Football finds a Home | Thebigtip

“We're Melbourne born, We're Melbourne bred, We're united and we're off our heads…”

Football played in a rectangular stadium?  Yes, it is true, it does happen, and it has happened. Football, of the global variety, now has a new home in Melbourne, and it has brought us closer to the action like never before.

Melbourne Victory planted their studs on the new AAMIPark pitch for the first time last night, in front of a boisterous 18,000 strong crowd, and on first impressions, this stadium is going to consolidate Football’s place in the Melbourne sporting landscape.

Melbourne’s previous Football homes at Olympic Park, and Etihad Stadium were never the answer for Victorians passionate fans.  Both arenas left spectators too far back in the distance, not only from the field, but from each other.  One of the beautiful aspects of being at a game of World Football is the chanting, and crowd interaction.  AAMIPark has strengthened this like never before.

“We’re North End we’re North End we’re North End over here…..We’re East End we’re East End we’re East end over here….We’re South End we’re South End we’re…….”.  A ticket to last nights game will have had you involved in this example of full stadium crowd interaction, and it was enough to raise the hairs on the back of the neck.  The Bubble-Roof acts as a great amplifier for the crowd’s singing and chanting, creating an atmosphere that would make the Balmy Army proud.

We no longer have to watch Football over an Athletics track, or in the middle of an AFL oval.  The action is right on our grills.  We can hear the kicks, we can take part in the sledging, and we can feel the tackles.  One can only imagine how thrilling it will be to be right on top of some of those bruising Rugby hits in the NRL.

After spending a couple of years seeing a variety of Football matches in Europe, it is easy to vouch for how much better it is for spectators, being in a proper football stadium.  Etihad Stadium games had no personality; it was not designed for the world game.  The pitch was the wrong shape, and we as spectators were too far away.  Now, we have a home we are comfortable in, a home we can make our own, and a cauldron that will become an effective twelfth man on the pitch.

While the game itself was a fizzer last night, but there was no denying the feeling around the ground.  If only Melbourne had gotten up, we may still be there chanting  â€œWe are the Melbourne, The Melbourne Victory, And we are mental, And we are mad, We are the loyalest, Football supporters, The world has ever had...”

Were you at the Melbourne Victory, or Melbourne Heart's first game at AAMI Park?  How did you enjoy your experience there?  Have your say below.

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