Welcome to issue #1 of the "Blue & White Brigade" newsletter.  The dream is to one day unveil a full colour hard copy. These things take time, effort, finance, and a hell of a lot of passion; Of all of those factors, we can safely say that the latter we have plenty.

I am hoping that this mailing list will grow to astronomical proportions as the A-league season progresses.

In this introductory edition, I hope to give an insight into who we are and what we hope to achieve.

"Last week's match was the beginning of the beginning. Melbourne Victory was launched on the Victorian sports public in the best possible way, and the signs are good that this promises to be a dynasty which will live long into the future. People will reminisce for years to come about the first game, the first goal, the first VICTORY!!!"

Similarly, the birth of the "Blue & White Brigade" occurred on the same evening. Saturday, July 30 at the renowned establishment, Elephant & Wheelbarrow on Bourke St. Post match drinks turned into a mass throw of ideas as a group of 10 odd, coined some fantastic innovations.

As avid followers of the world game, we have been starved of top quality Football for way too long here in this country. Many of us admire the action on the terrace's almost as much as the happenings on the field. The spectacular visuals and the constant chorus like chanting by European and South American fans is something that we have long admired and wished to be part of. Our ideas and willingness to partake in something similar had been in the lap of the gods until the A-League was formed. Now, through our combined love of Football and our home town, Melbourne, the reality of it all is within reach.

MVFC already has a devoted supporter group, The UNION. We will we will not detract from them. We understand the amount of work they have put in and respect that they be known as the 'original' Victory supporter group. The BWB will not be a 'rebel' group that will go against the Union. We are all there to support the same team and to create as much of an electric atmosphere as possible. We hope to work closely with them once the season gets under way and some contact has been made thus far.

It is imperative that we abide by the laws which govern us. I will use the Flare issue as its the one most covered by the media this year. They are banned inside sporting stadiums, so therefore, no member of BWB will be permitted in lighting one. Racial chants, or chants sung in bad taste will not be permitted.

 

Like the Union, which we hope to be situated alongside, everyone is welcome to come stand, cheer, sing to your hearts content next to us. We will be employing the same code of ethics as the Union. We will have a zero tolerance policy on this.

 

It costs nothing to join BWB. We hope to produce t-shirts and will try to keep prices to a minimum. All we ask is that you come and support your team in attempt to get them over the line to ...Victory!!

 

Launch date for our inaugural appearance at the North end (City end) of Olympic Park is set for Round 2, Saturday September 4. Work has begun on our banner and I am proud to unveil our logo which is attached.

 

Please feel free to access our temporary forum http://www.bluewhitebrigade.tk

 

Please direct all questions to either Cala or myself at the e-mail addresses listed below. Everyone is welcome and the more numbers we get to each home game the better. Whether you be UNION or BWB, we hope to lift the roof off the two grandstands!