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The following is the history of Melbourne Victory FC.
Contents
Beginning
See also: 2005–06 Melbourne Victory season
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
See also: 2006–07 Melbourne Victory 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
See also: 2007–08 Melbourne Victory 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
See also: 2008–09 Melbourne Victory 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 Central Coast Mariners !Central Coast Mariners.
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
See also: 2009–10 Melbourne Victory 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 Gold Coast United, 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
See also: 2010–11 Melbourne Victory 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. Victory signed 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 Djulbic 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 soccer 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
See also: 2011–12 Melbourne Victory season
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 soccer 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
See also: 2012–13 Melbourne Victory 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 statewide Victory League based in Tasmania.
On 18 October 2012 Daniel Allsopp announced his retirement from professional soccer after four games from the new season. while Nathan Coe returned to Australia to sign with Melbourne Victory on a three-year deal. on 24 October 2012.
During January transfer window, Petar Franjic, Isaka Cernak & Julius Davies were released and replaced by Francesco Stella, Jesse Makarounas, Jason Geria & Scott Galloway. Former Adelaide United defender Daniel Mullen was loaned from Dalian Aerbin to replace injured Nicolas Ansell for the rest of the season.
Melbourne Victory finished the season in third place in the ladder and lost to Central Coast Mariners in final series semi final but they are qualified for 2014 Asian Champions League if Australia is given 2.5 slots based on the 2013 AFC Champions League evaluation.
On 18 April 2013, a few days before the previous season ended, Marco Rojas quit Melbourne Victory to pursue his career in Europe after Melbourne Victory was defeated in the final series semi final. On the following day, Tando Velaphi, Diogo Ferreira, Sam Gallagher and Spase Dilevski were released from the club.
2013-14 season
See also: 2013–14 Melbourne Victory season
The 2013–14 season is Melbourne Victory's ninth season in the A-League.
On Monday 13 May 2013, Melbourne Victory announced their first signing of the season by signing Brisbane Roar Mitch Nichols on a two-year deal, reuniting him with his former Roar manager Ange Postecoglou. He became Postecoglou’s first new signing ahead of the 2013/14 A-League season. On 9 June it was speculated that Melbourne Victory is the prime club looking to sign Greek national team captain, Giorgos Karagounis, after it was confirmed he was to be released by Premier League club Fulham. After it was confirmed the Karagounis talks had come to a halt, Fulham then had second thoughts about the release and decided to pursue Karagounis' signature, which in the end they did. Argentine Marque player Marcos Flores was released with mutual consent on 5 July. Following Flores' departure to Central Coast Mariners, Victory attempted to sign Italian international Fabrizio Miccoli as their marquee player however he signed with U.S. Lecce. Following these two disappointments for the Melbourne Victory stakeholders, the victory hosted one of the most notable sporting events in Australian Sporting history. This game was Melbourne Victory against Liverpool at the MCG in front of 95,446 spectators. The full Liverpool squad was brought to Melbourne, including stars such as Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Kolo Touré, Simon Mignolet, and Brad Jones. Melbourne lost the game 0-2 in what was considered a 'thriller', and has since sparked rumours of the development of a sister club relationship. Following the Liverpool match, Kosta Barbarouses was signed on a 3-year deal. On 17 September, Adrian Leijer handed over the captaincy role to Mark Milligan. Following two failed marquee signing attempts, Melbourne finally got their marquee on 22 September 2013, signing Chile international Pablo Contreras. Days after the signing of Contreras, Melbourne secured Socceroo James Troisi on a one-year loan deal from Italian club Atalanta. Brent McGrath trialled for the Victory following a failed trial with Melbourne Heart, but nothing came of it in Melbourne, only to sign with Adelaide United weeks later. Andreas Govas trained and made a few appearances for the Victory in pre-season games, but was later confirmed that he "wanted to keep fitness".