A Victory for fans in share offering

FOR a lazy $1100, A-League fans can become a part owner of the embattled Melbourne Victory soccer club.

In the latest twist to the club’s boardroom brawl, outgoing Victory director Richard Wilson has come good on a threat to sell his group’s 16 per cent stake to supporters.

From 9am on Friday, Victory fans could buy a block of 500 or more Victory shares valued at $2.20 a pop.

Wilson — a foundation board member and former managing director — quit the Victory last week “as a result of a fundamental disagreement with the chairman (Anthony Di Pietro) and the board over the direction the club has taken”.

Club bosses hit back within hours, saying the board and a number of its shareholders “welcomed his exit”.

Victory is at the bottom of the A-League ladder and under mounting pressure from a disenchanted fan base.

“This is a historic time in the Australian football landscape,” Wilson said.

“The opportunity for fans, supporters and members to become shareholders in an ALeague club is potentially a game changer for all clubs.

“These new shareholders will now have a real voice in the future of Melbourne Victory, what it stands for and how it is being run.

“I think every other owner will be looking closely at the take up and interest in this share offer with a view to strengthening their club with a broader shareholder base.”

He said there were 2,310,000 shares on offer “with a minimum of 500-share parcels at a $2.20 per share price tag”.

The sale values the club as a $30m entity, with the 16 per cent stake controlled by Wilson’s group valued about $5m.

“The clubs need fans to become engaged at a deeper level to bring growth into the game and garnish the generational opportunities which only football brings in Australia,” Wilson said.

He said the share offer had been launched a melbourne victoryltdsharesale.com.au

The Victory meets crosstown rival Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday night.