User:Proberton/sandbox12

Supporters
A-League supporters were engaged early, to help name the new franchise in conjunction with the Herald Sun. van't Schip said " The supporters having an opportunity to name their football team is very special. Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased that the supporters have gone this way"

Melbourne Heart plan to introduce a new market rather than trying to fit within an existing one and applauded the Victory for its trailblazing efforts. Peter Sidwell has commented that the Heart won't explicitly target former NSL fans, but stated that:

"I think they will just see we are a club who will try to integrate a form and shape of the game that will either appeal to them or not. We haven’t got a specific policy to say we are going to go after former NSL fans. We are mindful we have to deliver a game to the people that is attractive and entertaining and brings them back, so I feel we have a more global view in that regard."

Melbourne Heart director Joe Mirabella said the aim was for a "people's club...with strong links to grass-roots soccer and community groups...The idea is to have a team for the whole Melbourne public...I believe there is still a lot of people out there that have not gone to any A-League game, football people who will come out once the new team comes out." He also intimated supporters could purchase small stakes in the club in a move that would be a first for any A-League franchise.

Supporter led initiatives began in March 2009. A forum was created to allow supporters to interact with each other. In February 2010, once the name 'Melbourne Heart' was announced, a dedicated unofficial 'Melbourne Heart Supporters Forum' was launched. On Wednesday 10th February the inaugural meeting of the 'Melbourne Heart FC Supporters Association' has held. The MHFCSA is an incorporated association dedicated to assist in the building of a fan base for Melbourne Heart and to act as the voice of the supporters to MHFC.

Supporters
A-League supporters were engaged early, to help name the new franchise in conjunction with the Herald Sun. van't Schip said " The supporters having an opportunity to name their football team is very special. Melbourne Heart was a personal favourite of mine from early on, so I'm pleased that the supporters have gone this way"

Early supporters rallied on the Melbourne Victory's forums under their own thread with the challenge "Why will you support this new franchise?" in March 2009 and on their own Facebook page. A dedicated unofficial 'Melbourne Heart supporters forum' sprang up once the Melbourne Heart name had been officially launched.

Melbourne Heart plan to introduce a new market rather than trying to fit within an existing one and applauded the Victory for its trailblazing efforts. Peter Sidwell has commented that the Heart won't explicitly target former NSL fans, but stated that:

"I think they will just see we are a club who will try to integrate a form and shape of the game that will either appeal to them or not. We haven’t got a specific policy to say we are going to go after former NSL fans. We are mindful we have to deliver a game to the people that is attractive and entertaining and brings them back, so I feel we have a more global view in that regard."

Melbourne Heart director Joe Mirabella said the aim was for a "people's club...with strong links to grass-roots soccer and community groups...The idea is to have a team for the whole Melbourne public...I believe there is still a lot of people out there that have not gone to any A-League game, football people who will come out once the new team comes out." He also intimated supporters could purchase small stakes in the club in a move that would be a first for any A-League franchise.

Paul Roberton (talk) 16:27, 26 February 2010 (UTC) --Melbheartfc (talk) 01:56, 27 February 2010 (UTC)