greek club get in at the expense of Knights or Preston or ???

In a number of year, probably the 5 been mooted about, a second team will probably rise from Melbourne, but I really really really doubt it will be SMFC - sorry


We can do it . All we want is a chance at the top league if all the advantages you get ''we can do well'' . .Our best crowd in the last season of the nsl was 9.000[ No Tv no marketing] . We got 11.000 ' 7.000 AND 4.500 in the VPL for the big games this season . You came to the ****tiest game all year [crowd] about 750 . And we have BJS in South Melb not out in the back blocks of Sunhine and Preston .Fair go

[LesMurray]

LS 11

When I just looked at the ladder of the Greek First Division I could not find South Melbourne there??.......are you sure they are playing in Greece?? :D

[PMHC]

we might have if we won it

that would top the league off for me...then id have to choose who to support, Preston or Melbourne hmmmmm thatd be a tough one

[LesMurray]

LS 11

......I had a further look at the Greek second or third division still....no luck...Greek amateurs maybe?

Maybe I should go the the Cypriot First Division....maybe they are a Greek Cypriot team??? If I find it I'll let you know........ :D

[PMHC]

It's not just Greeks who are South fans mate . Ps ''Nice name''I am going to our game on Sunday I hope I run into you

what a coincidence im going to

[LesMurray]

LS 11

nap no good they are not even the Cypriot first division....

Can I have some help!!! curiosity has gotten the better of me...

[conya62]

Oh dear

Melbourne has just had success with a side composed of all ethnic backgrounds
Now we want to introduce a Greek club - and lest not kid ourse;ves, for all the non Greeks out there SM is predominantly a Greek club -

What does this achieve, except make it greek Vs everyone else
Why should a Greek club get in at the expense of Knights or Preston or ???

In a number of year, probably the 5 been mooted about, a second team will probably rise from Melbourne, but I really really really doubt it will be SMFC - sorry

Last time i looked at my birth certificate it said BORN IN AUSTRALIA.
My kids were born here and my wife is also Australian.
We support an Australian club and always will.

I have no interest in Greek football or any other for that matter.
South Melbourne Soccer club was formed by an Englishman.
The Greek ties came with the merger of Hellenic,Yarra Park and South Melbourne.
The reason why the MV crowds are from different backgrounds is because they have no choice if they want to watch the game in melbourne.

Good on these true supporters of the game that are going in numbers and do not use the excuse of " I didn't feel welcome" and "There were too many ethnics" like some of you have.
Fair go mate!

[cypro]

of course they should. It would be such a sweet atmosphere at derby games!

[alastair]

Should SM be in the A-League?.........never ever.

[Richo]

I would have to say no... financially they couldn't do it.

[alex]

i'm tempted to say yes just to stop the hellas fans givin us grief and also it'd give the knights fans someone they really hate, but seriously the whole point of the new league was to avoid the old sectarian competition. we don't need a club involved in the league who is so closely aligned to any one race creed or religion, like it or not that's what smfc is.

[southfc2002]

what a coincidence im going to


Are you some Preston want be hardcore . My don't you kick off with other Gay Leuage fans like United or Syd FC . Not just wait for the GREEK back club's. ps I don't hate you becuse of backgound [preston] .I hate you for the thing you did to BJS 2002.

[PMHC]

Are you some Preston want be hardcore . My don't you kick off with other Gay Leuage fans like United or Syd FC . Not just wait for the GREEK back club's. ps I don't hate you becuse of backgound [preston] .I hate you for the thing you did to BJS 2002.

First sentence: "Are you some Preston want be hardcore" great grammar :confused: no im not a wannabe hardcore, im passionate about soccer (MV and Preston)

And yes i do dislike other fans as well, but Greek backed clubs more because of the history Preston has had with them - passion takes over

And dude i dont care if you hate me or not, i dont hate you, i hate the Greeks that hate me. Oh and you hate me for what "I" did to BJS 2002 - i got news for you man, in 2002 i was sitting in the stand with my father and uncle watching the game from there, so no i didnt DO anything to your precious BJS...get over it

As i said in my private message to you, want to talk bout this *****, do it on msn or i gave you my email if you wish to email me. Dont ruin the MV forums

[southfc2002]

Thanks for that [great grammar]. I am passionate about my clubs to [South , Arsenal ] and look mate I don't hate YOU just our club . I day one will found out for my self what Preston fans are like away from football. ps I miss the pm. I send you one back . cool

[GunTP]

i can't believe 19 people have actually voted that they want the A-League to fail, and that they want soccer/football to have no future in Australia

it's amazing that people want to hijack the game and destroy it. i really find it offensive.

[southfc2002]

You did that if the Gay Leuage ******** [hijacking and destroy thing]. Did you go to the NSL. I bet you sat at home saying WOGS WOGS and more WOG'S I AM NOT TO GOING . Have a think about it . ps You suck me in

[pao2gre]

The MLS has recently introduced an ethnic team. This team is chivas n the only reason the bid was excepted was because of the large amounts of mexicans in the city.

As we r kind of basing ourselves on the MLS i see no reason why melbourne with 800,000 Greeks (add an extra 20,000 cypriots i spose) cant have an a-league team down the track

[Garzi]

I hink South were great for soccer in this country...BUT....i would never follow a team that had supporters waving flags of an ethnic sort that i had no sense of belonging to. In the old NSL....most teams were formed fromethnic groups which is fine..i went for Marconi being italian..BUT theres no way known that i thought they should have a place in the new league.

lets appreciate the contribution that South and other teams made...cos its just not them.......but lets also recognise how much more excitement there is now with this new league and that the world game is actually on peoples lips

[Matt_TY]

Not the time for Hellas to join the A-League, methinks. Not that they could at the moment, anyway. If they were going to, the club themselves would need to start building goodwill right about... nnnnnow. At the moment, the "one team one town" concept is the best thing to happen to the sport in Australia in decades - but maybe when the league is established and successful, it may be time to expand. A lot of the Bitter Brigade seem to want the League to fail so that they will be invited in by a frantic FFA and they can "rescue" it - unfortunately, there'd be too much tension between the FFA and SMFC in any such situation for that ever to happen. The only way SMFC would ever be in the A-League is if it was a roaring success for years and they and FFA had patched up their differences by then. O'course, they'd have to keep up the success in the VPL as well.

[lankks]

Who's read that football article thread in the Melbourne Victory subforum, I think it really explains it all. South and Knight's have a history which is impossible to erase, Victory has joined us all together in some way, every race is going for the same team together. If the South's come in your only going to split the core of Victory.

[Victorious]

It's an advantage to have teams like South Melbourne, Preston, Oakleigh etc.. in the VPL as they are solid clubs with decent fan bases and good stepping stones for young kids.

Ethnic clubs are more community centered obviously and so VPL makes perfect business sense. A-league doesn't make sense for SMFC or PFC.
When there's another team from Melbourne (maybe the end of the decade) it won't be either of them. It'll be another team called Melbourne 'something' or a slight variation of it no doubt.

[bennido]

It's an advantage to have teams like South Melbourne, Preston, Oakleigh etc.. in the VPL as they are solid clubs with decent fan bases and good stepping stones for young kids.

Ethnic clubs are more community centered obviously and so VPL makes perfect business sense. A-league doesn't make sense for SMFC or PFC.
When there's another team from Melbourne (maybe the end of the decade) it won't be either of them. It'll be another team called Melbourne 'something' or a slight variation of it no doubt.

Some excellent points made there ... :)

[Garzi]

Victorius......i agree completely.

[LS 11]

For Gawds sake fellas - Ive got nothing aginst Souths at all

For one poor sentance where I said SMFC is a Greek club and not a Greek supported club

I actually dont mind Souths - will go an visit their games next season

BUT
- Why Souths and not Knights
- Why Souths and not Green Gully
- Why Souths and not a merger
- Why Souths and not a new "plasctic - as you call it" team

And yes Souths I came to the smallest crowd you had, BUT I have not held that against you as I know it was a dead rubber so to speak AND there was a more serious/important game elsewhere

Lets turn this around and have the Souths fans show why they should get in, at the expense of any other team, or a new team from scratch

[UNITED]

Not the time for Hellas to join the A-League, methinks. Not that they could at the moment, anyway. If they were going to, the club themselves would need to start building goodwill right about... nnnnnow. At the moment, the "one team one town" concept is the best thing to happen to the sport in Australia in decades - but maybe when the league is established and successful, it may be time to expand. A lot of the Bitter Brigade seem to want the League to fail so that they will be invited in by a frantic FFA and they can "rescue" it - unfortunately, there'd be too much tension between the FFA and SMFC in any such situation for that ever to happen. The only way SMFC would ever be in the A-League is if it was a roaring success for years and they and FFA had patched up their differences by then. O'course, they'd have to keep up the success in the VPL as well.

Well said.
But at the same time, Victory should be providing some goodwill.
This hasnt happened and thus a major split remains......this is detrimental to the "old world" and "new world" football.

What goodwill gestures from Victory could thaw the relationship?
Player Swaps?
Junior Development?
Ground / Office sharing?

What are some of the views out there?

[Liam]

If South Melbourne entered the A-League with in this decade, I think they should have preferance of their ex players...Vince Lia, Kristian Sarkies etc.

Also, with a capital injection from the FFA, they could market the club like MV have been marketed, and with an already good fan base and successful history, they really have no reason not to play in our league. They need to get the message across so that the club appeals to all football fans, not just the greeks. An average crowd of 10000 is a very viable goal.

[hellas7]

For Gawds sake fellas - Ive got nothing aginst Souths at all

For one poor sentance where I said SMFC is a Greek club and not a Greek supported club

I actually dont mind Souths - will go an visit their games next season

BUT
- Why Souths and not Knights
- Why Souths and not Green Gully
- Why Souths and not a merger
- Why Souths and not a new "plasctic - as you call it" team

And yes Souths I came to the smallest crowd you had, BUT I have not held that against you as I know it was a dead rubber so to speak AND there was a more serious/important game elsewhere

Lets turn this around and have the Souths fans show why they should get in, at the expense of any other team, or a new team from scratch

Knights maybe, but south has way more pulling power, especially if they were in A league.

Gully? they make central coast crowds look like old trafford, no point with a fan base of 50 ppl.

Merger between who? most clubs dont like eachother in lower levels of football.

Plastic team? simply not an option, its going to be hard enough to get all victorians to support this team let alone 2 teams, gotta think long term, good crowds for the first 3 home games isnt going to guarantee crowds for years to come as the northern spirit found out, if people like football they will go to victory, not wait 5 years for melbourne rush to be introduced!

[Alistair]

Can all the South/MV fans (if there is such a thing) answer me a question?

Hypothetically, if South Melbourne were allowed to join the A-League at some stage, would you totally abandon the Victory?

[Viv Richards]

I would, because I've only supporteed Victory for the good of the game here in Australia. My club and passion is SMFC but as a servant of football I have had to swallow my pride and support the Victory.

Every day I feel like I'm in pergatory. Have I turned my back against my beloved club or am I doing Football a favour???? It's a touchy subject...

[Lucan]

Can all the South/MV fans (if there is such a thing) answer me a question?

Hypothetically, if South Melbourne were allowed to join the A-League at some stage, would you totally abandon the Victory?


In a heartbeat. South, before all others.

[smfc81]

without a doubt...

i think youd find that South would get bigger crowds than the Victory if both teams were in the league.

p.s some of the crap thats been written in this thread about south is unbeleivable.

[LesMurray]

1 Why Souths and not Knights

- Central location of BJS

- more chance of attracting a broader range of supporters

2. Why Souths and not Green Gully

- more supporters than what GG has

- is far more well known than GG

3 Why Souths and not a merger

- South supporters would only support an SMFC in A League not any combine or merger.............

- South Melbourne Knights anyone?

4 Why Souths and not a new "plasctic - as you call it" team

- Instant rivalry for MVFC ala with Carlton

- at the end of it if the MLS has Chivas in their league, why not South......

- Ouzo 12 on tap if we get in for LS11

[UNITED]

I would, because I've only supporteed Victory for the good of the game here in Australia. My club and passion is SMFC but as a servant of football I have had to swallow my pride and support the Victory.

Every day I feel like I'm in pergatory. Have I turned my back against my beloved club or am I doing Football a favour???? It's a touchy subject...

Me Too!!! I also I feel like I'm in pergatory.

[FC-Preston-Lions]

The sooner you people realise that there is NO place for SM in the A-League the better

The club was in Administration for crying out loud last year

Attendances have dropped and the new wave of supporters are nationalistic (without having crossed any seas)

All other nationalities are quickly jumping ship

[MDL]

Who cares, its not going to happen, so move on & support OUR team!!!!

[agitator]

Can all the South/MV fans (if there is such a thing) answer me a question?

Hypothetically, if South Melbourne were allowed to join the A-League at some stage, would you totally abandon the Victory?
absolutely. forever South.

[UNITED]

The sooner you people realise that there is NO place for Preston Rainbow Political Party in the VPL the better!

The club is almost in Administration with no revenue coming from there biggest asset .....match against SMFC.

Attendances have dropped BUT ITS political and para military wing continue there nationalistic hostilities against other ethnic majorities!(without having crossed any seas)

All other nationalities are quickly jumping ship including Albanians, Bulgarians and Heidelberg supporters!

[FC-Preston-Lions]

The sooner you people realise that there is NO place for Preston Rainbow Political Party in the VPL the better!

The club is almost in Administration with no revenue coming from there biggest asset .....match against SMFC.

Attendances have dropped BUT ITS political and para military wing continue there nationalistic hostilities against other ethnic majorities!(without having crossed any seas)

All other nationalities are quickly jumping ship including Albanians, Bulgarians and Heidelberg supporters!

thank you. I rest my case. Good luck playing Kingston and Frankston next season

Carn the Victory!

[Michal]

absolutely. forever South.

im with u agitator, id definately abandon victory to go back to south, though id still be mates with the guys ive met from victory

[Michal]

No way.

It defeats the purpose of keeping ethnicity out of the game.

hmm, shame about queensland roar then.......

[MDL]

hmm, shame about queensland roar then.......
Havn't seen too many Dutch flags at their games.....

[M.R.M]

There would be some fantastic derbies between the two sides. But unlikely to happen.

[FC-Preston-Lions]

offtopic: Hypotheically speaking, if South were to be reinstated in to the national comp

Who would have the bigger attendances in Melbourne?

Victory or SMH??