At the end of the 2000 season, when the club was demoted to D3 (or F) section, the club established a key goal that it would reach C-Section by 2005 and A-Section by the end of the decade.

These goals were re-affirmed at the end of 2001, along with a mission statement of “Celebrating community football in the heart of Fitzroy” and a number of Values and Characteristics which sustain the club in its proposed rise through the grades of the VAFA.

The club has forged strong links with the local community through the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, Edinburgh Cricket Club, the City of Yarra and other community organizations, establishing itself as one of the most successful ‘district' VAFA clubs and with a very high profile. Since 1998, it has also established an ongoing association with the Fitzroy Football Club which provides significant financial backing to the club through its major sponsorship. A strong association has also been established with the Brisbane Lions AFC.

An under 19 team was also established in 2002, which is a vital initiative for the future survival of the club, a requirement for existence in higher sections and a crucial link between the club and the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, a key feeder for the Reds.

The club has grown rapidly in five years between 2001 and 2006 and achieved the first goal of C-Section by 2005. The club has managed five premierships, three runners up and numerous finals appearances in that period. However the club has recorded significant operating losses in recent years, with costs increasing substantially due to higher grades, larger number of teams including an under 19 team and increasing professionalism. Revenue has also increased but has not grown sufficiently to offset these cost increases. The club has no financial reserves and is unable to invest in the future or create a strong financial base to establish the club in the upper grades of the VAFA.

In 2007, the club has a new executive, new senior and reserve coaching staff (led by Old Redder Steve Maus) and many new players, following the retirement of several key players and movement of a number of players interstate or overseas. This has injected fresh ideas and enthusiasm into the club.

The new executive has put a vigorous social calendar in place, renewed efforts in sponsorship and is devising improved systems for financial management. Significant savings have been identified in the 2007 football operating budget.

•  practical, ongoing general acknowledgement of your contribution (potentially as part of the upcoming redevelopment of the grandstand at Brunswick Street Oval possibly via a brick in the grandstand redevelopment or a ‘walk' / plaque / honour board, depending on the overall level of commitment received);
•  specific acknowledgement of the target of your contribution;
•  entry to foundation lunch at a selected Reds home game;
•  advertising on the renowned, high profile Reds website of your business as appropriate;
•  access to the Reds network and connections;
•  access to top flight sporting functions and events such as AFL football, horse racing and golf days;
•  tax invoice (for tax deductible purposes for business advertising, if required);
•  membership of the club (membership card will be issued) and the Old Redders Association ;
•  access to club communications, annual report and president's updates.

“Black and Blue”, the story of football at Melbourne University, was launched last night by Mike Fitzpatrick in Macquarie Bank’s board room, a little way from the spiritual home of MUFC – the pavvy. Reds patrons Paul Daffey and Dr June Senyard wrote sections of the book and it is a warts and all account of the third oldest football club in Australia, including its various manifestations University, University B, Uni Blacks, Uni Blues and of course the Uni Reds. MUFC Chairman, Simon “Harry” Costello was disappointed that “and Red all over” wasn’t added to the title.

Ross Stevenson stole the show with the obligatory stories about Kenny Frencham’s notoriously muddled coaching addresses (“C’mon boys, we’re not capitulating on our opportunities”, “Pair off in threes”, and “Come over here under the lights where it’s warmer”). He also regaled the now infamous story about Thornbury’s Bugsy Bennett’s jaw smashing punch on Ross in the culture-bridging match against the Reds in 1978. Ross claims the punch was so hard that he did his achilles, but the umpire failed to lay a report. This apparently became the first case of trial by ‘video’ in Australian Football. The footage was replayed last night. Bugsy, the undoubtedly effervescent gatekeeper at Northcote Tip, eventually got 8 weeks, reduced from life on the basis of his apparent ‘good record’ and having played over 300 games for Thornbury. Ross was a little miffed to read the back page of the Northcote Leader in the lead-up to the return match with Thornbury, with a picture of Bugsy shaking hands with the mayor on occasion of his 200th game! Bugsy was gracious enough to waive Ross’s $5 tip entry fee years later.

A boisterous posse of Reds were in attendance at the launch, including a number of Reds MUFC life members. The inaugural life member of the MUFC was Marc Marsden, after whom the Reds Reserves B&F is named. Other MUFC life members include Peter Selleck (current MUFC membership officer), Harry Sharpe (deceased), Jack Clancy, Terry Greaney, Andrew Hendy, Peter Hille and Charlie Hosking.

Adam “Nick Leeson” Grant sent his apologies for the night from the Singapore branch of Deutsch Bank – his record of one game with the Uni Blues under 19s, 34 reserves games with the Uni Blacks, and 43 boisterous games with the Fitzroy Reds reserves (+ one senior game) is surely unique and an MUFC triumph.

If you want to order the book or read more, you can do so at http://www.melbunifootball.com

Greetings all

The Fitzroy Reds is preparing for a pivotal AGM next Tuesday. The club will vote on a special resolution for a merger with the Fitzroy Football Club Ltd (FFC Ltd).

The FFC Ltd has been a major sponsor of the FRFC since 1997 and is governed by a Board of Directors. It is also a current member of the Reds Foundation. It draws income from a significant membership base and from The Fitzroy Shop.

Key features of the merger proposal include:

- The new entity will be known as the FFC Ltd incorporating the Fitzroy Reds
- The football teams under the management of the new entity will be known as ‘Fitzroy’
- The Fitzroy Reds Football Club will transfer its membership of the VAFA to the new entity

- All members and players of the Fitzroy Reds will be offered membership of the new entity
- All Life Members of the Fitzroy Reds will retain their rights and privileges under the new entity
- The new entity will honour and respect the traditions and history of the Fitzroy Reds.

- Club property and assets will be transferred to the FFC Ltd
- The FFC Ltd will pay out all of the club’s liabilities now existing to the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) and the City of Yarra

- The President, Vice President, Treasurer and two other members of the committee would be appointed to the Fitzroy Football Club Ltd Board of Management which consists of no more than ten directors of that Club.
- the current Secretary of the FFC to be the (nominated) Secretary of the merged entity.

Reds Foundation members are also members of the Fitzroy Reds Football Club and are therefore entitled to vote on this important proposal for the club’s future. The Reds Foundation leadership group strongly supports the proposal and encourages you to attend the AGM on Tuesday (details below).

FITZROY REDS FOOTBALL CLUB
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held at the
FITZROY VICTORIA BOWLING CLUB
Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy
On Tuesday 25th November 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

The Reds Foundation, whose mission is to 'nurture the future, support the present and celebrate the past of the Reds’, will continue with its work and will be a significant part of the new entity. The merger proposal does not diminish in any way the role of the RF, nor does it alter the charter we have established. In fact, we expect that the RF will be asked by the new Board to expand its management of specific club projects or events as appropriate, in addition to the various projects included in the RF charter. The RF will continue (and possibly expand) its sponsorship of the club, fortified by the Reds Ahead project (a major membership drive incorporating player sponsorship outlined previously) by ongoing membership expansion to be drawn from the wider Reds community.

I look forward to seeing you at the AGM on Tuesday and commend this important proposal to you.

Cheers
Chris Tehan
Reds Foundation Convenor