Melbourne Victory FC

For the Melbourne Victory W-League team, see Melbourne Victory W-League.

Melbourne Victory

Full name	Melbourne Victory Football Club
Nickname(s)	Victory, Blues
Founded	2004
Ground	AAMI Park
Capacity	30,050
Chairman	Anthony Di Pietro
Manager	Mehmet Durakovic
League	A-League
2010–11	5th (league)
Home colours Away colours

Melbourne Victory Football Club is a professional football (soccer) club in the Australian A-League. Based in Melbourne, Victoria since the 2006-07 season, Melbourne Victory has led the A-League in attendances and is also considered the most successful club domestically in the A-League, having won two A-League Championships and two Premiers Plates.

Melbourne Victory have completed the Premiership-Championship double twice, winning both during the 2006–07 and 2008–09 seasons.

It is also the first and only club to complete the domestic treble, winning the Challenge Cup, Premiership and Championship, all in the 2008–09 season.

History

Beginning

Melbourne Victory was founded in 2003 after the announcement of a revamped domestic league in Australia, which saw the National Soccer League disbanded in 2003 and replaced by the A-League.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) approved the Melbourne Victory consortium as Melbourne's representative in the league, with Belgravia Leisure Pty Ltd backing the club. The chairman and CEO of Belgravia Leisure, Geoff Lord, was installed as the inaugural chairman of Melbourne Victory FC. Melbourne Victory's major sponsor was Samsung.

Gary Cole (an ex-Socceroo) was hired to become Football Operations manager, and was soon joined by Ernie Merrick, appointed as head coach from the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS). Archie Thompson, a then fringe player for the Socceroos had been playing in Belgium with Lierse S.K., was the club's first player signing. The club soon signed three more internationals for the inaugural squad — then Socceroo Kevin Muscat, Austrian Richard Kitzbichler and Belgian Geoffrey Claeys.

• Trial match #1 MV vs Oakleigh Cannons 30 April 2005 (Melbourne 2-0, Allsopp x2)
• Trial match #2 MV vs Bulleen Zebras 4 May 2005
• FIFA Club World Championship Adelaide vs MV 7 May 2005

The remainder of the squad was quickly assembled, although room was left for signings before Melbourne played its first competitive match against Adelaide United in a World Club Championship qualifier. Unfortunately, this resulted in an inconsistent first season. Although highlights included a 5–0 win over major rivals Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory finished as the worst Australian team (ahead of the New Zealand Knights), whilst Sydney, their major rivals went on to win the first A-League Championship.

The Victory continued the sister-city relationship between Melbourne and Tianjin by playing against Chinese Super League Club Tianjin Teda FC annually during the off-season just like its previous NSL predecessors, for the Lord Mayor's Cup.

Melbourne Victory are considered a broad-based club, appealing to all nationalities. The team colours — navy blue and white — are traditionally Victorian state colours.

2005/06 season

It was widely believed that Melbourne Victory would be contenders for the A-League championship but their inaugural season in the Hyundai A-League was less successful than anticipated — the team managed only seven wins out of twenty-one matches, finishing second last.

The highlight of the season was the 5–0 thrashing of eventual champions Sydney FC'' (with 2 goals from Archie Thompson and Kevin Muscat, and one from Richard Kitzbichler). At the end of the season the Melbourne Victory player of the year award was handed to Kevin Muscat, and the club top goal scorer going to Archie Thompson.

2006/07 season

Melbourne began the 2006–2007 Hyundai A-League season hoping to vastly improve on their 7th place in the inaugural 2005–2006 season. Coach Ernie Merrick had made a number of off-season signings to bolster the squad with skill and experience including 3 Brazilians Alessandro, Claudinho, Fred along with Scottish Premier League player Grant Brebner. After a hugely successful round 2 fixture against Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium which attracted the largest home and away crowd for a regular club match, Melbourne Victory announced that they would move all but one match from Olympic Park to the new venue Etihad Stadium. Melbourne became the first team to complete the A-League double in the history of the competition; clinching the premiership against the New Zealand Knights 4–0 at Olympic Park with 4 rounds of competition remaining, then beating Adelaide United 6–0 in the grand final at a sold out Telstra Dome to take the championship. Melbourne also qualified for the 2008 Asian Champions League as A-League Champions.

2007/08 season

Looking to capitalise on their successful 2006–07 campaign, Melbourne made some strong off-season signings including Costa Rican international Carlos Hernández to cover the hole left by the departure of Fred to MLS club D.C. United. Again with the league largest crowds and a record membership of over 20,000, Melbourne were undefeated after 7 rounds but the season slipped away with some poor home performances and a mounting injury list. A late season rally gave Melbourne a hope of making the finals up to the second last round but they finished 5th, 4 points out of the finals.

Melbourne became the first side in A-League history to score 100 goals, reaching the mark after 65 games, with their first goal against Wellington Phoenix at Etihad Stadium on 11 January 2008.

The 2008 Asian Champions League campaign started with a 2–0 home victory of Korean side Chunnam Dragons but inexperience was to show with the team not able to adapt to the East Asian style and long away trips.

2008/09 season

The 2008–09 season brought the start of the A-League Youth League and the introduction of the W-League. Melbourne fielded teams in both competitions. Melbourne actively recruited, bringing in Socceroo Michael Thwaite, Costa Rican World Cup player José Luis López as well as Ney Fabiano from Asian Champions League rivals Chonburi FC.

Melbourne's season got off to an optimal start, winning the Pre-Season Challenge Cup. A 0–0 draw resulted in a penalty shoot-out, Victory winning 8–7 against the Template:ALeague WP.

After winning the pre-season cup, the Victory were held to a 0–0 draw away against Sydney FC. They reinforced their premiership favouritism by coasting to 4–2 and 5–0 victories against Wellington Phoenix and the Newcastle Jets. Despite this, they succumbed 0–2 to an undermanned Sydney side at Etihad Stadium in front of 32,000 fans.

On 6 December, they became the 1st A-League club to amass total crowd figures of 1,000,000.

On 24 January, Melbourne Victory won its final game of the season against Template:ALeague WP. The 2–0 win in front of 29,904 fans placed Victory ahead of Template:ALeague AU on goals scored for the premiership title, a margin United failed to achieve in its 1–0 win over the Template:ALeague CCM.

The Victory kicked off their finals campaign on 7 February 2009 in the major semi-final first leg against bitter rival Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, a game which was won courtesy of goals from Costa Rican Carlos Hernández and Danny Allsopp. In the second leg Melbourne defeated Adelaide United 4–0 with goals from Thompson, Hernandez, Allsopp and Pondlejak, granting Melbourne passage to the Grand Final on a 6–0 aggregate.

Adelaide then defeated Queensland to set up a rematch with Melbourne in the Grand Final, which the Victory won 1–0 with Tom Pondeljak scoring in the 59th minute to regain the A-League Championship and becoming the fist A-League team to win their second championship, a feat since achieved by Sydney FC.

2009/10 season

In 2009–2010, Greek gambling giant Intralot became the Melbourne Victory's new major sponsor to replace Samsung. Their logo subsequently featured on the front of Melbourne Victory's strip.

The Victory made some off-season changes by releasing Steve Pantelidis and Michael Thwaite to Template:ALeague GCU, Sebastian Ryall to Sydney FC, and veteran goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos ended his contract and later joined Norwich City F.C.. Moreover, José Luis López Ramírez had been terminated from his loan from Deportivo Saprissa and Daniel Allsopp moved to Al Rayyan.

Several new signings were made, bringing goalkeeper Glen Moss from Wellington Phoenix, Thai midfielder Surat Sukha from Chonburi FC, the promotion of Mathew Theodore and Matthew Foschini from the youth squad and the permanent signing of veteran Carlos Hernández from L.D. Alajuelense for three years (after his two year loan).

Meanwhile Mate Dugandzic was signed from Melbourne Knights, Robbie Kruse from Brisbane Roar, Marvin Angulo from Club Sport Herediano and Sutee Suksomkit as a nine match guest player.

On 1 December 2009 it was announced that Ney Fabiano was leaving Melbourne and had signed a contract with Thai Premier League team Bangkok Glass FC for the 2010 season.

The Victory finished second after Sydney FC on the ladder and lost the 2010 A-League Grand Final to Sydney FC on a penalty 4-2 shootout.

Melbourne Victory was drawn into group E in 2010 AFC Champions League along with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Beijing Guoan and Kawasaki Frontale. With key players Archie Thompson, Matthew Kemp and Billy Celeski sidelined for long term injuries, Victory finished bottom of the group E.

The Only price por Victory that Season was the 2009 Australian Cup with a win over Brisbane.

2010/11 season

The 2010-11 season was Melbourne Victory's sixth in the A-League. It was the first A-League season with a second club from Victoria (Melbourne Heart). This is hoped to create a Melbourne Derby more fierce than those with Sydney FC and Adelaide United. The rivalry reached a new level when Victory skipper Kevin Muscat was red carded for an unacceptable tackle on a young Heart player Adrian Zahra. Victory moved their home games to AAMI Park for regular season matches.

Victory made several signings during pre-season by signing former Socceroos keeper Michael Petkovic from Sivasspor, promoted Diogo Ferreira, Petar Franjic and Sebastian Mattei from the youth team. With Archie Thompson sidelined with a long term injury, Ricardinho was officially unveiled as Melbourne Victory's international marquee player from Oeste Futebol Clube, where he signed a two-year deal and was handed the number 9 shirt. Thus, Victory loan Geoff Kellaway from Victorian Premier League Premier Dandenong Thunder. On 24 December 2010, Daniel Allsopp rejoined Victory after a year with Al-Rayyan Sports Club and D.C. United.

Meanwhile, promising goalkeeper Mitch Langerak transferred to Borussia Dortmund after impressive 2010 AFC Champions League performance. New Zealander goal keeper Glen Moss transferred to Gold Coast United and attacking midfielder Nick Ward to Wellington Phoenix. Nathan Elasi was released to Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Mathew Theodore was released to Dandenong Thunder.

2010-2011 saw Melbourne Victory finish in fifth place in the regular season but qualify for Final Series to face fourth placed Gold Coast United in the first week knockout stage. On 20 February 2011, Gold Coast United's Dino Đulbić 90+1 header bundled Melbourne Victory out of the championship race with a stunning 1-0 win in sweltering conditions at Skilled Park.

Melbourne Victory were drawn into group E in 2011 AFC Champions League along with Jeju United, Gamba Osaka and sister city team Tianjin Teda. Isaka Cernak had been signed from North Queensland Fury for the 2011 AFC Champions League and the following season.

Towards the end 2010/11 A-League season was preceded by major changes at the club, not only in the playing group but also on the board. Inaugural chairman Geoff Lord stepped down and was replaced by Anthony Di Pietro. This lead to a changing of the coaching staff. On 12 March 2011, Ernie Merrick came to an agreement with the board of directors to part company with the club after being publicly criticised by fans and media for the club's poor 2010/11 season performance, especially the 4-1 lost to arch rival Adelaide United, and the 5-1 loss to Gamba Osaka in its opening 2011 AFC Champions League game. Youth team head coach and former Socceroo Mehmet Durakovic was been appointed as caretaker manager for the remaining 2011 AFC Champions League competition. Merrick's sacking was followed by that of former Socceroos striker Gary Cole on 12 April 2011 as Football Operation Manager after six years of service. Assistant coach Aaron Healey joined the casualty list of the post-Merrick era the following week, as the club sought to reinvent itself as the pre-eminent football force in Australia. Captain Kevin Muscat announced retirement after 2011 AFC Champions League.

Many changes were made to the playing group in the off-season. The club announced on 8 February 2011 that they had signed Perth Glory goalkeeper Tando Velaphi on a two year deal. On 28 February 2011 it was announced that Mate Dugandzic strengthened the rivalry between the two Melbourne clubs by signing for cross town rival Melbourne Heart and became the first player transferred directly from Victory to Heart. Aziz Behich and Kristian Sarkies were the first two players to play for both teams but not transferred directly as Aziz Behich played for Hume City FC after Victory and before Heart during the A-League off season while Kristian Sarkies transferred via Adelaide United. The club ended weeks of speculation on 11 March 2011 by officially confirming that they had signed Marco Rojas for the upcoming season, securing him on a two-year deal.Ricardinho was not selected as one of the five foreign imports for Melbourne's 2011 AFC Champions League campaign, and as a result was loaned to Campeonato Brasileiro Série B club Paraná Clube until 31 December 2011. On 26 March 2011, Socceroos striker Robbie Kruse announced he had signed with German side Fortuna Düsseldorf on a three year contract beginning with the 2011/12 season. The club announed the signing of Jean Carlos Solorzano from Brisbane Roar on 28 March 2011, with LD Alajuelense extending his loan deal for one more season so that the move could take place.

2011/12 season

2011/12 was Melbourne Victory seventh season in A-league. With Greek gambling giant Intralot departed, Melbourne Victory had confirmed a new major sponsor with the Adecco Group signing on as a principal front of shirt sponsor with a three-year deal.

On 27 May 2011, erratic Costa Rican Marvin Angulo has been axed by Melbourne Victory just weeks after his loan deal appeared set to be extended, while goalkeeper Michael Petkovic has retired. On 4 June 2011, It has been reported in the age newspaper and local Australian news that Socceroo former Leeds United, Liverpool FC & Galatasaray star Harry Kewell was offered up to 5 million dollars a sign to play for the Melbourne Victory, other a-league sides such as Melbourne Heart, Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets have also expressed interest in signing Harry Kewell but none of those sides have the money that the victory have. It was also announced on the 16th June 2011 that adidas had signed a five-year deal to be the club's official kit manufacturer.

Corporate

Victory struggled to raise the initial $5 million equity capital to join the A-League in its first year and the FFA helped the club over the line by contributing franchise and set-up fees of about $500,000.

The FFA took a ten per cent holding in the club in return, as well as having a representative on the Victory board.

The shareholding was offered back to the club in 2007 and Lord and his partners — including Ron Peck, Richard Wilson and John Harris — raised the money to buy the shares.

On 27 October 2005, South Korean electronics giant Samsung became the club's major sponsor in a two year deal. This would ensure that Samsung would have their logo feature on the front and the back of Victory's home and away kits. Prior to the 2006–07 season KFC announced they would also be one of Victory's shirt sponsor's, with their logo appearing on the sleeve of Victory's home and away kits. On 28 January 2009 Samsung said that they would not be renewing their sponsorship for the 2009–10 Hyundai A-League season.

Intralot became the Melbourne Victory's new major sponsor when they signed a two season $2 million contract on 4 May 2009. Their logo subsequently featured on the front of Melbourne Victory's playing strip during that time.

On 6 August, it was announced that law firm Florin Burhala Lawyers will be Melbourne Victory's official shorts sponsor for the 2010-11 season.

On 1 June 2011, it was announced that human resources company Adecco Group was signed as the club's new major sponsor for the next three seasons, replacing Intralot. As part of the deal, Adecco's logo will appear on the front of the club's playing strip.

Melbourne announced on the 16th June 2011 that they had signed a five-year deal with global sportswear giant adidas to be the club's official kit manufacturer.

Supporters

Melbourne Victory has the largest supporter base in the A-League, and has consistently set membership and attendance records. Melbourne Victory is unique within the A-League in that they have several distinct active supporters groups located in the Northern Terrace (Blue and White Brigrade (BWB), Horda, DSC) and Southern Terrace (Southern Death Crew).

In January 2011, the HORDA active group was suspected to have stolen a Melbourne Heart banner. This led to an alleged kidnapping attempt by members of Melbourne Heart terrace group YARRASIDE. In the following games, HORDA banners were banned, which led to great protest from the Northern Terrace active members. At the following games, there was an increase in police and security present at the active area. Fans that were perceived as being "too aggressive" were escorted from the terrace, and in some cases fined or banned from the terrace. This led to the fans' anger escalating as they protested against the police control. On 2 February 2011, the fans from the Northern Terrace organised a silent protest for the Melbourne Victory FC - Newcastle Jets match. They left the Northern Terrace empty, and had a banner saying "No fans no past no future - without us you are nothing", "NT United",. The banner was later confiscated by the police.

In February 2011 Victoria Police said they were reluctant to cover Melbourne Victory games because of unacceptable behaviour by fans. Problems included violence, anti-social behaviour and the lighting of flares.

Colours and badge

Melbourne's kit colours are navy blue, silver and white (hence the alternate nickname of the Blues), which encompass the traditional state sporting colours of Victoria. In the first A-League season, only the club badge displayed a chevron, known colloquially as the "Big V", a symbol traditionally used by the Victoria Australian rules football team. In the 2006–07 season the away strip was changed to a grey jersey with a white chevron on the front. This was an immediate hit with the club's supporters, and from the 2007–08 season onwards the Melbourne's home jersey also sported the white chevron on the front. A new kit was introduced for the 2008 AFC Champions League due to AFC rules requiring kits to have player numbers on the front of the uniform as well as the back, which would not fit well with the 'V' on the Victory's regular kit. For the 2009–10 season, Melbourne changed their away jersey to be a reverse of their home jersey; a white shirt with a blue chevron. On the 16th of June 2011, the current kit was announced via the club's YouTube channel, which features a change to a fluoro yellow away jersey. Adidas were announced as the new shirt sponsor for five years.

A-League

Home 2005-2007

Home 2007–2011

Home 2011 – present

Away 2005–2006

Away 2006–2009

Away 2009–2011

Away 2011 - present

AFC

Home 2008

Away 2008

Stadium

2006–07 A-League Grand Final at Docklands Stadium

Melbourne Victory v Gamba Osaka at the Etihad Stadium in April 2008

Further information: Etihad Stadium, Olympic Park Stadium, and Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

Melbourne were originally based at the 50 year old Olympic Park stadium, where they played all home matches during the 2005–06 A-League season. This stadium has seated areas only on the wings, with standing-room sandy terraces on the north and south ends. The average crowd during the first year was 14,158.

On 2 September 2006, Melbourne Victory played Sydney FC at the 56,000 capacity Docklands Stadium. The match was a runaway success in terms of crowds, with 39,730 in attendance. Due to this the club moved all home games to the ground, except for one against the New Zealand Knights due to a Robbie Williams on the same day.

This move to such a large stadium was viewed with scepticism by many, but proved to be an outstanding success, with the Grand Final held there. The average attendance rose to 27,728 for the 2006/07 season, 10,000 above the next highest in the A-League. However, some of the Victory's active supporter groups have little affection for "The Dome", citing over-zealous security restrictions for hampering their efforts on match day.

Prior to the 2006–07 season the club had planned to move to a new stadium being built to the east of the current Olympic Park complex. The new stadium was originally expected to sit approximately 20,000 spectators (expandable to 25,000) and was to be completed in time for the start of the 2008–09 campaign.

These plans were revised after the Victory refused to commit to playing at such a small capacity stadium. On 23 May 2007, the club announced it had signed as a founding co-tenant of the new stadium, which would now be built to accommodate a maximum of 30,050 spectators with further renovations to 50,000 possible. However, further expansion in the near-term is unlikely as it was discovered during Australia's World Cup Bid process that to build such an expansion would be prohibitively expensive.

Docklands Stadium continued to serve as the club's only home ground until the completion of AAMI Park. The club will split its home games between the new stadium and Etihad Stadium from the 2010-2011 A-League campaign onwards; the games of less importance or potential drawing power at the new stadium and the 'blockbusters' and finals matches at Etihad Stadium. For the future seasons it is predicted that AAMI Park will serve to be Melbourne Victory's full time home ground.

Rivalry

Rivalry exists with Sydney FC, Melbourne Heart and Adelaide United. Victory have recorded big wins against Adelaide (6–0 in the 2006–07 Grand Final) and Sydney (5–0 during the 2005–06 Season).

Their biggest rival is Melbourne Heart, who entered the competition in the 2010-11 season, becoming the 2nd club in Melbourne. This was anticipated and did create a city rivalry more fierce than those with Sydney FC and Adelaide United. The rivalry reached a whole new level when Victory skipper Kevin Muscat was red carded for an unacceptable tackle on Heart player Adrian Zahra; Currently 4 former Victory players are at the Melbourne Heart, with Mate Dugandžić doing the first ever direct switch from Victory to Heart in 2011. Currently no players have gone the other way (Heart to Victory)

Sydney is considered Melbourne's major interstate rival, due to Melbourne and Sydney being Australia's two largest cities (see Melbourne-Sydney rivalry). Matches between the two teams are regularly controversial and bitter encounters. Strong tensions are also emerging between the supporters from opposing teams, evident in the sell-out crowds. The rivalry between the two teams was escalated further after Sydney beat Melbourne in the final match of the 2009/2010 season to win the A-League Premiership, and again beat Melbourne in the 2010 A-League Grand Final.

Adelaide is Melbourne's geographical rival as it is the closest team to Melbourne in Australia (see Melbourne-Adelaide Rivalry). There has also been altercations between sets of opposing fans in Melbourne and Adelaide. This rivalry also stems from the other football codes, where the interstate rivalry is big between Victorians and South Australians.

Rivalry has also built up from previous encounters, when an incident between the then Adelaide United manager, John Kosmina, and Victory skipper Kevin Muscat took place during a sideline altercation during a match in the 2006–07 season, and when Victory striker Ney Fabiano allegedly spat in the direction of Adelaide defender Robert Cornthwaite during Round 4 in the 2008–09 season. Ney Fabiano was banned for 6 matches. Victory and Adelaide contested both the 2006–07 and 2008–09 Grand Finals, with Melbourne winning both.

Victory has also developed a more low key rivalry with Japanese club Gamba Osaka, having played them in the group stages of the 2008 AFC Champions League and in the 2011 AFC Champions League

Current squads

Senior men's squad 2011-12

As of 27 May 2011.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	AUS	Tando Velaphi
4	DF	AUS	Petar Franjic (Youth)
5	DF	THA	Surat Sukha
6	MF	AUS	Leigh Broxham
7	DF	AUS	Matthew Kemp
8	MF	SCO	Grant Brebner (Vice-captain)
9	FW	CRC	Jean Carlos Solórzano (on loan from LD Alajuelense)
10	FW	AUS	Archie Thompson
12	DF	AUS	Rodrigo Vargas
13	MF	AUS	Diogo Ferreira
14	MF	AUS	Billy Celeski

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
15	MF	AUS	Tom Pondeljak
16	MF	CRC	Carlos Hernández
17	DF	AUS	Matthew Foschini (Youth)
18	FW	AUS	Danny Allsopp
19	MF	AUS	Isaka Cernak
20	GK	AUS	Sebastian Mattei (Youth)
21	MF	NZL	Marco Rojas
22	FW	AUS	James Jeggo (Youth)
23	DF	AUS	Adrian Leijer (Captain)
25	FW	AUS	Luke O'Dea (Youth)

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
11	FW	BRA	Ricardinho (at Paraná Clube)

Youth squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	AUS	Rani Dowisha
3	MF	AUS	Jason Ricciuti
4	DF	AUS	Nicholas Ansell
6	MF	AUS	Paulo Retre
8	MF	AUS	Jake Nakic
9	FW	AUS	Tedros Yabio
10	MF	AUS	Roy Ruea

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
11	FW	AUS	David Stirton
12	DF	AUS	James Kalafatidis
13	FW	AUS	Luke O’Dea
14	MF	AUS	Andrew Mullet
16	MF	AUS	Stephen Hatzikostas
17	MF	AUS	Anthony Selemidis
18	MF	AUS	Daniel Chaabani
20	GK	AUS	Alastair Bray

Women's squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	AUS	Melissa Barbieri (Co-Captain)
2	DF	AUS	Vedrana Popovic
3	DF	NZL	Marlies Oostdam
4	MF	AUS	Tal Karp (Co-Captain)
5	DF	AUS	Laura Alleway
6	DF	AUS	Maika Ruyter-Hooley
7	MF	AUS	Sarah Groenewald
8	FW	CAN	Katie Thorlakson
9	MF	AUS	Stephanie Catley
10	FW	AUS	Deanna Niceski

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
11	MF	USA	Julianne Sitch
12	MF	AUS	Monnique Hansen Kofoed
13	MF	AUS	Katrina Gorry
14	MF	AUS	Selin Kuralay
15	DF	AUS	Jessica Humble
16	MF	AUS	Gulcan Koca
17	FW	AUS	Caitlin Friend
18	MF	AUS	Ursula Hughson
19	MF	AUS	Enza Barilla
20	GK	AUS	Nicole Paul

Notable former players

See also: List of Melbourne Victory FC players

Below is a list of notable footballers who have previously played for the Melbourne Victory. Generally, this means players that have played 50 or more first-class matches for the club. However, some players who have played fewer matches are also included, as are the club's integral founding members, where integral members of a championship winning team, have at least one senior international cap or made significant contributions to the club's history.

Australia Eugene Galekovic Mitchell Langerak Steve Pantelidis Daniel Piorkowski Michael Theoklitos Michael Thwaite Evan Berger Mate Dugandzic Michael Petkovic Austria Richard Kitzbichler Belgium Geoffrey Claeys Brazil Fred Ney Fabiano Leandro Love

Costa Rica José Luis López Marvin Angulo England Joe Keenan James Robinson New Zealand Glen Moss Thailand Sutee Suksomkit

Personnel

Club officials

• Chairman: Anthony Di Pietro
• Managing Director: Richard Wilson
• Director: Ron Peck
• Director: Mario Biasin
• Director: Ian McLeod
• Director: John Harris

Senior squad coaching and medical staff

• Headcoach: Mehmet Durakovic
• Assistant Coach: Kevin Muscat
• Assistant Coach & Goalkeeping Coach: Steve Mautone
• Strength & Conditioning Coach: Adam Basil
• Sports Scientist: Anita Pedrana
• Physiotherapist: Sam Bugeja
• Physiotherapist: Daniel Jones
• Personal Trainer: Andrew Brown
• Doctor: Dr Anik Shawdon

Youth Squad Coaching Staff

• Manager: Mehmet Durakovic
• Assistant Manager: Steve Mautone
• Team Manager: Anthony Grima

W-League Team Coaching Staff

• Manager: N/A

Head Coaches

Dates	Name	Notes
2005 - 12 March 2011	Ernie Merrick	Inaugural Head Coach
12 March 2011 – 20 June 2011	Mehmet Durakovic	Caretaker Head Coach
21 June 2011 – present	Mehmet Durakovic	First Head Coach had represented Socceroos

Club captains

Dates	Name	Notes
2005 - 16 February 2011	Kevin Muscat	Inaugural club captain.
16 February 2011 – present	Adrian Leijer	-

Honours

Club

• A-League Premiership:
  • Premiers (2): 2006-07, 2008–09
  • Runners-Up (1): 2009-10
• A-League Championship:
  • Champions (2): 2006-07, 2008–09
  • Runners-Up (1): 2009-10
• A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
  • Champions (1): 2008-09
• QNI North Queensland Trophy
  • Winners (1) 2006
• Lord Mayors Cup
  • Winners (1) 2007

Individual

List of Individual award winners who won awards while playing for Melbourne Victory FC.

• A-League Golden Boot Winners

- 2005/06: Archie Thompson *

- 2006/07: Daniel Allsopp

• Joe Marston Medal Winners

- 2006/07: Archie Thompson

- 2008/09: Tom Pondeljak

• A-League Rising Star

- 2006/07: Adrian Leijer

• A-League Goalkeeper of the Year

- 2006/07: Michael Theoklitos(Now Brisbane roar player)

- 2007/08: Michael Theoklitos (Now Brisbane roar player)

• A-League Coach of the Year

- 2006/07: Ernie Merrick

- 2009/10: Ernie Merrick

• A-League Johnny Warren Medallist

- 2009/10: Carlos Hernandez

(*) Indicates co-winner

IFFHS World Club Ranking

Source: IFFHS Last updated: 31 January 2011

374. 0 Club Atlético Huracán Cagliari Calcio, K.V.C. Westerlo, Al-Wahda, Nasaf Qarshi, Chievo Verona, Kilmarnock F.C.

381. 0 K.V. Kortrijk, Churchill Brothers SC, Deportivo Cali, Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, Unión Española, Lokomotiv Moscow, Stade Malien

389. 0 KF Tirana, FC Torpedo Zhodino, FC Braşov

Year-by-year history

Melbourne League history

Season	Teams	Pre-Season	Premiership Ladder Position	Finals Qualification	Final Ladder Position	ACL Qualification	ACL Placing
2005–06	8	Semi-Final	7th	DNQ	7th	DNQ	n/a
2006–07	8	5th	Premiers	Qualified	Champions	Qualified for 2008	DNQ
2007–08	8	8th	5th	DNQ	5th	DNQ	Group Stages (2nd)
2008–09	8	Winners	Premiers	Qualified	Champions	Qualified for 2010	DNQ
2009–10	10	-	2nd	Qualified	2nd	Qualified for 2011	Group Stages (4th)
2010–11	11	-	5th	Qualified	5th	DNQ	Group Stages

Records and statistics

For detailed records and statistics see Records and Statistics

Records

• Record Victory: 6–0 vs Template:ALeague AU, A-League Grand Final, 18 February 2007
• Record Defeat: 0–4 (twice): vs Template:ALeague NUJ, 19 January 2007 and vs Template:ALeague CCM, 7 November 2009
• Record Home Defeat: 0–4 vs Template:ALeague CCM, 7 November 2009
• Record High Attendance: 55,436 vs Template:ALeague AU, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, 18 February 2007
• Record High Attendance (Season): 50,333 vs Template:ALeague SFC, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, 8 December 2006
• Most Goals by a Player in a Game: 5 - Archie Thompson, A-League Grand Final, 18 February 2007
• Most Wins in a Row: 8–4 February 2006 – 8 October 2006
• Highest Season Average Attendance: 27,728 - A-League 2006–07
• All-time Leading Goal Scorer: Archie Thompson - 50 goals (as of 18 September 2010)
• A-League Leading Goal Scorer: Archie Thompson - 49 goals (as of 18 September 2010)
• Most Goals In a Regular season: Carlos Hernández - 12 goals, A-League 2009–10
• All-time Leading Appearances: Kevin Muscat - 117 appearances (as of 18 September 2010)
• A-League Leading Appearances: Archie Thompson - 102 appearances (as of 18 September 2010)
• Longest Period Without Conceding a Goal: 475 minutes - 11 January 2009 – 6 August 2009 Goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos

Leading scorers

Last updated 29 October 2010,

Competitive, professional matches only, appearances including substitutes appear in brackets.

	Name	Years	A-League	Finals	ACL	Total	Games per goal
1	Archie Thompson	2005/06 -	42 (94)	7 (8)	1 (4)	50 (106)	2.12
2	Danny Allsopp	2005/06 - 2009, 2011 -	33 (83)	3 (6)	3 (6)	39 (95)	2.45
3	Kevin Muscat	2005/06 -	28 (102)	0 (9)	3 (10)	31 (121)	3.90
4	Carlos Hernández	2007/08 -	20 (76)	3 (6)	1 (8)	24 (90)	3.75
5	Robbie Kruse	2009/10 -	9 (26)	1 (2)	0 (4)	10 (32)	3.20
6	Tom Pondeljak	2008/09 -	5 (52)	1 (5)	1 (5)	8 (62)	7.75
7	Rodrigo Vargas	2006/07 -	5 (100)	0 (9)	2 (11)	7 (120)	17.14
=8	Ney Fabiano	2008/09 - 2009/10	6 (29)	1 (1)	0 (0)	6 (30)	5.00
=8	Adrian Caceres	2006/07 - 2007/08	6 (40)	0 (2)	0 (5)	6 (47)	7.83
=10	Richard Kitzbichler	2005/06	5 (18)	0 (0)	0 (0)	5 (18)	3.60
=10	Nick Ward	2007/08 -	5 (40)	0 (5)	0 (12)	5 (57)	11.40

Most number of appearances

Competitive, professional matches only including substitution, number of appearances as a substitute appears in brackets.

Last updated 29 October 2010

	Name	Years	A-League	Finals	ACL	Total
1	Kevin Muscat	2005/06 -	102 (0)	9 (0)	10 (0)	121 (0)
2	Rodrigo Vargas	2006/07 -	100 (0)	9 (0)	11 (0)	120 (0)
3	Archie Thompson	2005/06 -	94 (2)	8 (1)	4 (2)	106 (5)
4	Grant Brebner	2006/07 -	84 (19)	9 (3)	4 (0)	97 (22)
5	Danny Allsopp	2005/06 - 2009, 2011-	87 (1)	6 (0)	6 (0)	95 (1)
6	Carlos Hernández	2007/08 -	76 (8)	6 (0)	8 (3)	90 (11)
7	Adrian Leijer	2006/07 - 2007/08, 2009/10 -	76 (1)	6 (0)	5 (0)	87 (1)
8	Leigh Broxham	2005/06 - 2008/09	68 (19)	4 (1)	10 (0)	82 (20)

See also

• Sport in Australia
• Sport in Victoria

External links

• Melbourne - Official website
• New Stadium - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
• MVFC Videos Melbourne Victory Videos