Chris Connolly on SEN

[sutti 0]

CC was on SEN a few minutes ago, great to hear - bring on 08 :D

Notes from Choock in Perth on Demonology:

Said he's been away for 16 years and he can't wait to impart what he learnt in that time on "his club, the club he loves".

Said he's been staying at the Hilton and has been walking around the G and it brought back so many memories. Said he is quite emotional to be going home.

Sees the list as exciting, particularly in the under 23 area. Thinks Dean Bailey can really coach and will do great work with the kids.

The biggest hurdle was the misconception that he wanted Bailey's job. Said he would NEVER coach Melbourne now, and he had to get that point across before he went forward.

Said Penny and the kids were staying in Perth for a year so his oldest could finish Year 12. Said he would be able to do the long hours. Said he was willing to sacrifice his family life in the short term because he has seen it first hand at Fremantle with Stephen Icke and Robert Shaw going through the same thing.

His number one goal: HOPE. for the club, for the team. If all the components do their part it builds passion. Needs to get everything right and the people will return.

Said we have too much pessimism, and that needs to change, and then we can celebrate 150 years and then be arround for another 150. Said its a very special club and Ox knows it.

He's a brilliant speaker. Fantastic.

Ox said he reckons CC will get ex players involved and he is happy to get down there and help.

Go Dees :D

[Yze_Magic 3]

Heard it

Loved it

[joeboy 3,166]

He also very humorously described how one of his sons was still a fervent Melbourne supporter and idolised Davey and Robertson , but warned him not to venture too close to them as they would be disappointments .

[sutti 0]

He also very humorously described how one of his sons was still a fervent Melbourne supporter and idolised Davey and Robertson , but warned him not to venture too close to them as they would be disappointments .

HAHA yep, but I'm pretty suret that was a joke mate He said at the end that your heros never live up to their status in person as they do in your mind.

[Gorgoroth 12,963]

Saw some of the same stuff on fox sports, they also showed him and the bald badger meeting the players.

[Jaded No More 68,958]

He also very humorously described how one of his sons was still a fervent Melbourne supporter and idolised Davey and Robertson , but warned him not to venture too close to them as they would be disappointments .

That's a bit harsh!

There is no doubt that Connolly is extremely passionate about Melbourne, and it's great to have passionate people who truly love the club, be part of it. He'll be a great marketing personality for us.

[dazzledavey36 54,951]

he is one passionate guy!! leavin his own family back in perth just to see the dees succeed!! what a legend

[sutti 0]

That's a bit harsh!

There is no doubt that Connolly is extremely passionate about Melbourne, and it's great to have passionate people who truly love the club, be part of it. He'll be a great marketing personality for us.

Well hopefully he do to the Dees what he did for Freo. When he started they had around 30K members (I think) and when he left they had around 45K members .... they didn't perform very well in those 5 years and he still did this ... hopefully he can do it with the Dees :D

[Geddy Lee 582]

I'm turning into a BIG fan already.

[QueenC 74]

Apropos.......

Connolly - I'll never coach Melbourne

[Waltham33 475]

It all turning around – we are getting on the right track.

Bring on 2008

[Pates 9,660]

He sounds like he's really committed to the MFC, he'd have to be to leave his family in Perth. I'm really pleased with this appointment, and i think the board has done a great job at the the best people to take Melbourne forward.

Jesus Christ! I just want 2008 to come!

[Whispering_Jack 30,198]

He sounds like he's really committed to the MFC, he'd have to be to leave his family in Perth. I'm really pleased with this appointment, and i think the board has done a great job at the the best people to take Melbourne forward.

Jesus Christ! I just want 2008 to come!

It sounds very impressive to me however, I think I've heard it all before. I can even remember when Denis Jones was appointed coach back at the beginning of 1978 thinking how impressive he sounded when he outlined his plans. He sounded like a good bloke and he seemed to have some good ideas but there was just one simple catch ... he couldn't coach. Times have changed since then and the process of selection and appointment of coaches is far more detailed but it's worth remembering that we shouldn't get our hopes up to high at this stage only to be deflated in the cool light of day as 2008 unfolds. As far as 2008 is concerned I'll do what every good footy fan should do - take it one week at a time.

[beelzebub 23,379]

but..Chris isnt coaching !!

[Whispering_Jack 30,198]

but..Chris isnt coaching !!

Correct but back in those days the coach did all of the jobs which more than a dozen people in football departments do these days.

[Guest The Tiger Of Old]

We are set. It's just a damn shame we have to wait until next year to get this party started...

[beelzebub 23,379]

Correct but back in those days the coach did all of the jobs which more than a dozen people in football departments do these days.

fortunately that was then and this is now

[TonyMelb 7]

fortunately that was then and this is now

Part of CC's task is to bring hope back to us members at all levels. This is a very welcome development. Also as Ox noted on SEN the ex players do not feel welcome & is another area Chris C will address. Has to be a positive that it will be a MFC person doing this now! Has been neglected in 2006 and 2007. Some progress was made on these fronts in 2004 and 2005 when everyone was drawn together to help address the debacle of the Szondy/Ellis period. Sadly the MFC Admin and Board has not focused on maintaining those aspects recently and hopefully this will be in CC's scope.

I feel sorry for him in seeking to get MFC supporters enthusiastic and to contribute to the club in 2008 for the 150th milestone as the groundwork for this should have been done over the past 2 years & not just the upcoming pre-season. Hopefully both CC and Dean Bailey will have some influence over the marketing strategy of MFC and held the MFC Admin focus better. That in turn would help address the chronic turnover of staff!