MELBOURNEfc today effectively secured a major plank in achieving its strategic ambition of a long-term future in the MCG precinct, while also still pursuing other growth options.

The State Government announced an additional $1 million funding, thereby further securing MELBOURNEfc's plans to put its football and administration areas under one roof for the first time in over 25 years, with leverage gained from the new Melbourne Park stadium under construction in Olympic Boulevard.
 
CEO Steve Harris said: "The Club was the first to support the new stadium, and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to get there, which we did at the end of 2004. Under the original construction schedule, the Club was to have been operating in the new facility now, as part of the 150th celebrations, but the nature of prolonged negotiations with other parties, and resolving the ultimate size of the stadium, has led to a two year delay in the project.
 
"However frustrating that delay has been, the work has started, the designs are exciting, we have now fulfilled the funding needs, and we will now have a long-term future in the MCG precinct, with game day at the MCG, and non-game day activity in the shadows of our home ground.
 
"It is imperative that our supporters don't lose sight of the fact that our efforts to raise funding for the football department's resources and programs in sports science etc will continue as a priority, so the Club can continue to ensure its on-field competitiveness is not undermined by lack of resources.

"We still want to realise $1.858 million through the 150 Club by mid-year, and we are halfway there. We also still want to realise many more millions through the club's Red and Blue Circle, and our innovative bequest program, which is also on track to produce several million dollars.
 
"We have also been working on plans to give the Club growth options - not just within the existing heartland, but also in the growth areas of Melbourne - with a possible permanent summer-training facility at Casey Fields being scoped out. And beyond that, the work continues on TEAMelbourne strategy, which the State is also very supportive of, and on giving the Club the opportunity to leverage cultural and commercial ties with China.
 
"So in short, while MELBOURNEfc is still barely halfway there in terms of overcoming unsustainable debt, damaged brand, lack of premiership success, and general lack of ambition, the "there" is very tangible, and very achievable, as long as all elements of the Club, and all the stakeholders, do what can and should be done as those opportunities arise.
 
"If everyone gives the Club 100 per cent support, and true support, then the Club will have a very real chance of re-establishing itself as one of the very strong clubs of Melbourne."