Ciao Farewell Goodbye (CFG)
When the City Football Group (CFG) completed their takeover of Melbourne Heart they not only ensured their survival as a football club but assisted with putting Australian football on the worldwide map. There is no doubting how powerful the CFG are with their financial reach throughout the world. Billionaires don’t just buy yachts these days, they buy football clubs too.
When it was first announced that CFG were to takeover Melbourne Heart I jumped in feet first, I wanted my club to be a more powerful beast the cross city rivals Melbourne Victory, to win countless league titles and consistently challenge for every piece is silverware the league had to offer.
I had been with Melbourne Heart since the inception, I was a huge fan of the philosophy of the club and wanted to see them flourish not only on the field but off the field to grow as a real football club. On the field Heart seemed to struggle and definitely faced some financial battles but I was more than happy with the direction the club was taking. The club never lost sight of who they were along the journey but were probably haemoraging money from a financial stand point. We saw players like Curtis Good, Aziz Behich and Eli Babalj develop and move to Europe for the financial benefit of the club.
When CFG took over from Heart many promises and assurances were given, we would have our own identity, we wouldn’t become a “mini Manchester” and we would be a strong successful team. I didn’t expect significant change overnight, in today’s football market this is borderline impossible. We were informed we had access to a worldwide scouting network and this would dramatically benefit the club. CFG would also invest heavily in creating a training facility, bring the best female talent together to form an outstanding W-League squad and enhance our youth development program. I acknowledge the benefits CFG have brought to Australia, specifically Melbourne but they have in my opinion failed to build a football club with real meaning.
As Melbourne City came into the league in it’s own entity it never really explained, we never knew what the club stood for or where they saw themselves in the football landscape in Australia. This has been very secretive, like many of the communication the club has (or doesn’t have).
Even as a member you get the sense that you’re an outsider with the club, there is no real engagement technique the club has used. It’s almost a perceived arrogance that the club belongs to CFG, support us if you choose but your decision won’t impact us in any form. There is no willingness on the clubs behalf to engage.
Take the Ross McCormack departure last season for instance, there is no doubting the club knew they were losing their most prolific scorer and realistically sealing their seasons fate with Bruno Fornaroli so underdone. Instead of making an announcement on the night of McCormacks final game and giving the fans and members a chance to thank Ross the club decided to wait 48hrs to announce his departure. Even if the club were working on extending the loan deal a communication could’ve been sent to all members but this is not the case with Melbourne City.
The recent “transfer” of Daniel Arzani for me was the final straw in giving my emotional and financial support to this football club. I have no issue with Arzani going abroad to enhance his abilities, the kid is far too good for the A-League and the move overseas will see his dramatically develop as a football for his club and country.
Personally I cannot sit on my hands and watch our players “transfer” to Manchester City then move on loan to another club. Yes this worked with a huge amount of success for Aaron Mooy but it also spells out my football club primarily exists to benefit a club on the other side of the world exploit the Financial Fair Play ruling.
Over the last few seasons I’ve become uncomfortable with decisions made by CFG and the club and this has gradually reduced my support and passion for Melbourne City and I no longer have the desire I once did and cannot see this returning for this football franchise.
Over this journey of eight years I’ve met some great people involved with this club, taken part in some incredible opportunities but the gauge has finally reached empty and I have no intention of refilling using the services of CFG.
I might attend a few A-League games this season but this will be purely as a neutral fan. Who knows what the future holds, I don’t want to become an A-League journeyman but I cannot support a club owned by CFG with their mindset and philosophies.
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