Melbourne City is Coming

Melbourne City is coming, and I for one am very excited about the direction of the club.  Some fans will be disenchanted, some non plused and other still unsure; but Melbourne City will be the most exciting thing that has happened to Australian football since the creation of the A-League.

Let’s face facts, Melbourne Heart wasn’t going anywhere; finishes of 8^th, 6^th, 8^th, and 10^th with a stagnant supporter base doesn’t paint a pretty picture.  We would continue to play in the shadows of Melbourne Victory, celebrate mediocrity and never become a superpower of the league.  At the completion of last season the players left AAMI Park for the final time having ‘won’ the wooden spoon and without a real direction.  Sure we displayed ‘heart’ but when we played against Brisbane, Western Sydney or Victory it was similar to watching a clash between men and boys.  Heart would win a few clashes but on the whole we would never compete on all levels.

Melbourne City provides an opportunity for fans to once again dream and look at the bigger picture, being owned by the City Football Group gives opportunities far beyond our wildest dreams.  Having the resources of Manchester City and the newly established New York City will not only opens doors, but creates something that no other club in Australia has access to.  We will not be a mini Manchester City; we will always be Melbourne.

The new signing of David Villa is beyond huge.  Words can barely do the signing justice and gives you an insight about what this club can provide to football fans in this country.  Yes, it’s only a ten game stint but wait and see what these ten games will mean to football in this country.  Personally I’ve never been a fan of these types of loans, a player shouldn’t play for barely a third of the season purely for a promotional stunt.  The change of heart (pun not intended) comes because this is a different type of scenario, this is a one off opportunity to relaunch a club and have a world class player who is still at the top of his game.

The new home strip seems like a rushed compromise to me, but also a good one for the league.  After the initial sky blue was rejected by the league (and by an ‘independent’ advisor) they were forced back to the drawing board and came up with what looks remarkably similar to the third strip used by Manchester City.  To me this was a little too ‘Manchester’ for my liking, but I know I will grow to learn and love (and buy) the strip.

Keeping the Heart home strip was not only a masterstroke by CFG but a very good football decision.  The club manage to hold on to their ‘Heart’ roots and respect the history of the club, no matter how short.  The red and white stripes are also a very smart football kit, and worn in leagues throughout the world.  I’m predicting most fans will still wear the red and white strip to the game next season, and we will have the unusual sight of more ‘away’ shirts than ‘home’ at AAMI Park.

The emblem appears to be very busy, but simple at the same time.  The explanations given through the week attempted to sell our new emblem to fans but I don’t think it has as yet.  The emblem will be sold when kissed by David Villa at the first Melbourne derby of next season when he scores the 90^th minute winner.

I have never held back my views on the club, and probably never will.  At the end of the day sport is a results business and this will ultimately what the new club will be based upon.  On Sportsbet Melbourne City are now currently favourites for next year’s title, a little premature for my liking.  The future provides City fans with exciting opportunities and endless possibilities.  The new owners don’t expect you to switch from Manchester United to City or throw your existing Heart merchandise in the trash.

At the end of the day YOU have to make your decision about Melbourne City.  If you are an existing Heart fan or currently without an ALeague club you have an incredible opportunity from this day on.  Melbourne City presents an exciting football opportunity in Australia; it would be a shame if you miss out.

#MelbourneCityIsComing

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