VFL shot for the stars

Papers reveal plan to move club

A RADICAL plan to relocate a Melbourne club to Los Angeles in 1988 is detailed in documents uncovered by News Corp.

The LA Crocodiles would have played home matches at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena or the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The audacious proposal had the backing of football administrator Allen Aylett, who was consulting for the league on potential club mergers and relocations.

A formal submission was presented to the VFL commission in September 1987, but it was rejected at a board meeting a month later.

Aylett — the VFL’s chairman from 1977-84 and a key player behind South Melbourne’s shift to Sydney in 1982 — approached a WA consortium about financing the relocation of a club to Canberra before the group presented the Californian plan.

“It is proposed to relocate an existing Melbourne team to Los Angeles, preferably in time for the 1988 season,” the submission declared.

“The team would return to Melbourne four times a year, play three games within a twoweek period, and then return to Los Angeles.

“Eight teams would fly to Los Angeles once a year to play one away game.

“Most games would be played during the northern summer, and, therefore, night games would be held during June, July and August.

“A day game would be arranged in San Francisco, and possibly Seattle.

“We have had discussions with VFL clubs who have expressed strong interest in our proposal.”

The submission — in a cache of documents unearthed by News Corp — said of the LA Crocodiles moniker: “The name would allow Americans to instantly identify with Australia . . . and arouse their interest to inquire further.

“All existing club debts would be discharged . . . and preference would be given to a team with younger, single players so that a relocation would be less disruptive.

“Jumpers would be redesigned, but the existing colours may be retained.”

The WA consortium, led by property developer Errol Marron, had offices in the US and signed Continental Airlines as a sponsor and carrier.

A letter from the airline said: “We would be delighted to participate in the proposed relocation of an Australian football team to be relocated in Los Angeles . . . we would not hesitate to be involved as the official carrier and be sponsors of this proposal.”

A fax from Aylett to Marron on September 14, 1987, reveals VFL chairman Ross Oakley requested that a press conference announcing the LA proposal be delayed until after that year’s Grand Final.

“I had a long conversation with Ross Oakley on Friday and was pleased to hear after you had a phone conversation with him that you decided not to go ahead with the press conference,” Aylett wrote.

“Ross was not against a public statement at the appropriate time.

“Errol, the more definitive statements that can be made at that time including a real positive interest from a club, the more impact the press conference will have.”

In another letter from Marron to Oakley on September 11, 1987, the property tycoon wrote: “Further to our conversation regarding our proposal to relocate a VFL team in Los Angeles . . . we will respect your requests and not make any announcement to the media prior to the Grand Final.

“The proposal is in its final stages and will be forwarded in the near future.”

Asked about his recollections, Oakley, 75, said: “We were at a stage where we were prepared to look at anything — but I’ve got to say this was one of the more way out concepts put to us.”