Melbourne Victory FC

Melbourne Victory

Full name	Melbourne Victory FC
Nickname(s)	Victory, Blues
Founded	2004
Ground	AAMI Park
Capacity	30,050
Chairman	Anthony Di Pietro
Manager	Ange Postecoglou
League	A-League
2011–12	8th (League) DNQ (Finals)
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours

Melbourne Victory FC is an Australian professional football (soccer) club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League. Founded in 2004 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, Melbourne Victory has led the A-League in attendances every year since the 2006–07 season 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 (where it also won the pre-season Cup, technically securing The Treble - The pre-season Cup no longer exists) and 2008–09 seasons.

History

Beginning

On 1 November 2004, Melbourne Victory was unveiled as Melbourne's representative in the A-League, along with 7 other foundation clubs; 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. Samsung were announced as Victory's major sponsor on 5 December 2005. Melbourne Victory is considered a broad-based club, appealing to all nationalities. The team colours – navy blue and white – are traditionally Victorian state colours.

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.

Former Socceroo Gary Cole was hired as 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 who 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.

The Victory finished in a disappointing 7th place in the club's inaugural season.

2006–07 season

Melbourne began the 2006–07 Hyundai A-League season hoping to vastly improve on their 7th place in the inaugural 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 the Telstra Dome (now the Etihad Stadium) in front of a crowd of 39,730, Melbourne Victory announced that they would move all but one match from Olympic Park to Telstra Dome. 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 the A-League season 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 AFC 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's 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 the Telstra Dome on 11 January 2008.

Melbourne Victory's 2008 Asian Champions League campaign began with a 2–0 home victory over South Korean side Chunnam Dragons; however, the Victory were unable to progress past the Group Stage, finishing runners-up to Gamba Osaka.

2008–09 season

The 2008–09 season brought the start of the A-League Youth League and the introduction of the W-League with Melbourne fielding teams in both competitions. Melbourne actively recruited, bringing in Socceroo Michael Thwaite on a one year loan, 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, with Victory winning 8–7 on penalties against Wellington Phoenix.

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 respectively. Despite this, they succumbed 0–2 to an undermanned Sydney side at the Telstra Dome in front of 31,564 fans.

On 6 December 2008, Melbourne Victory became the first A-League club to amass total crowd figures of 1,000,000 after their away match against Perth Glory.

On 24 January 2009, Melbourne Victory won its final game of the season against Wellington Phoenix. The 2–0 win in front of 28,905 fans placed Victory ahead of Adelaide United 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 Carlos Hernández and Danny Allsopp. In the second leg Melbourne defeated Adelaide United 4–0 with goals from Archie Thompson, Hernandez, Allsopp and Tom Pondeljak, granting Melbourne passage to the Grand Final on a 6–0 aggregate.

Adelaide then defeated Queensland Roar 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 first A-League team to win their second championship, a feat since achieved by Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar.

2009–10 season

From the 2009–10 season, Greek gambling giant Intralot became the Melbourne Victory's new major sponsor to replace Samsung in a two-year deal valued at $2 million. 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 was transferred to Sydney FC, and veteran goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos ended his contract and later joined Norwich City F.C.. Moreover, José Luis López Ramírez's loan spell was terminated from Deportivo Saprissa and Daniel Allsopp moved to Al Rayyan.

Several new signings were made, bringing New Zealand international 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 Dugandžić was signed from Melbourne Knights, Robbie Kruse from Brisbane Roar, Marvin Angulo from Club Sport Herediano and Sutee Suksomkit was signed 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 to Sydney FC on the ladder and lost the 2010 A-League Grand Final to Sydney 4–2 on penalties.

Melbourne Victory were drawn into Group E in the 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 Group E.

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 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 young Heart player Adrian Zahra. Victory moved their home games to AAMI Park for regular season matches. christine taouk is james maenads bitch pre-season by signing former Socceroos keeper Michael Petkovic from Sivasspor, promoted Diogo Ferreira, Petar Franjic and Sebastian Mattei from the youth team and 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. Victory also loaned 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 was transferred to Borussia Dortmund after his impressive 2010 AFC Champions League performance. goalkeeper Glen Moss was also 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.

2010–11 saw Melbourne Victory finish in fifth place in the regular season and qualify for the finals 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 the 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 of the 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 led 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 loss 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 then 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 his retirement after the 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 Dugandžić 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 attacking midfielder 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 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf on a three-year contract beginning with the 2011–12 season. The club announced the signing of Jean Carlos Solorzano from Brisbane Roar on 28 March 2011, with L.D. Alajuelense extending his loan deal for one more season so that the move could take place.

2011–12 season

Assistant manager Kevin Muscat was appointed caretaker manager for 1 match while the club searched for a new manager.

Jim Magilton was appointed the interim manager of Melbourne Victory, following the sacking of Mehmet Durakovic.

The 2011–12 season is Melbourne Victory's seventh in the A-League. With Greek gambling giant Intralot departed, Melbourne Victory confirmed a new major sponsor with Swiss human resources company Adecco signing on as a principal front of shirt sponsor in a three-year deal.

On 27 May 2011, erratic Costa Rican Marvin Angulo was axed by Melbourne Victory just weeks after his loan deal appeared set to be extended, while goalkeeper Michael Petkovic announced his retirement. Thai defender Surat Sukha left to join Buriram PEA after he was released by the Victory on compassionate grounds. It was also announced on 16 June 2011 that Adidas had signed a five-year deal as the club's official kit manufacturer. On 21 June 2011, Mehmet Durakovic was appointed as head coach of Melbourne Victory while former Socceroo and SBS football analyst Francis Awaritefe was appointed as Director of Football. However, after a brief five-month stint in his job as the Director of Football with Melbourne Victory, Awaritefe was axed by Melbourne Victory, after a run of poor results.

On 20 August 2011, Melbourne Victory officially confirmed the signing of Socceroos and former Leeds, Liverpool and Galatasaray player Harry Kewell on a three-year contract.

On 15 September 2011, it was announced Brazilian Fabio Alves had signed a one-year contract with Victory, after an impressive trial performance in a pre-season friendly against reigning champions Brisbane Roar.

On 4 October 2011, Ante Covic signed a one-year deal with Melbourne Victory as an injury replacement for Tando Velaphi who was ruled out for 12 weeks.

On 5 January 2012, it was announced that manager Mehmet Durakovic had been sacked due to poor performances throughout the season, with only three wins from their first 14 games. Assistant coach, Kevin Muscat, was appointed caretaker coach while the club searched for a new coach.

On 7 January 2012, the former manager of Ipswich Town, Jim Magilton, was appointed as interim manager until the end of the current season.

On 23 January 2012 it was reported that Melbourne Victory was to secure Mark Milligan on loan until the end of the season. It was confirmed on 24 January that Milligan has signed the contract for a loan deal until the end of the 2011–12 A-League season. On 24 January 2012 it was confirmed that Julius Davies had signed with Melbourne Victory after impressing the staff during his two weeks of training with the club, although he was not cleared to play until 16 March 2012. On 8 February 2012 Hong Kong based Spanish defender Ubay Luzardo secured a loan deal to Melbourne Victory until the end of the season.

Veterans Tom Pondeljak, Rodrigo Vargas and Fabio were released days before the final series began.

On 15 March, Victory confirmed the signing of sought-after Gold Coast United defender Adama Traore on a two-year deal. On 16 March, Jim Magilton boosted his defensive stocks for the upcoming season with the capture of Central Coast Mariners utility Sam Gallagher.

Melbourne Victory finished the 2011–2012 season in eighth place and missed the finals campaign. Magilton was not offered a further contract and departed the club in April 2012.

2012–13 season

At the start of the 2012–13 season Ubay Luzardo and Jean Carlos Solórzano returned to their respective clubs after their loan deals had expired.

In April 2012 Ange Postecoglou was appointed as Melbourne Victory manager. Veterans Grant Brebner and Ante Covic were released from Melbourne Victory. Fabio was then released and signed a two-year contract with arch rival Sydney FC.

In May 2012, it was announced that Carlos Hernandez had exited Melbourne Victory after the club couldn't come to agree a new deal with him as they attempted to slash costs to fit him into the salary cap. On 26 May, Matthew Kemp retired from the A-League.

In June 2012 Harry Kewell quit Melbourne Victory to return to England to be with his family due to problems with his mother-in-law's health.

Several signings took place during pre-season period. Ivorian defender Adama Traoré was signed from the defunct Gold Coast United, Sam Gallagher was signed from Central Coast Mariners, Brazilian attacking midfielder Guilherme Finkler was signed from Criciúma Esporte Clube, Mauritian defensive midfield Jonathan Bru was signed from Moreirense F.C., Spase Dilevski was signed from Adelaide United, Theo Markelis was signed from Vicenza Calcio, former Johnny Warren Medal winner Marco Flores was signed from Henan Jianye and Mark Milligan was signed from JEF United Ichihara Chiba after an impressive loan spell with Melbourne Victory under former coach Jim Magilton.

In July 2012 it was announced that the club had agreed to a sponsorship deal for naming rights of the newly formed state-wide Victory League based in Tasmania.

On 18 October 2012 Daniel Allsopp announced his retirement from professional football after four games from the new season.

On 24 October 2012 Nathan Coe returned to Australia to sign with Melbourne Victory on a three-year deal.

Support

Melbourne Victory has the largest supporter base in Australia and has consistently set record highs in membership and attendance.

In January 2011, the HORDA active group was suspected to have stolen a Melbourne Heart banner. 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 – 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.

Rivalries

Main articles: Melbourne Derby, The Cross Border Rivalry, and The City Derby

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).

• Template:ALeague MH – (Melbourne Derby.) Melbourne Victory's local rival is Melbourne Heart, who entered the competition in the 2010–11 season, becoming the 2nd club in Melbourne. 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 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)

• Template:ALeague SFC – (The Big Blue). 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 2009–10 season to win the A-League Premiership, and again beat Melbourne in the 2010 A-League Grand Final.

• Template:ALeague AU – (The Cross Border Rivalry). Melbourne Victory also has a rivalry with Adelaide United. This rivalry stems from the other football codes, where the interstate rivalry is big between Victorians and South Australians (see South Australia-Victoria rivalry). There has also been altercations between sets of opposing fans in Melbourne and Adelaide. The rivalry has 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 he was banned for 9 matches; however, this was reduced to 6 after a successful appeal. Victory and Adelaide contested both the 2006–07 and 2008–09 Grand Finals, with Melbourne winning both.

Corporate

Victory FC Memberships 05/06—12/13

Year	Members	A-League table position
2005–06	15,000+	7th
2006–07	27,564	1st
2007–08	26,581	5th
2008–09	?	1st
2009–10	?	2nd
2010–11	?	5th
2011–12	20,767	8th
2012–13	18,262 (currently)	2nd (currently)

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 Geoff Lord and his partners – including Ron Peck, Richard Wilson and John Harris – raised the money to buy the shares.

On 5 December 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 were announced as Victory's sleeve sponsor, with their logo appearing on the sleeve of Victory's home and away kits. On 28 January 2009, Samsung announced that they would not be renewing their sponsorship for the 2009–10 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, starting from the 2009–10 season.

On 6 August 2010, it was announced that law firm Florin Burhala Lawyers would 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 signed a three-year deal as the club's major sponsor, replacing Intralot. As part of the deal, Adecco's logo will appear on the front of the club's playing strip.

Melbourne Victory announced on 16 June 2011 that they had signed a five-year deal with global sportswear giant Adidas as the club's official kit manufacturer.

Colours and badge

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
2005–2009	Reebok	Samsung
2009–2011		Intralot
2011–	Adidas	Adecco

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 Victory's inaugural 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. From 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 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 16 June 2011, the current kits were announced via the club's YouTube channel, which features a change to a fluoro yellow away jersey. Adidas were announced as the club's official kit manufacturer 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 Champions League

Home 2008

Away 2008

Stadium

2007 A-League Grand Final at Docklands Stadium

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

Further information: Olympic Park Stadium, Docklands 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 had 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. As a result the club moved all home games to the ground, except for the Round 17 clash against the New Zealand Knights on 17 December 2006 where the match was moved to Olympic Park due to a Robbie Williams concert that was held 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.

Prior to the 2006–07 season the club had planned to move to a new $190 million 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 by 2009.

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 split its home games between the new stadium and Etihad Stadium from the 2010–11 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.

Players

First-team squad

As of 2 February 2013.
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
2	DF	AUS	Matthew Foschini
3	DF	CIV	Adama Traore
5	DF	AUS	Mark Milligan
6	MF	AUS	Leigh Broxham
7	MF	BRA	Guilherme Finkler
8	MF	MRI	Jonathan Bru
9	MF	ARG	Marcos Flores
10	FW	AUS	Archie Thompson (Vice-captain)
11	MF	NZL	Marco Rojas
13	MF	AUS	Diogo Ferreira
14	MF	AUS	Billy Celeski
15	DF	AUS	Sam Gallagher
16	FW	AUS	Theo Markelis (Youth)

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
17	MF	AUS	James Jeggo (Youth)
18	MF	AUS	Francesco Stella
20	GK	AUS	Lawrence Thomas (Youth)
21	DF	AUS	Spase Dilevski
22	FW	AUS	Jesse Makarounas (Youth)
23	DF	AUS	Adrian Leijer (Captain)
24	DF	AUS	Nicolas Ansell (Youth)
25	FW	AUS	Luke O'Dea (Youth)
26	FW	AUS	Andrew Nabbout (Youth)
27	MF	AUS	Christopher Cristaldo (Youth)
30	DF	AUS	Jason Geria (Youth)
31	DF	AUS	Scott Galloway (Youth)
32	FW	AUS	Connor Pain (Youth)
39	GK	AUS	Nathan Coe

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
24	DF	AUS	Nicolas Ansell
25	FW	AUS	Luke O'Dea
27	MF	AUS	Christopher Cristaldo
28	MF	AUS	Kwabena Boahene
29	FW	AUS	John Buceto
30	DF	AUS	Jason Geria
31	DF	AUS	Scott Galloway
32	FW	AUS	Connor Pain

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
33	MF	AUS	Dylan Murnane
34	MF	AUS	Luc Jeggo
35	MF	AUS	Jake Nakic
36	GK	AUS	Luke Radonich
37	MF	AUS	Jordan Brown
38	GK	AUS	Phillip Petrovski
40	DF	AUS	Daniel Chaabani
41	MF	AUS	Hernan Espindola

Women's squad

See Melbourne Victory FC W-League 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	Brianna Davey
2	DF	USA	Danielle Johnson
3	DF	AUS	Maika Ruyter-Hooley
4	DF	NZL	Rebekah Stott
5	FW	AUS	Laura Spiranovic
6	MF	SWE	Petra Larsson
7	DF	AUS	Stephanie Catley
8	FW	AUS	Ashley Brown
9	MF	AUS	Tiffany Eliadis
10	FW	USA	Jessica McDonald
11	FW	AUS	Caitlin Friend

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
12	DF	AUS	Jackie Vogt
13	MF	AUS	Louisa Bisby
14	MF	AUS	Enza Barilla
15	MF	AUS	Amy Jackson
16	MF	AUS	Georgie Koutrouvelis
17	MF	TUR	Gulcan Koca
18	MF	TLS	Cindy Lay
19	FW	AUS	Rachel Alonso
20	GK	AUS	Cassandra Dimovski
23	DF	AUS	Jessica Humble
30	GK	AUS	Melissa Maizels

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, are the club's integral founding members, were integral members of a championship winning team, have at least one senior international cap or made significant contributions to the club's history.

Australia Adrian Caceres (2006–08) Sebastian Ryall (2007–09) Ante Covic (2011–12) Aziz Behich (2008-10) Ricky Diaco (2005–06) Eugene Galeković (2005–07) Mathew Kemp (2007–12) Harry Kewell (2011–12) Robbie Kruse (2009–11) Mitchell Langerak (2007–10) Kevin Muscat (2005–11) Steve Pantelidis (2005–09) Michael Petkovic (2010–11) Daniel Piorkowski (2005–08) Tom Pondeljak (2008–12) Simon Storey (2005–07) Michael Theo (2005–09) Michael Thwaite (2008–09) Rodrigo Vargas (2006–12) Nik Mrdja (2010) Nick Ward (2007–10) Kaz Patafta (2007–08) Evan Berger (2007–11) Daniel Allsopp (2005–09, 2011–12) Isaka Cernak (2011–13) Petar Franjic (2010–13) Julius Davies (2012–13)

Austria Richard Kitzbichler (2005–06) Belgium Geoffrey Claeys (2005–06) Brazil Fred (2006–07) Fabio (2011–12) Fabiano (2008–09) Alessandro (2006–07) Costa Rica Marvin Angulo (2009–11) Carlos Hernández (2007–12) José Luis López (2008–09) Jean Carlos Solórzano (2011–12) England Joe Keenan (2007–08) James Robinson (2006–07) Scotland Grant Brebner (2006–12) Thailand Surat Sukha (2009–11) Sutee Suksomkit (2009)

Wales Geoff Kellaway (2010–11)

Notable former W-League players

See also: List of Melbourne Victory Women players

Below is a list of notable footballers who have previously played for the Melbourne Victory W-League team. 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, are the club's integral founding members, were integral members of a championship winning team, have at least one senior international cap or made significant contributions to the club's history.

Australia Laura Alleway (2008–2009) Melissa Barbieri (2008–2011) Katrina Gorry (2009,2011–2012) Tal Karp (2008–2009) Selin Kuralay (2008–2009) Canada Katie Thorlakson (2009) Brittany Timko (2008–2009)

England Jodie Taylor (2010–2012) New Zealand Marlies Oostdam (2008–2011) Rebecca Tegg (2008–2009) United States of America Kendall Fletcher (2010–2012) Wales Jessica Fishlock (2012)

Personnel

Club officials

• Chairman: Anthony Di Pietro
• Managing Director: Richard Wilson
• Director: Harry Stamoulis
• Director: Mario Biasin
• Director: Florin Burhala
• Director: Ian McLeod
• Director: John Harris

Current technical staff

Position	Staff
Manager	Ange Postecoglou
Assistant manager	Kevin Muscat
Strength & Conditioning Coach	Adam Basil
Goalkeeping coach	Steve Mautone
Sports Scientist	Amber Rowell
Physiotherapist	Sam Bugeja
Physiotherapist	Daniel Jones
Personal Trainer	Andrew Brown
Doctor	Dr Anik Shawdon
Director of football	Paul Trimboli
Youth team manager	Darren Davies
Youth team assistant manager	Vaughan Coveny
Youth team goalkeeping coach	Dean Anastasiadis
Women's team manager	Fabrizio Soncin
Women's team assistant manager	Sean Douglas

Source:

Director of Football

Dates	Name	Notes
2005 – 12 April 2011	Gary Cole	Football Operation Manager
21 June 2011 – 22 November 2011	Francis Awaritefe	Director of Football
25 June 2012 – present	Paul Trimboli	Director of Football

Managers

Dates	Name	Notes	Honours
20 December 2004 – 12 March 2011	Ernie Merrick	Inaugural manager	2006–07 A-League Premiership 2008–09 A-League Premiership 2009–10 A-League Premiership Runner Up 2006–07 A-League Championship 2008–09 A-League Championship 2009–10 A-League Championship Runner Up 2008 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup A-League Coach of the Year 2006–07 A-League Coach of the Year 2009–10
12 March 2011 – 20 June 2011	Mehmet Durakovic	Caretaker Manager
21 June 2011 – 6 January 2012	Mehmet Durakovic	First manager who previously represented Socceroos
6 January 2012 – 7 January 2012	Kevin Muscat	Caretaker manager for one match, only ever A-league manager with a 100% win record
7 January 2012 – 1 April 2012	Jim Magilton	First foreign manager
26 April 2012 – present	Ange Postecoglou

W-League Managers

Dates	Name	Notes	Honours
26 October 2008 – 5 December 2009	Matt Sheppard	Inaugural manager
13 November 2010 – 21 January 2012	Vicki Linton	First manager to take the club to W-League finals	W-League Fair-Play Award (x2): 2010/11 & 2011/12
12 November 2011 – 13 November 2011	Michael Edwards	Step-in Manager for one match
21 October 2012 – 18 December 2012	Mike Mulvey	Departed in Round Ten to join Brisbane Roar in the A-League.
18 December 2012 – Present	Fabrizio Soncin	Promoted from Assistant Coach to complete season 2012/13	W-League Premiership Runners-Up 2012/13

Club captains

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

Affiliated Clubs

• Tianjin Teda

In 2007 Melbourne Victory set up a sister-club relationship with Chinese Club Tianjin Teda. The two clubs have played off in the Lord Mayor's Cup on three occasions since then.

• Tasmanian Victory League

The Tasmanian State league that is sponsored and supported by the Victory.

• Waverley Victory FC
• Cobram Victory

Honours

Domestic

League

• A-League:
  • Champions (2): 2006–07, 2008–09
    • Runners-Up (1): 2009–10
  • Premiership (2): 2006–07, 2008–09
    • Runners-Up (1): 2009–10
  • Finals Series Appearances (4): 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11

A-League Fair Play Award

• Winners (1): 2005-06

Cups

• Pre-Season Cup:
  • Winners (1): 2008

Continental

Asia

• Asian Champions League Appearances: 3
  • 2008 — Group Stage (2nd)
  • 2010 — Group Stage (4th)
  • 2011 — Group Stage (3rd, Best Performance out of the Australian clubs)

Asian Champions League Fair Play Award

• Winners (1): 2008

Worldwide

Minor Trophies

Lord Mayor's Cup

• Winners (2): 2007, 2011

QNI North Queensland Trophy

• Winners (1): 2006

Beyond Blue Cup

• Winners (5): 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2012-13

Kosmina-Muscat Cup

• Winners (3): 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10

Westpac Cup

• Winners (2): 2010-11, 2012-13

Hyundai Club Challenge

• Winners (1): 2011

AXF Cup

• Winners (1): 2012

Doubles and Trebles

Domestic Treble

• Winners (1): 2008–09

The Double

• Winners (2): 2006–07, 2008–09

League & League Cup Double

• Winners (1): 2008–09

Domestic Cup Double

• Winners (1): 2008–09

Youth

• National Youth League:
  • Champions (0):
    • Runners-Up (0):
  • Premiership (0):
    • Runners-Up (0):
  • Finals Series Appearances (1): 2010–11

Individual honours

• Johnny Warren Medal (1):
  • Carlos Hernandez (2009–10)
• Joe Marston Medal (2):
  • Archie Thompson (2006–07)
  • Tom Pondeljak (2008–09)
• A-league Golden Boot (2):
  • Archie Thompson (2005–06)
  • Danny Allsopp (2006–07)
• A-League Manager of the Year (2):
  • Ernie Merrick (2006–07)
  • Ernie Merrick (2009–10)
• A-League Foreign Player of the Year (1):
  • Carlos Hernandez (2009–10)
• A-league Goalkeeper of the Year (2):
  • Michael Theoklitos (2006–07)
  • Michael Theoklitos (2007–08)
• A-League Rising Star (1):
  • Adrian Leijer (2006–07)
• A-League Goal of the Year (2):
  • Carlos Hernandez (2009–10)
  • Carlos Hernandez (2011–12)

• AFC Champions League:Team of the Week (3):
  • Mitch Langerak (2010)- Matchday 4
  • Mitch Langerak (2010)- Matchday 5
  • Matthew Kemp (2008)- Matchday 1
  • Carlos Hernandez (2008)- Matchday 6

W-League Honours

Club

• W-League Fair-Play Award:
  • Winners (2): 2010–11, 2011–12
• Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation Trophy
  • Champions (2): 2010–11, 2011–12

• W-league:
  • Champions (0):
    • Runners-Up (0): 2012–13
  • Premiership (0):
    • Runners-Up (0):
  • Finals Series Appearances (3): 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

Individual

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

• U20 Female Footballer of the Year – Australian Football Awards

- 2012: Stephanie Catley

• W-League Young Player of the Year

- 2011/12: Ashley Brown

• W-League Goalkeeper of the Year

- 2008/09: Melissa Barbieri

• Female Footballer of the Year – Australian Football Fan Awards

- 2011/12: Stephanie Catley

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	DNQ
2006–07	8	5th	Premiers	Qualified	Champions	Qualified for 2008	DNQ
2007–08	8	8th	5th	DNQ	5th	DNQ	Group Stage (2nd)
2008–09	8	Winners	Premiers	Qualified	Champions	Qualified for 2010	DNQ
2009–10	10	N/A	2nd	Qualified	2nd	Qualified for 2011	Group Stage (4th)
2010–11	11	N/A	5th	Qualified	5th	DNQ	Group Stage (4th)
2011–12	10	N/A	8th	DNQ	8th	DNQ	DNQ

Records and statistics

For detailed records and statistics see Melbourne Victory records and statistics.

Records

• Record Win: 6–0 vs Template:ALeague AU, 2007 A-League Grand Final, 18 February 2007
• Record Defeat: 5–0 : vs Template:ALeague BR, 13 October 2012, Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
• 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 (A-League record)
• Record High Attendance (Season): 50,333 vs Template:ALeague SFC, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, 8 December 2006 (A-League record)
• Most Goals by a Player in a Game: 5 – Archie Thompson, 2007 A-League Grand Final, 18 February 2007 (A-League record)
• Most Wins in a Row: 8 – 4 February 2006 – 8 October 2006
• Highest Season Average Attendance: 27,728 – 2006–07 A-League (A-League record)
• Most Goals In a Regular season: Carlos Hernández – 12 goals, 2009–10 A-League
• Longest Period Without Conceding a Goal: 475 minutes – 11 January 2009 – 6 August 2009 Goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos

Most appearances

Archie Thompson holds the record for most league appearances with 150 (including finals) as of January 2013

Last updated 14 January 2013

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

	Name	Years	A-League	Finals	ACL	Total
1	Archie Thompson	2005–	150 (4)	9 (2)	10 (2)	123 (8)
2	Rodrigo Vargas	2006–2012	118 (1)	10 (0)	14 (0)	142 (1)
3	Kevin Muscat	2005–2011	113 (0)	9 (0)	16 (0)	138 (1)
4	Grant Brebner	2006–2012	100 (19)	9 (3)	7 (0)	116 (22)
5	Carlos Hernández	2007–2012	93 (9)	7 (1)	13 (4)	113 (14)

Leading scorers

Archie Thompson holds the record for most league goals with 55 (including finals) as of January 2013.

Last updated June 2011

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

	Name	Years	A-League	Finals	ACL	Total	Games per goal
1	Archie Thompson	2005–	46 (101)	7 (9)	1 (7)	54 (121)	2.20
2	Danny Allsopp	2005–2009, 2011–2012	38 (91)	3 (7)	4 (11)	45 (109)	2.38
3	Kevin Muscat	2005–2011	28 (113)	0 (9)	6 (16)	34 (138)	4.00
4	Carlos Hernández	2007–	23 (85)	3 (9)	2 (11)	28 (112)	3.92
5	Robbie Kruse	2009–2011	15 (36)	1 (3)	0 (8)	16 (47)	2.88

All-time International Win/Loss

Last updated 19 September 2012

Club	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Tianjin Teda	4	1	2	1	5	5	0
LA Galaxy	1	0	1	0	2	2	0
Gamba Osaka	4	0	1	3	5	12	−7
Beijing Guoan	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1
Changchun Yatai	2	2	0	0	9	2	7
Kawasaki Frontale	2	1	0	1	1	4	−3
Chonburi FC	2	1	0	1	4	4	0
Seongnam Ilhwa	2	0	0	2	2	5	−3
Chunnam Dragons	2	1	1	0	3	1	2
Boca Juniors	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Guangzhou Evergrande F.C.	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Juventus	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3
Fulham	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3
Celtic	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Olympiacos	1	0	0	1	1	4	−3
China	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Wellington Phoenix	17	9	6	2	34	17	17
New Zealand Knights	6	6	0	0	19	3	16
Jeju United	2	0	1	1	2	3	−1

W-League Records and statistics

W-League Records

• Record Win: 5–0 vs Template:WLeague PG, Week Eight (Season 2011/12), 10 December 2011 & 5-0 vs Template:WLeague AU, Round Seven (Season 2012/13), 1 December 2012
• Record Defeat: 5-1 vs Template:WLeague SFC, 6 February 2011, Semi Final (Season 2010/11)
• Record High Attendance: 4181 vs Template:WLeague SFC, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 27 January 2012
• Most Goals by a Player in a Game: 3 – Caitlin Friend v Template:WLeague AU, Veneto Club, Bulleen, 19 November 2011 & Jodie Taylor v Template:WLeague PG, 6PR Stadium, Perth, 10 December 2011
• Most Wins in a Row: 3 – 3 November 2012 to 17 November 2012
• Longest Undefeated Streak: 7 matches - 1 December 2012 to 20 January 2013
• Most Goals In a Regular season: Jodie Taylor – 8 goals, 2011–12 W-League
• Longest Period Without Conceding a Goal: 316 minutes – 18 December 2010 to 23 January 2011. Goalkeeper: Brianna Davey (7 minutes) & Melissa Barbieri (309 minutes)

Most appearances

Maika Ruyter-Hooley holds the record for most league appearances with 54 (including finals) as of January 2013

Last updated 29 January 2013

Competitive, professional matches only.

	Name	Years	W-League	Finals	Total
1	Maika Ruyter-Hooley	2008–	50	4	54
2	Enza Barilla	2008–	40	4	44
3	Stephanie Catley	2009–	34	4	38
4	Amy Jackson	2010–	31	4	35
5	Caitlin Friend	2010–	27	3	30

Leading scorers

Jodie Taylor holds the record for most league goals with 12 (including finals) as of January 2013.

Last updated 29 January 2013

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

	Name	Years	W-League	Finals	Total	Games per goal
1	Jodie Taylor	2010–2012	12 (19)	0 (2)	12 (21)	1.75
=2	Jessica McDonald	2012–	7 (11)	0 (2)	7 (13)	1.86
=2	Caitlin Friend	2010–	7 (27)	0 (3)	7 (30)	4.29
=4	Laura Spiranovic	2011–	4 (12)	1 (2)	5 (14)	2.8
=4	Katrina Gorry	2009, 2011–2012	5 (17)	0 (1)	5 (18)	3.6
=4	Amy Jackson	2010–	5 (31)	0 (4)	5 (35)	7
=4	Enza Barilla	2008–	5 (40)	0 (4)	5 (44)	8.8

See also

• Sport in Australia
• Sport in Victoria

References

External links

• Official website
• AAMI Park
• MVFC Videos Melbourne Victory Videos