Melbourne Victory FC
| File:Melbourne Victory FC logo.svg Club crest | |
| Company type | Unlisted public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional football club |
| Founded | November 1, 2004 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Founder | Geoff Lord, Ron Peck, John Harris, Richard Wilson, Anthony Di Pietro |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Victoria and Australia |
Key people | Anthony Di Pietro (Chairman), Richard Wilson (CEO) |
| Products | Soccer team competing in A-League Men |
| Parent | Australian Professional Leagues (licensee) |
Melbourne Victory Football Club represents a professional soccer team based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club competes in the nation's top-tier men's league, the A-League Men, operating under a licence granted by the Australian Professional Leagues (APL). Victory entered the league during its inaugural season as the only team from Victoria.
Acknowledged as the second most decorated club within the league, Melbourne Victory has claimed four A-League Championships, three Premiership titles, one Pre-Season Challenge Cup, and two Australia Cup victories. This achievement makes them unique in securing all four major domestic trophies in contemporary Australian soccer. The club has made seven appearances in the AFC Champions League, most recently in 2020, advancing to the Round of 16 on two occasions before being eliminated by the eventual champions.
Home fixtures take place at AAMI Park, which accommodates 30,050 spectators and is situated in Melbourne’s central business district. Previously, Melbourne Victory hosted matches at various venues around Melbourne, such as Olympic Park Stadium, Docklands Stadium, and Kardinia Park.
Although supported across Melbourne and throughout Victoria, the club’s strongest following is concentrated in central Melbourne. Prominent rivalries include clashes with Melbourne City known as the Melbourne Derby, encounters with Sydney dubbed The Big Blue, contests against Adelaide United referred to as The Original Rivalry, and matches versus Western United called the Westgate Derby/Battle of the Bridge. Club records highlight Archie Thompson as the leading goal scorer with 97 goals and Leigh Broxham holding the record for most appearances with 405 games played.
Foundation Years (2004–2005)
Following the conclusion of the National Soccer League, Melbourne Victory Football Club was founded on 1 November 2004 to represent Melbourne in the newly established A-League. It was one of eight founding clubs. Established as an unlisted public company, its first chairman was Geoff Lord from Belgravia Leisure Pty Ltd, who provided significant financial backing. Other key investors included Melbourne businessmen such as Ron Peck, John Harris, future CEO Richard Wilson, and future chairman Anthony Di Pietro. Despite this diverse ownership group, they raised only $4.5 million of the $5 million minimum budget mandated by Football Federation Australia. As a result, Football Federation Australia contributed the remaining $500,000 but required a board position to oversee their investment.
The club appointed Ernie Merrick as its inaugural manager and selected former Sunshine George Cross defender Kevin Muscat as captain. Alongside marquee player Archie Thompson, both would become iconic figures for the club. Melbourne Victory’s first official match was a 1–1 draw against the Newcastle Jets on 22 July 2005 during the A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup. Their first home appearance took place on 30 July 2005 at Olympic Park, where they secured a 3–0 win over Perth Glory.
Merrick Period and Initial Triumphs (2005–2011)
The club's first campaign in the 2005–06 season concluded with disappointment despite leading mid-season, ending second from bottom. Nevertheless, under the guidance of manager Ernie Merrick and captain Kevin Muscat, alongside pivotal players such as Danny Allsopp, Archie Thompson, and goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos, the team achieved its inaugural league premiership and championship during the 2006–07 season. This success secured their debut qualification for the AFC Champions League. Archie Thompson notably netted five goals in the 6–0 grand final victory against Adelaide United FC, witnessed by a record attendance of 55,436 at Docklands Stadium. This triumph cemented a fierce rivalry with Adelaide United, often referred to as 'the cross-border rivalry' or 'the original rivalry', fueled by intense on-field encounters and a notorious confrontation between Muscat and Adelaide’s manager John Kosmina.
The 2007–08 season proved challenging due to injuries and the rigors of participating in their inaugural AFC Champions League campaign, resulting in narrowly missing out on finals qualification. However, strategic signings such as Carlos Hernández, Matthew Kemp, and Tom Pondeljak bolstered the squad’s depth for upcoming seasons.
During the 2008–09 season, Melbourne Victory reached a significant milestone by claiming its first treble: winning the final A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup, finishing as league premiers, qualifying again for the 2010 AFC Champions League, and capturing the championship by defeating Adelaide United before 53,273 fans—still ranking as the second-highest grand final crowd as of January 2019.
In the following 2009–10 season, Victory remained strong contenders but ultimately placed second behind Sydney FC, falling narrowly in a penalty shootout during the grand final. This season marked the last grand final appearances for both Merrick as manager and Muscat as captain. The subsequent 2010–11 season saw a decline to fifth place and an early finals defeat at the hands of Gold Coast United FC.
Leadership Transition: From Lord to Di Pietro and Club Rebuilding (2011–2013)
At the conclusion of the 2010–11 season, founding president Geoff Lord stepped down after overseeing two championships, two premierships, and a pre-season challenge cup victory. He was succeeded by shareholder and fruit industry leader Anthony Di Pietro, who had served alongside Lord as an inaugural director. Di Pietro had intermittently acted as interim president during Lord’s illness in 2011, making his formal public introduction at a Victory in Business luncheon. Alongside Lord's departure, original CEO Geoff Miles resigned, with mortgage industry businessman and shareholder Richard Wilson appointed internally prior to the 2011–12 season.
Following several unmet objectives both on and off the pitch, coach Ernie Merrick was dismissed after a heavy 5–1 defeat to Gamba Osaka in the 2011 AFC Champions League. Merrick’s replacement was initially Mehmet Duraković, followed later by Jim Magilton during the 2011–12 campaign. Concurrently, captain Kevin Muscat retired from playing and transitioned into an assistant coaching role, succeeding Aaron Healy. Additionally, inaugural football director Gary Cole departed, with former teammate and Socceroo Francis Awaritefe taking over.
Under Di Pietro and Wilson’s stewardship, the club secured Socceroos legend Harry Kewell, hailed at the time as 'the biggest signing in Australian sport'. Nonetheless, the 2011–12 season proved underwhelming, with Victory missing finals for only the third time in club history. Contributing factors included an aging roster, inexperienced coaching under Duraković before Magilton’s mid-season arrival, and inconsistent performances from Kewell. Late in that season, Magilton acquired future key players such as Mark Milligan and Adama Traoré. Duraković’s significant signing was nineteen-year-old goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, who would later secure multiple championships under coach Kevin Muscat.
Despite these challenges, the club rebounded impressively in 2012–13, rising from eighth to third place and narrowly losing 0–1 in the preliminary final to premiers Central Coast Mariners. This revival coincided with appointing premiership-winning coach Ange Postecoglou on a three-year deal. Postecoglou initiated extensive squad changes by releasing fourteen players and bringing in fifteen new talents including future standouts like Gui Finkler and goalkeeper Nathan Coe, both of whom would achieve significant individual and club honors in subsequent years.
Coaching Changes (2013–14 season)
During the 2013–14 campaign, Ange Postecoglou was in the midst of his second year under a three-year agreement as head coach when he was appointed to lead the Australian national team ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His final appearance managing Melbourne Victory occurred on 25 October 2013 against his former side, Brisbane Roar. The club's attempt to secure one million Australian dollars in compensation for his premature exit was ultimately unsuccessful.
Muscat Leadership and Renewed Success (2013–2019)
The unexpected promotion of former player and captain Kevin Muscat to head coach following Postecoglou’s departure in November 2013 initiated a new chapter that reestablished Melbourne Victory as a dominant force in Australian football. Muscat’s inaugural season concluded amid controversy, with the team denied late penalty appeals during both the A-League finals against Brisbane Roar and the AFC Champions League fixture versus Jeonbuk, leading to widespread criticism of officiating standards.
The 2014–15 season saw significant acquisitions including Besart Berisha, Carl Valeri, Daniel Georgievski, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, and Mathieu Delpierre, all of whom played pivotal roles in securing multiple honors. In March 2015, the club unveiled its team of the decade, featuring five players still active with the squad. Captain Adrian Leijer departed for a lucrative transfer to Chongqing Lifan in China, leading to Mark Milligan stepping into the captaincy role on an interim basis. After finishing atop the league table for the first time in six years, Victory clinched the grand final title with a 3–0 victory over Sydney FC. Goalkeeper Nathan Coe, honored in the team of the decade, retired shortly thereafter due to injury.
In the following seasons, Melbourne Victory remained competitive with variable outcomes. The 2015–16 season included winning the FFA Cup and reaching the round of sixteen in the AFC Champions League for the first time. Captain and marquee player Mark Milligan exited during preseason, replaced by Oliver Bozanic, while Carl Valeri assumed captaincy duties. Defender Thomas Deng was promoted from the youth setup. Long-serving players Mathieu Delpierre and Archie Thompson retired, and Valeri overcame a serious brain inflammation before returning later that season.
The 2016–17 season marked improvement with a second-place finish but culminated in a grand final loss to rivals Sydney FC, leveling both clubs’ records in premierships and championships. The squad was bolstered by returns of James Troisi and winger Marco Rojas, alongside defender James Donachie and several youth promotions.
During the successful 2017–18 campaign, challenges emerged including departures of key players Daniel Georgievski, Marco Rojas, and Nick Ansell, along with tactical criticism directed at Muscat. Mid-season roster changes involved selling captain Mark Milligan and defender Jason Geria while acquiring midfielder Terry Antonis. Despite obstacles, Victory secured fourth place, defeated Adelaide United in elimination finals, then overcame Sydney FC in a dramatic semi-final despite injuries to key defender Rhys Williams. They advanced to face Newcastle Jets—led by former coach Ernie Merrick—in the A-League’s inaugural regional grand final. A contentious early goal allowed despite an offside call due to video assistant referee malfunction helped Victory secure a 1–0 win amid an on-field altercation resulting in a ten-match suspension for Jets striker Roy O'Donovan. This triumph established Melbourne Victory as the most decorated club in A-League history by championship count and marked their first grand final win from fourth position. Subsequently, six grand final squad members departed, including Besart Berisha who transferred to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Following this achievement, Muscat embarked on an extensive recruitment campaign adding eight new players including World Cup participants and marquee signings such as Keisuke Honda and Ola Toivonen. Mid-season adjustments featured selling Nick Ansell and bringing in Elvis Kamsoba and Anthony Lesiotis—the latter becoming Victory’s first former Melbourne City player. Despite intensified competition and injuries limiting Honda’s contributions, the team finished third by a single point behind Sydney FC, necessitating playoff matches for AFC Champions League qualification. A heavy semi-final defeat to Sydney FC prompted Muscat’s resignation after fourteen years connected with Melbourne Victory as player, captain, assistant coach, and head coach.
Post-Muscat period (2019–2021)
After Muscat's exit, Melbourne Victory appointed Marco Kurz, previously head coach at Adelaide United, on a two-year contract in June 2019. During the squad overhaul, nine players departed, including retiring captain Carl Valeri, who shifted into a club administrative position. The team bolstered its roster with eight senior signings such as defender Adama Traoré and elevated youth academy defenders Benjamin Carrigan and Brandon Lauton. Ola Toivonen was designated captain for the 2019–20 campaign.
Kurz was relieved of his duties in January 2020 after only thirteen matches, having achieved four victories, three draws, and six defeats—the club’s poorest start to a season. At the time of his dismissal, Victory was positioned sixth with fifteen points, equalling their lowest points total after thirteen games. Assistant coach Carlos Pérez Salvachúa assumed caretaker responsibilities but left in May 2020 to return to Europe. Grant Brebner succeeded him as caretaker and was later confirmed as permanent head coach in August 2020.
Brebner’s leadership coincided with Melbourne Victory’s most challenging era. He was dismissed in April 2021 following a 7–0 thrashing by rivals Melbourne City, which came shortly after a 6–0 loss to the same opponent. Assistant coach Steve Kean was appointed interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020–21 A-League season. Under Kean’s guidance, Victory finished 12th—their lowest league standing ever—resulting in their first-ever wooden spoon.
Popovic tenure (2021–2024)
On 22 April 2021, Melbourne Victory named Tony Popovic as manager for the upcoming 2021–22 season. On 5 February 2022, Victory captured the 2021 FFA Cup Final by defeating Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at AAMI Park, marking Popovic’s inaugural trophy and securing the club’s second FFA Cup title. This event represented the final edition under the FFA Cup branding before the competition was renamed the Australia Cup from 2022 onward.
Prior to the 2022–23 A-League Men season, Victory acquired former Manchester United FC and Portugal national football team star Nani on a two-year deal, assigning him jersey number seventeen. Nani made his unofficial debut as a substitute during a friendly against Manchester United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 15 July 2022 before an audience of 74,157 spectators; the match concluded with a 1–4 defeat.
Analyst Michael Zappone identified Melbourne Victory as frontrunners for the A-League championship that season. Nevertheless, following the World Cup intermission, controversy erupted when the Australian Professional Leagues announced that the A-League Grand Finals from 2023 to 2025 would be hosted exclusively in Sydney rather than by the higher-ranked finalist’s venue. This decision provoked significant fan backlash, including a walkout during the Melbourne Derby on 17 December 2022. The fixture was abandoned after a pitch invasion and violent clashes involving players and officials.
In response, Football Australia issued a show cause notice to Melbourne Victory and imposed immediate penalties: suspension of ticket sales for home fixtures and closure of active supporter sections. On 9 January 2023, final sanctions were handed down comprising a $550,000 AUD fine, bans on organised active supporter groups for both home and away matches throughout the remainder of the season and finals series, along with a suspended deduction of ten points contingent on future fan misconduct until the end of the 2025/26 campaign. The club accepted these sanctions without appeal and pledged to disband involved supporter factions.
The interrupted Christmas Derby resumed on 5 April 2023, culminating in a 2–1 victory for Melbourne City.
In October 2022, investment company 777Partners made a strategic acquisition in Melbourne Victory. By February 2023, they had gained majority control of 70% ownership under a five-year agreement.
Melbourne Victory endured their worst opening half of a season during 2022–23, amassing only twelve points across fourteen matches and occupying last place on the ladder. To address performance issues, January transfer activity included signings such as Bruce Kamau, Damien Da Silva, Connor Chapman, Fernando Romero; Bruno Fornaroli was secured permanently alongside re-signings of William Wilson, Matthew Bozinovski, and Ben Folami.
On 23 April 2023 reports emerged that Victory’s board decided against extending Nani’s contract following his partial ACL injury; however, coach Popovic clarified that no definitive decision had been finalized.
The club concluded the season in eleventh position after a narrow defeat to Brisbane Roar but avoided bottom place courtesy of a late winning goal against Macarthur FC. This marked their third finish within the bottom two over four seasons and qualification for another Australia Cup playoff spot.
At the annual Victory Medal ceremony on 3 May 2023, mid-season acquisition Damien Da Silva earned Player of the Year honors despite featuring in only twelve matches—a club record for fewest appearances by an award recipient—while Bruno Fornaroli received both Players’ Player of the Year and Golden Boot accolades. Matthew Bozinovski was recognized as Young Player of the Year.
Following season-end announcements on 4 May included departures of first-year recruits Tomi Juric and Kadete alongside longtime goalkeeper Matt Acton and prospect Lleyton Brooks. Additional mid-season exits involved Noah Smith, Jay Barnett, Matthew Spiranovic (retirement), and Nicholas D’Agostino (transfer).
Also confirmed on 4 May was that assistant coaches Fabrizio Cammarata, Luciano Trani, and goalkeeper coach Peter Zoïs would not continue into the subsequent season; all had joined alongside Popovic in 2021.
Fan podcast For Vucks Sake described the 2022–23 campaign as "the worst in club history."
The subsequent season (2023–24) demonstrated notable progress: finishing third overall with ten victories and twelve draws. After overcoming Melbourne City on penalties in Elimination Finals and defeating Wellington Phoenix with a 2–1 aggregate scoreline in semi-finals, Victory advanced to the Grand Final but were defeated by Central Coast Mariners 3–1, concluding as runners-up.
Following the Grand Final, reports indicated Popovic was prepared to accept reduced remuneration to remain at the club amid contract discussions but ultimately departed upon learning that internal recruitment efforts targeted Melbourne City icon Patrick Kisnorbo by John Didulica—the very individual who initially brought Popovic to Victory.
Kisnorbo tenure (2024)
On 25 June 2024, Patrick Kisnorbo was named head coach of Melbourne Victory, agreeing to a three-year contract extending through the 2026/27 A-League Men's Season.
Before Kisnorbo took charge, the club parted ways with several players, including Salim Khelifi, Chris Ikonomidis, Stefan Nigro, Eli Adams, Ahmad Taleb, and former Johnny Warren and Victory Medal winner Jake Brimmer. Departures also included Damien Da Silva, Connor Chapman, Roly Bonevacia, Ben Folami, and Matt Bozinovski. Paul Izzo moved to Danish side Randers, while Leigh Broxham announced his retirement.
Melbourne Victory bolstered their squad by signing Josh Rawlins, Reno Piscopo, Jack Duncan, Jing Reec, Brendan Hamill, and Nikos Vergos—a former Real Madrid youth player reportedly earning AUD 600k annually on a two-year deal. They also secured Australian international goalkeeper Mitch Langerak for January 2025 following the conclusion of his contract with Nagoya Grampus. Additionally, Alex Menelaou, Daniel Graskoski, and Luka Kolic were promoted from the youth ranks to the senior squad.
Kisnorbo's leadership commenced positively with an unbeaten preseason campaign culminating in reaching the 2024 Australia Cup final. However, controversy arose when Daniel Arzani was omitted from the final roster amid speculation of a dispute during training linked to Arzani’s frustrations over offseason transfer matters. Melbourne Victory were narrowly defeated 1–0 by Macarthur in the final, marking their second significant final loss within that calendar year.
The 2024/25 season opened with a goalless draw against Central Coast Mariners followed by three consecutive victories before succumbing to Wellington Phoenix during Unite Round. After securing two additional wins, Victory occupied second place in the league standings when Kisnorbo unexpectedly resigned on 17 December 2024 to accept an assistant coaching role at Yokohama F. Marinos. His sudden exit just prior to the Melbourne Derby against Melbourne City prompted fan outrage and led to an emergency podcast from the prominent supporter group For Vucks Sake. The club’s management expressed regret over his departure and appointed assistant coach Arthur Diles as interim head coach.
Post-Kisnorbo period (2024–present)
In the aftermath of Patrick Kisnorbo’s exit, Melbourne Victory quickly installed Arthur Diles as interim manager. Diles’ inaugural match on 21 December 2024 versus Melbourne City concluded in a 1-1 draw. Despite enduring six matches without a win initially, he achieved his first triumph with a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC in the Big Blue. Following this success, Diles was confirmed as Head Coach for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
The squad was further reinforced by acquiring Lachlan Jackson and Alex Badolato, alongside contract renewals for Kasey Bos and Jordi Valadon. Under Diles’ guidance, Victory secured fifth place in the regular season, thereby qualifying for the finals series. They progressed past Western Sydney Wanderers with a 2–1 win in the elimination final and advanced to the semi-finals.
In May 2025, Melbourne Victory announced a friendly fixture against Welsh club Wrexham AFC as part of Wrexham’s Australian tour. The semi-final stage pitted Victory against premiers Auckland FC over two legs. After dropping the first leg 1-0 at home, Victory overturned the aggregate deficit through goals by Zinédine Machach and Bruno Fornaroli away from home to secure a place in the 2025 A-League Men Grand Final. The Grand Final held at AAMI Park attracted a record crowd of 29,902 spectators but ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to rivals Melbourne City—marking Victory’s second straight grand final loss.
Following the season’s conclusion, key players Kasey Bos and Ryan Teague transferred to European clubs Mainz 05 and Mechelen respectively. Former player Franco Lino returned on loan from Viking FK. Preseason preparations began with a 3-0 defeat against Wrexham AFC on 11 July 2025.
During the 2025 Australia Cup, Victory experienced an early exit after a thrilling 4-3 extra-time loss to Olympic Kingsway on 29 July 2025. Despite commendable performances from individuals such as Jordi Valadon, Victory were eliminated in the Round of 32—highlighting challenges ahead for the club’s competitive objectives.
Colours and badge
The colour scheme of Melbourne Victory—comprising navy blue, white, and silver—is inspired by Victoria's established state sporting colours. The traditional home uniform is predominantly navy blue, featuring a white chevron pattern commonly referred to as the "big V," which pays homage to the Victoria Australian rules football team. Away kits typically reverse these colours, presenting white shirts, shorts, and socks accented with a navy blue chevron; variations have also included grey and fluorescent yellow.
Currently, the home jersey is navy blue with a chevron that transitions from white at the base to navy at the top, complemented by matching navy shorts and socks. The away kit is entirely white and incorporates a yoke design influenced by the club’s home venue, AAMI Park, embedded within an asymmetrical chevron.
In 2008, the club introduced a different kit for the AFC Champions League because AFC regulations mandated player numbers on the front, which conflicted with the standard 'V' design. For the 2009–10 season, the away jersey swapped the home colours to white with a blue chevron. In 2010, Melbourne sported a TAC 'seatbelt' themed shirt during a charity campaign promoting seatbelt safety. Adidas took over as official kit supplier from 2011–12 for a five-year term following Reebok's contract conclusion, releasing kits that included a notably controversial fluorescent yellow away jersey. The 2013–14 away strip faced criticism for its lighter blue tone that resembled rival Sydney FC’s colours.
Kit evolution
- Home
| Template:Football kit box |
- Away
| Template:Football kit box |
Logos
| Standard logo | Inverted logo |
|---|---|
| For white backgrounds, the positive version with a silver outline is utilized. | When placed on colored backgrounds, the reversed variant with a white outline is applied. |
| Mono simplified logo - white | Mono simplified logo - navy |
| A simplified logo appears on colored backgrounds only when the size falls below the minimum threshold or for special treatments such as foiling, embossing, and embroidery. | Similarly, on white backgrounds, the simplified logo is limited to smaller dimensions or alternative finishing options. |
Sponsorship
Since 2005, Melbourne Victory has partnered with prominent brands that have elevated its commercial standing. From 2005 until 2009, South Korean electronics leader Samsung served as the club’s primary sponsor, prominently displayed on both home and away jerseys. In 2006, KFC became the sleeve sponsor. Following Samsung's departure in 2009, gaming firm Intralot secured a major sponsorship deal worth $2 million over two seasons.
For the 2010–11 season, law firm Florin Burhala Lawyers took on shorts sponsorship. In June 2011, human resources company Adecco Group replaced Intralot with a three-year major sponsorship contract that included front-of-shirt branding. At the same time, international sportswear brand Adidas was appointed official kit supplier under a five-year agreement.
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Front shirt sponsor | Back shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–09 | Reebok | Samsung | Samsung |
| 2009–11 | Intralot | La Ionica | |
| 2011–12 | Adidas | Adecco (home) EnergyWatch (away) | |
| 2012–14 | Adecco (home) Oliana Foods (away) | ||
| 2014–16 | Community Training Initiatives (home) Oliana Foods (away) | ||
| 2016–2017 | Optislim (home) Builders Academy (away) | ||
| 2017–2018 | Optislim & Optivite (home) Freestyle Foods (away) | ||
| 2018–2021 | Metricon | ||
| 2021–2022 | Macron | ||
| 2022–2024 | Bonza (regular season) AIA (finals) | ||
| 2024–25 | Dulux (Australia Cup)
Turkish Airlines (regular season) | ||
| 2025–present | Value Dental Centres (Australia Cup)
Turkish Airlines (regular season) |
AFC Competition Sponsorship
| Year | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Reebok | Samsung |
| 2010 | Care Park | |
| 2011 | ||
| 2014 | Adidas | Oliana Foods |
| 2016 | Greenwood Capital | |
| 2018 | Metricon | |
| 2019 | 'No sponsor' (group stage matchweek 1 only) TCL | |
| 2020 | Daikin | |
| 2022 | Macron | Sanctum-X |
Club songs
A number of songs are central to Melbourne Victory's identity, played at pivotal moments during games and enthusiastically adopted by the fanbase.
- Stand By Me by Ben E. King is performed as the players make their entrance onto the field, with supporters lifting their scarves in unison.
- Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes functions as a chant for goal celebrations and a player anthem, especially associated with former striker Besart Berisha.
- Victory The Brave, which is an adaptation of Scotland The Brave, was created by Jim Keays and Glenn Wheatley, and is played following every home victory.
- In January 2022, supporters voted to designate Freed from Desire by Gala as the official post-match celebration song, now played after every home win subsequent to Victory The Brave.
Stadiums
Melbourne Victory hosts all its home fixtures at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, commercially known as AAMI Park.
Olympic Park Stadium
During the 2005–06 season, the team originally held home games at the 50-year-old Olympic Park Stadium. This venue featured seated sections alongside standing terraces and attracted an average crowd of 14,158, filling approximately 77% of capacity. The vibrant atmosphere on match days became a valuable promotional asset for both the club and the league. Due to concerns regarding safety and potential for expansion, most home matches were shifted to Docklands Stadium starting from the 2006–07 season. Olympic Park remained in occasional use until its closure in 2009.
Docklands Stadium
Melbourne Victory made its debut at Marvel Stadium (then called Telstra Dome) on 2 September 2006, playing in front of 39,730 spectators and securing a 3–2 victory over Sydney FC. Following this successful event, nearly all home fixtures were relocated there. The larger capacity venue raised average attendance figures significantly to 27,728 during the 2006–07 season, surpassing other clubs in the A-League. The Grand Final was also hosted at Docklands.
Marvel Stadium served as the exclusive home ground while Melbourne Rectangular Stadium was under construction, opening for the 2010–11 season. In March 2016, Melbourne Victory extended its lease to continue hosting select major matches at Marvel Stadium through to the 2026–27 season. Nevertheless, this arrangement concluded in July 2021 when the club decided to stage all future home games solely at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
At Docklands, Melbourne Victory clinched their 2006–07 and 2008–09 premierships and championships. Additionally, the stadium functioned as the operational hub during the 2008 Pre-Season Cup, although that tournament’s final took place in Wellington, New Zealand.
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Prior to the 2006–07 campaign, plans were made for a new $190 million stadium located east of the Olympic Park precinct. Initially designed to accommodate around 20,000 fans with potential expansion up to 25,000 seats, completion was anticipated by 2009.
After Melbourne Victory declined to agree to a smaller capacity venue, the club became a founding co-tenant of a redesigned stadium with a seating capacity of 30,050 and provision for future growth up to 50,000. However, near-term expansion proved financially unfeasible amid Australia's bid for the 2022 World Cup.
Currently serving as both the operational headquarters and primary match venue for senior teams, it also occasionally hosts NYL/NPL and W-League fixtures. The club holds the record for highest soccer match attendance at this stadium and ranks second overall for any sporting event there. This milestone was set on 17 May 2015 during the 2015 A-League Grand Final, when 29,843 spectators witnessed Melbourne secure its third championship and first title at this ground. The stadium has also been the site of celebrations following victories in the 2014–15 premiership and 2015 FFA Cup.
Kardinia Park
The club's inaugural competitive fixture at Kardinia Park, then referred to as GMHBA Stadium, took place on 22 August 2007 against the Newcastle Jets during the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.
Due to the unavailability of AAMI Park and Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Victory hosted their Asian Champions League qualifying match versus Muangthong United at Kardinia Park (Simonds Stadium) on 15 February 2014.
Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Melbourne Victory committed to a three-year arrangement to hold one home game each year at Kardinia Park for the 2014–15, 2015–16, and 2016–17 campaigns. This agreement was subsequently extended in January 2017 to include the 2018–19 season.
Support
| Season | Members | Average H&A Attendance |
Total H&A Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | 14,908 | 14,167 | 141,668 |
| 2006–07 | 19,235 | 27,728 | 305,011 |
| 2007–08 | 22,611 | 26,064 | 260,642 |
| 2008–09 | 21,908 | 24,516 | 269,671 |
| 2009–10 | 22,526 | 20,750 | 290,503 |
| 2010–11 | 17,642 | 15,058 | 225,875 |
| 2011–12 | 18,047 | 19,208 | 268,916 |
| 2012–13 | 18,432 | 21,885 | 306,396 |
| 2013–14 | 22,021 | 21,808 | 283,507 |
| 2014–15 | 24,200 | 25,388 | 355,436 |
| 2015–16 | 27,436 | 23,112 | 300,452 |
| 2016–17 | 26,253 | 22,008 | 308,115 |
| 2017–18 | 26,120 | 17,489 | 262,334 |
| 2018–19 | 26,306 | 20,298 | 304,463 |
| 2019–20 | 23,633 | 17,366 | 173,362[lower-alpha 1] |
| 2020–21 | 19,100 | 5,823 | 69,873[lower-alpha 1] |
| 2021–22 | Not published | 9,893 | 138,504 |
| 2022–23 | Not published | 10,124 | 131,608 |
| 2023–24 | Not published | 12,227 | 158,947 |
| 2024–25 | Not published | 12,778 | 166,109 |
By 2007 Melbourne Victory boasted the largest fan base in Australia. The North End stands as the most prominent active supporter faction recognized for its fervent atmosphere.[1]
In early 2011 suspicions arose regarding the Horda group allegedly removing a banner from rival supporters of Melbourne Heart.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name This incident resulted in a ban on Horda banners and sparked protests from members of Northern Terrace.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Tensions among fans escalated alongside increased police presence during matches. On 2 February 2011 supporters conducted a silent demonstration by leaving the North Terrace vacant during a fixture against Newcastle Jets. Authorities confiscated a banner reading "No fans no past no future – without us you are nothing NT United."
Victoria Police voiced hesitation in providing security coverage for Melbourne Victory fixtures in February 2011 due to recurring fan violence and disorderly conduct including flare usage.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Following violent incidents at the December 28 match between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers on 3 January 2014 Football Federation Australia charged both clubs with bringing the sport into disrepute.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Since 2015 an independent fan podcast titled For Vucks Sake has been associated with the club.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Prominent Advocates
Competitive Rivalries
- Melbourne City (Melbourne Derby): Melbourne City's introduction in the 2010–11 season (initially as Melbourne Heart) established a fierce local rivalry with Melbourne Victory. The tension escalated following the dismissal of Victory's captain Kevin Muscat for a tackle on Adrian Zahra. To date, six former Victory players have joined City, with Mate Dugandžić making the first direct transfer in 2011; Anthony Lesiotis remains the sole player to move from City to Victory. During the 2020-21 campaign, City recorded dominant wins over Victory, including a 6–0 triumph at Marvel Stadium and a 7–0 victory at AAMI Park, where Jamie Maclaren netted five goals. The 40th Melbourne Derby in December 2022 was overshadowed by violent incidents involving flares and a pitch invasion that caused injuries to players and officials, leading to the match being abandoned and Football Australia enforcing supporter bay closures until mid-January 2023. The two clubs have clashed once in a grand final, with Melbourne City securing a 1-0 victory in 2025.
- Sydney FC (The Big Blue): Representing Melbourne's principal interstate adversary, Sydney FC's rivalry with Victory is fueled by the commercial significance of both cities. This rivalry is characterized by intense competition and strong fan rivalries, exemplified by Sydney narrowly clinching the Premiership over Victory in 2009–10 and winning the 2010 Grand Final. Victory later turned the tables by capturing both the Premiership and Grand Final titles in 2014/15. Subsequent finals saw Sydney triumph on penalties in 2016/17 and dominate semifinals in 2018 and again with a commanding 6-1 win that ended Kevin Muscat’s coaching tenure.
- Adelaide United (The Original Derby): This interstate rivalry mirrors broader tensions between South Australia and Victoria. Noteworthy incidents include a sideline confrontation between Adelaide’s manager John Kosmina and Victory captain Kevin Muscat during the 2006–07 season, as well as a spitting episode involving Victory forward Ney Fabiano in 2008–09 that resulted in disciplinary action. The teams faced off in the Grand Finals of both 2006–07 and 2008–09, with Melbourne Victory emerging victorious on both occasions.
- Western United (The Westgate Derby): Since Western United’s debut in the 2019–20 season as Melbourne’s third professional club, this rivalry has attracted considerable attention due to its fierce competitiveness and contentious moments. Western United claimed victory in their first encounter in November 2019 and secured several early wins, including an exhilarating 4–3 comeback triumph in February 2021 despite being reduced to ten men. Melbourne Victory ended their losing streak against Western United with an emphatic 6–1 win in May 2021. Additionally, six former Victory players have represented Western United across senior and youth squads.
Youth
- Players who have appeared in a first-team matchday squad for Melbourne Victory.
Corporate
| Period | Chairman |
|---|---|
| 2005–2011 | Australia Geoff Lord |
| 2011–2023 | Australia Anthony Di Pietro |
| 2023– | Australia John Dovaston |
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Since its foundation, Melbourne Victory FC has been owned by the unlisted public entity Melbourne Victory Ltd. The club's ownership structure comprises minor shareholders based in Melbourne alongside principal investors such as Premier Fresh Australia CEO Anthony Di Pietro, the Biasin family (who own Metricon and the Italian club U.S. Triestina), and the Miami-headquartered private equity firm 777 Partners. Although the shareholder base includes both local and venture capital interests, the club functions as a non-profit organization, with no profits distributed as dividends.
At its inception, Melbourne Victory faced challenges in securing the $5 million equity needed for its 2005–06 A-League launch. This shortfall led Football Australia to contribute around $500,000, acquiring a 10% ownership stake and representation on the board. Over time, the club has achieved significant commercial growth, with its valuation increasing from $19.2 million in 2014 to $40 million in 2018, and further rising to $50 million after a partial acquisition by 777 Partners.
Board members
- Chairman: John Dovaston
- Managing Director: Caroline Carnegie
- Director: Donald Dransfield
- Director: Carl Valeri
- Director: Kerry Anne Smith
Managerial history
* Italic indicates caretaker manager.
Club captains
A-League
- A-League Men Championship
- A-League Men Premiership
Cup Competitions
- Australia Cup
- A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
- Champions (1): 2008
Doubles and Trebles
- Doubles
- A-League Premiership and Championship achieved thrice: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15
Noteworthy Players
The players featured here satisfy several qualifications, such as securing major trophies, obtaining international caps during their tenure at the club, transferring with a fee involved, or receiving individual honors like the Joe Marston Medal, Johnny Warren Medal, or Victory Medal. Numerous individuals also rank among the club’s leading goal scorers or have surpassed 100 appearances.
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Season-by-Season Performance
... (Seasons abbreviated for conciseness) ...| Season | League/Division | Number of Teams | Regular Season Position | Finals Series Position | Challenge Cup | FFA Cup / Australia Cup | AFC CL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | A-League | 8 | 7th | Did not qualify | Semi-finals | Not contested | Did not qualify |
| 2006–07 | A-League | 8 | Premiers | Champions | Group stage | Not contested | Did not qualify |
| 2007–08 | A-League | 8 | 5th | Did not qualify | Group stage | Not contested | Group stage |
- Legend
- DNQ = Did not qualify
- DNPQ = Did not pre-qualify
- NC = Tournament not contested
- Finals Pos. = Position in league during finals series
- Regular Pos. = Position in league during regular season
- TBD = Tournament ongoing, result pending
- Number of Teams = Total teams in league
International Competition Record
See also
External links
- Melbourne Victory latest results – Up-to-date match outcomes for Melbourne Victory FC
| Season | Tournament | Stage | Opponent Club | Home Result | Away Result | Aggregate Score | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | OFC Champions League | Qualification Round | Adelaide United FC | 0–0 after extra time (Lost 1–4 on penalties) | ||||||||||
| 2008 | 2008 AFC Champions League | Group G | Jeonnam Dragons | 2–0 win | 1–1 draw | 2nd place among 4 | ||||||||
| Chonburi F.C. | 3–1 win | 1–3 loss |
- |
Gamba Osaka | 3–4 loss | 0–2 loss |
- |
2010 | 2010 AFC Champions League | Group E | Beijing Sinobo Guoan F.C. | 0–0 draw | 0–1 loss | 4th place among 4 |
| Seongnam FC | 0–2 loss | 2–3 loss | ||||||||||||
| Kawasaki Frontale | 1–0 win | 0–4 loss | ||||||||||||
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