EPL Fans and MCFC

[mcfc 68]

Obviously most Heart fans are going to be MHFC/MCFC fans first and foremost but from my experience many Oz football fans have an EPL second team.

I'd imagine Man City fans lag behind in the popularity stakes in Australia generally due to years of failure but those that happen to support both MCFC teams will be over the bluemoon.

Do you Heart fans think you will lose more fans (Man Utd MHFC supporters) because of this change than gain Man City fans that don't presently support an Australian team or even switch to MHFC/MCFC from another Australian football club?

[xXJawsaXx]

I really don't know, we will have to wait and see. It certainly won't hurt and I can see some Australian Man City fans adopting Heart. Me personally even though I support Swansea am excited about this and the opportunities it will bring. In the end it is still the same club to me, just a lot richer haha.

[Embee]

I think you'll find the vast majority of A-League fans will already have a team they support in the EPL (although I've seen a few on these forums mention they didn't really have any particular allegiance before City bought us).

 

In terms of popularity down here you've obviously got the 'big 4' (Arsenal, United, Liverpool and Chelsea) that have quite large fan bases and then sides like Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle (Newcastle share the same colours as our most heavily supported AFL team and as a result have a pretty decent fan-base down here) which garner a fair amount of fans also. You do encounter a few CIty fans here and there but as you mentioned your history of success is fairly recent so they haven't quite managed to build a strong following as of yet.

 

I don't think the buy out will lead to the Heart losing too many fans, most of us who already support an EPL can happily separate the competitive rivalry we have with City in the EPL from the love we hold for our Melbourne Heart. It will certainly increase our fan-base though, and not specifically because of the City connection alone (some may sway because of that) but because of the success the money will inevitably bring.

Edited January 25, 2014 by King Malta

[moops]

I don't know, I don't know anyone who follows man U and never liked them myself.

Even though I have allways kept an eye on LUFC, I can't say I was passionate and will see myself part of the City Group!

On the fourfourtwo Australian website, it seems most would see it as the great opportunity it is. Except for our rivals, ha ha ha.

[Libero]

Dont know of too many Man City fans at all (heaps of Man Utd though) but i'd say that the next gen of sokkah 'fans' in this country will support City because of their recent success. Bandwagons etc..

[tigerou812]

I think some will go being manu supporters but some will stay if the club doesn't change much. Some manu supporters don't care. I have followed Spurs 30 odd years but if the gooners had taken over the club I would still be here. Strewth I wear red and white anyway now so not a big deal for me. This my club in Oz and Spurs are my club in England. The red and white here aren't the gooner colours they are Hearts, the same way the tards aren't Spurs colours they are the tards. Must admit though do have a soft spot for ManC growing up most people I knew were liverpool or manu supporters and most of them had no idea that Spurs was even a club. Hate these two more than the gooners a least they play good football. Plus always liked the film There's Only One Jimmy Grimble.

 

Time will tell I just want all the clubs to do well and for football to grow and become the major sport here in OZ. Of course I want us to be the best. If Spurs can't win title/cups well I don't mind if City do just not at our expense 

[gundam]

I am a Manchester United supporter. At first I was shocked and upset about Man City taking over the club (along with us losing to Sunderland that morning), but I've gotten over it and decided that these things have to be kept separate. 

 

I see it as a great investment into Australian football and can only bring good things, infrastructure, footballing set up, business model, scouting networks and youth development.

I would heavily reconsider if we suddenly started playing in sky blue, because the identity of the club that I follow would be no longer the same..

[thedukeofhearts]

It depends how it all plays out. I know a few Man U fans and haven't had a real discussion with them but I think if we can keep our identity it will be ok, but if we are turned in to mini man city they well leave.

Other city fans of a league teams will stay with there own a league team I think. Might gain a few city supporters that don't have an a league team.

I think most people will sepeerate the two though and end up seeing man city as investors in heart rather than heart=man city. That's my hope anyway. I don't think it will be a big recruitment drive for either of us. Fans will follow heart for heart reasons and city fans will follow city fans because of city reasons. Although a lot of fans might get a soft spot for city

Edited January 25, 2014 by thedukeofhearts

[mcfc 68]

Thanks for all the responses, I guess as many of you have said or alluded too, time will tell, success will ultimately lead to a bigger following for the Heart but it's not going to happen overnight and your core support will always be there. I am pleased to see so many EPL teams represented in your ranks and how open minded most fans are.

I am already starting to find myself drawn to your club and having no other prior allegiance to an Australlian football club I will have no qualms now in saying so to any Australian football fans I speak to in the future.

[M13]

Well, as a mate of mine said once.. Just because you like a girl you don´t have to date the whole family

I´m sure there will be MCFC fans following say Sydney and Heart fans following Liverpool and so on.. no big deal really

[HEARTinator]

Obviously most Heart fans are going to be MHFC/MCFC fans first and foremost but from my experience many Oz football fans have an EPL second team.

I'd imagine Man City fans lag behind in the popularity stakes in Australia generally due to years of failure but those that happen to support both MCFC teams will be over the bluemoon.

Do you Heart fans think you will lose more fans (Man Utd MHFC supporters) because of this change than gain Man City fans that don't presently support an Australian team or even switch to MHFC/MCFC from another Australian football club?

I think you'll find that most of us can separate the following of an overseas club from our local teams. I don't have strong feelings for any EPL (or La Liga, Serie A, etc) team even though I watch games when I can and have done for decades. If anything I followed the fortunes of Australians in England - Craig, Harry, Dukes, etc. I'm not going to go out and buy MCFC merch but I'll continue to follow its fortunes with interest because they play a good brand of football and their players are very handy LOL. I support Australian football first, second and third - that's it. So I welcome and support the investment in HeartFC but not at the complete wiping out of what the fans have beed trying to build. Cheers.

[ForestHeart]

I have followed Nottingham Forest since the eighties so won't be switching allegiance's due to a ManC partnership . Always preferred ManC to ManU anyway .... so ManC can be the EPL side a take an interest in .... until Forest are promoted ( at the end of this season )

[RFC56]

I've followed Sunderland for over 30 years as my wife was born there, so I've just adopted Man City as my second EPL team. I'm happy Sunderland got through to the Capital One Cup but don't expect them to win against City. I've never liked ManU anyway but won't hold it against any Heart fan who follows them. 

[Deluka]

I've always been a Sunderland supporter with a soft spot for Arsenal and Manchester City (I've always hated Man United), buy my soft spot for Manchester City has grown quite substantially in the previous days! I still hope Sunderland continue the trend and win the league cup final 1-0 though!

[DukeVader]

I've always watched the EPL but never had a team to support. Would watch the big games and the ones I had a multi on (lol).. But a few seasons ago a few mates and I were all the same boat and decided to support a good team but not a bandwagon one, so we chose Newcastle.. I think it was the season with Demba Ba n Andy Carroll up front. But really having no real allegiance to them, besides choosing them in FIFA, owning a couple of fake jerseys from Thailand, never being to England in my life (but going at the end of the year) and as all Melbourne Heart foundation members we would all be more than happy to swap to Manchester City because now I feel we have a real reason to get behind someone.

[Nate]

I'm a City fan as well as a Heart fan so this news was just too good.

 

Hopefully Heart can keep its own identity and fan culture intact though.

[Ando]

Leeds.

[ThePolo]

Middlesbrough purely because dad is from there

[mcfc 68]

I have followed Nottingham Forest since the eighties so won't be switching allegiance's due to a ManC partnership . Always preferred ManC to ManU anyway .... so ManC can be the EPL side a take an interest in .... until Forest are promoted ( at the end of this season )

I would like to see Forest make the play offs,I still remember sitting on the floor in a Dutch family home as a 12 yo with no recollection as to why right now, yet again, watching Forest win in Munich made my week and I'm not a forest fan So every football fan has memories, favourites and influences, it just depends.

Football is a creeping experience and hindsight a wonderful thing, the two shift like the sands, Then there is luck.

All three count and I really enjoyed the stadium porn btw.

[mcfc 68]

I've followed Sunderland for over 30 years as my wife was born there, so I've just adopted Man City as my second EPL team. I'm happy Sunderland got through to the Capital One Cup but don't expect them to win against City. I've never liked ManU anyway but won't hold it against any Heart fan who follows them.

I'm so much more looking forward to this Wembley final atmosphere than otherwise. Should be a top day, any team can defy the bookies and It's not as if you've not noticed is it? Edited January 26, 2014 by mcfc 68

[Rutherglen Rambler]

I support Chelsea in the EPL. I have supported them all my life, as my dad is from there, and he and my uncles support them!

I will still support Chelsea going forward, but I will now have a keener interest in Manchester City also!

It's funny, I'm really wanting to get on board with New York City in the MLS, but being a massive New York Mets fan, I had been put off because of the New York Yankees investment in the team! (New York Yankees are the Man U of the MLB)

Upon giving it more thought though, I'm ok with it, because it's just business at the end of the day.

I'm absolutely delighted that Manchester City have decided to invest heavily in our future, so I am going to return the favour by getting on board with New York City, as I don't have an MLS team yet.

The only non negotiable with me, are our colours!

[mcfc 68]

I've always been a Sunderland supporter with a soft spot for Arsenal and Manchester City (I've always hated Man United), buy my soft spot for Manchester City has grown quite substantially in the previous days! I still hope Sunderland continue the trend and win the league cup final 1-0 though!

Oh Adam Johnson, he played in blue and white

Oh Adam Johnson, he makes your full back look shite (thought he'd win that game for you but was mistaken, as were you, go on, admit it?

We'll see but looking forward to it.

Pablo Zabaletta he is the ....ing man

[CityHeart]

it is an interesting question, but due to the low levels the Heart are at (fan base and on field), it can only really grow. Man City is a growing brand globally, but obviously a long way behind the likes of Liverpool and Man u.

 

What would be interesting is hypothetically seeing Liverpool (huge fan base here) or Man U buying a club, and it becoming a mini-me.

 

I mean sure the Liverpool game got 100K as a one-off, but it would be interesting to see what kind of week to week support the strongest of EPL brands would bring.

[carlings]

Birmingham City fc , bluenose. Carling cup winners 2010/2011. Their president went to jail for being a dodgy cunt, now we are barely surviving in the championship. Shit on the villa!!!! I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only bluenose in aus! We signed zigic (tallest player in epl) almost as good as misfire.

[Heart Inaugural]

Have a mate who was a member in season 2 but gradually lost interest and has now switched to the Visitors as he's a Liverpool fan and can't back a City-funded club.

 

Disappointing but can't imagine too many switching across because of the buyout

[mcfc 68]

Australian football needs Australian roots and talent and that is a guarantee with your new owners.

As for history, it's created, granted, but change is guaranteed, every dog and all that. History just depends on how old you are, or when you came around.

As for other British clubs getting involved investing in Australian football, I'd welcome it.

[M13]

Taking a controlling interest in anything is such a sensitive subject.. Be it a business or a club as in this case. So much can go wrong for various reasons and the top brass knows this.
That´s why there will be these months "to listen and learn" before anything is decided for real.
But one thing that is clear from various statements the last year is that the main vehicle for gaining fans anywhere must be what is produced on the pitch.
Branding, social media, fan culture etc etc.. All very good but the belief is that really good players playing in an entertaining way is the best P.R you can get.

[Shahanga]

Have a mate who was a member in season 2 but gradually lost interest and has now switched to the Visitors as he's a Liverpool fan and can't back a City-funded club.

 

Disappointing but can't imagine too many switching across because of the buyout

 

He probably switch back again when we start winning (and leave if we lose a few).  Not exactly a hard core supporter.  I tihnk the liverpool thing (who I also support) is just a smoke screen. 

[Shahanga]

Taking a controlling interest in anything is such a sensitive subject.. Be it a business or a club as in this case. So much can go wrong for various reasons and the top brass knows this.

That´s why there will be these months "to listen and learn" before anything is decided for real.

But one thing that is clear from various statements the last year is that the main vehicle for gaining fans anywhere must be what is produced on the pitch.

Branding, social media, fan culture etc etc.. All very good but the belief is that really good players playing in an entertaining way is the best P.R you can get.

Good call.

 

Seen a few go wrong at my work.  Success requires a cultural fit.  I think we have that.  In our short history we were going the road of City's "school of hard knocks", but had the dream of a club with a strong youth production line that played beautiful football, but lacked the resources to make it truly possible.  Now the Blue Overlords are promisng the resources to fulfill our dream.  Perfect Fit.

[mcfc 68]

Birmingham City fc , bluenose. Carling cup winners 2010/2011. Their president went to jail for being a dodgy cunt, now we are barely surviving in the championship. Shit on the villa!!!! I wouldn't be surprised if I was the only bluenose in aus! We signed zigic (tallest player in epl) almost as good as misfire.

Go on then, blue nose is more a Brum term than City's in my experience, it's actually yours, but we have started using it in certain quarters. Arsenal cup win was so important and I know, I have a blue nose mate, as for Villa, shit on the windows, shit on the doors, shit all over.....

Then again Villa fans haven't wronged me so as Birmingham is Englands third City, it's a tie.

City fans know what's it like being on their Todd.

[Sash]

In the short term, I don't think it will make a huge difference either way. I'm sure some City fans will jump on board while some Heart/United fans will have to work out for themselves how they feel about it.

 

But a City fan I know commented to me on how much publicity this has given City in Melbourne - front and back pages of both newspapers (great photo of Aguero on back page of Hun) and every TV and radio news service when the news came out. And across the country too. It transcended sport to become big news. And apart from what you might call some casual Arab racism, it's been very positive. In an AFL dominated town and media, that's pretty much unheard of.

 

If done well, this has the potential to benefit both clubs quite a lot. Mainly us of course, but I think a lot of people who aren't either Heart or City supporters will appreciate the committment and investment City are putting into the game here. Tied in with winning titles and playing superb football, the City 'brand' can take off in this part of the world.

Edited January 26, 2014 by Sash

[mcfc 68]

I am a Manchester United supporter. At first I was shocked and upset about Man City taking over the club (along with us losing to Sunderland that morning), but I've gotten over it and decided that these things have to be kept separate. 

 

I see it as a great investment into Australian football and can only bring good things, infrastructure, footballing set up, business model, scouting networks and youth development.

I would heavily reconsider if we suddenly started playing in sky blue, because the identity of the club that I follow would be no longer the same..

Have to acknowledge this.

As HEARTinator stated it's about Australian root football first and foremost but everybody can learn a thing or two from this lot.

[jw1739]

Upon giving it more thought though, I'm ok with it, because it's just business at the end of the day.

 

One of the most important points made so far. Well said mate.

 

Don't delve too closely into who's behind everything in our lives - it's a globalised world nowadays - the beer you drink, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bank that lends you money, the car you drive - and much of the time you can't find out who really owns what because they are hidden behind the word "nominees."

 

I'll steal the word "seismic" from someone else, but this is a seismic moment in Australian association football. On Thursday Cinderella was transformed into the Belle of the Ball. I see the words "glamour club" being used to describe Heart in today's newspaper. I don't think anyone would have thought that possible a week ago.

 

Manchester City's entry into Australia is just the first step in what will inevitably follow from other overseas interests and into other A-League clubs. It promises growth and prosperity not only for Heart but also the rest of the game.

 

Bring it on.

[Rellum]

 

I am a Manchester United supporter. At first I was shocked and upset about Man City taking over the club (along with us losing to Sunderland that morning), but I've gotten over it and decided that these things have to be kept separate. 

 

I see it as a great investment into Australian football and can only bring good things, infrastructure, footballing set up, business model, scouting networks and youth development.

I would heavily reconsider if we suddenly started playing in sky blue, because the identity of the club that I follow would be no longer the same..

Have to acknowledge this.

As HEARTinator stated it's about Australian root football first and foremost but everybody can learn a thing or two from this lot.

 

If we are going to win big titles in Asia then we are going to have to drag the rest of the A-League and Aus football with us, and that is great for all. The salary cap demands all teams are roughly equal.

[Rellum]

 

 

Don't delve too closely into who's behind everything in our lives - it's a globalised world nowadays - the beer you drink, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bank that lends you money, the car you drive - and much of the time you can't find out who really owns what because they are hidden behind the word "nominees."

My opinion is the complete opposite to this my friend. How can you just hand over everything without questioning, that I personally can't comprehend. Even a quick look into our new owners shows some shocking accusations.

[jw1739]

 

 

 

Don't delve too closely into who's behind everything in our lives - it's a globalised world nowadays - the beer you drink, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bank that lends you money, the car you drive - and much of the time you can't find out who really owns what because they are hidden behind the word "nominees."

My opinion is the complete opposite to this my friend. How can you just hand over everything without questioning, that I personally can't comprehend. Even a quick look into our new owners shows some shocking accusations.

 

I think you're really making my point. There's possibly nothing in our lives other than ourselves that has the integrity that we would wish for. I'm not suggesting that anyone should do anything without asking questions. Rather that to avoid disappointment it's often prudent to avoid delving too far. It's a matter of personal choice how far each of us wants to go.

[Rellum]

 

 

 

 

Don't delve too closely into who's behind everything in our lives - it's a globalised world nowadays - the beer you drink, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bank that lends you money, the car you drive - and much of the time you can't find out who really owns what because they are hidden behind the word "nominees."

My opinion is the complete opposite to this my friend. How can you just hand over everything without questioning, that I personally can't comprehend. Even a quick look into our new owners shows some shocking accusations.

 

I think you're really making my point. There's possibly nothing in our lives other than ourselves that has the integrity that we would wish for. I'm not suggesting that anyone should do anything without asking questions. Rather that to avoid disappointment it's often prudent to avoid delving too far. It's a matter of personal choice how far each of us wants to go.

 

I know what you are saying. I am the sort of person who looks into just about every major purchase I make to check on the ethical standards of whom I am dealing with, but some things you have limited control over like clothes and cars. If you are prepared you can find ways around those limitations, but owners of your football club are much harder .

[HeartMillsy29]

I'm a Spurs fan with a soft spot for Newcastle (family heritage) and now I guess I have another one for Man City. Not the best week to gain that soft spot though! If you're a true Heart supporter you will recognise the benefits in this and continue to support the team no matter what EPL club you support. 

[Dylan]

Never followed the EPL much myself. I am more of an Eredivisie follower (well as much as I can) Guess I have a soft spot for a certain EPL club now

[tigerou812]

I'm a Spurs fan with a soft spot for Newcastle (family heritage) and now I guess I have another one for Man City. Not the best week to gain that soft spot though! If you're a true Heart supporter you will recognise the benefits in this and continue to support the team no matter what EPL club you support. 

Yay another Spurs fan.   This is my club in Oz I don't think red and white as the Arse they are Hearts if they (Arse) had taken over the club this is still my club here in Australia.

Edited January 26, 2014 by tigerou812