Victory's 20th player

Olympic Park is a buzz with the Northern Terrace leading the chorus of Melbourne Victory fans on gameday. James Willoughby reports about the effect the new cheer squad is having on the team.

What a sweet sound it was to hear the Northern Terrace in full flight as their beloved Melbourne Victory crushed pre-season favourites Sydney FC to the tune of five goals.

The Northern Terrace feature prominently in Melbourne home games, with the wonderful noise, colour and atmosphere a sight to behold. A group of around 3,000 diehards cram into the terraces at the Swan St end of Olympic Park each matchday, urging their team on to 'Victory'.

After the first four home games, two of which have been sellouts, the phenomenon that is the Northern Terrace is really starting to catch on.

Cast your mind back to Sunday the 16th of October, when the Victory produced their best win yet over arch-rivals Sydney.

The noise coming from the Terrace was exceptional, and had there been on a roof on top, it probably would have been blown off.

Yours truly was a part of the action on that brilliant day, and having been to football overseas, I can comfortably say that it rivalled stadiums such as Elland Road, St James' Park and Goodison Park for pure passion.

The Northern Terrace is made of several supporters group, who congregate together and sing as one for Melbourne.

The most well known group is the 'Union' which was founded by Peter Cass, with other supporters groups such as the 'Blue and White Brigade' also involved in the matchday action.

"The concept actually kicked off, when my club in England - Leeds United - formed their own group called the Leeds Ultras. I had read about the success they had, and wanted to form something similar in Melbourne, but we didn't have a team" Cass said.

"Then came the introduction of the A-League and we had a club, so I got to work on the idea".

"My original aim for the Union was to form an un-official supporters club which gathered at the matches as a group, and to create a special atmosphere for players and fellow spectators alike".

"It all kicked off during the pre-season matches with a group of Melbourne football fans who had been starved of professional football for so long, all keen and very excited".

The Union is an independent supporters club, which is open to all fans.

Unlike their fellow A-League counterparts, the Union are not sponsored and are independent of the Melbourne Victory Football Club.

In addition to providing magnificent support at the Home End, the Union also provide Away Game Travel, Social Functions, Country Supporter Groups and meet the players days, which have already proved a raging success.

A landmark in the foundation of the Union was a trip up to Bendigo to see the Victory take on Adelaide United.

Throughout the trip a great bond was formed, and it has kicked off ever since that match - the Union now having over 250 members.

Another supporters group - the Blue and White Brigade - are also enjoying success, and combine together with the Union and other supporters group on game day.

"I, along with a few close friends have been long time admirers of organised supporter groups in both Europe and South America. Fossa Dei Leoni of Milan, Ultras AS Roma, and Barra Brava of Boca Juniors being my personal favourites" co-founder Adam Tennenini said.

"My best friend and I came up with the idea after introduction of the Melbourne Victory, and the idea has just seemed to continue to gain momentum."

"We along with the Union and other crews are getting huge numbers to the games, and more importantly lots of loud and vocal support for the players," Tennenini said.

The Blue and White Brigade now have over 120 members, and along with the Union are growing in support every game.

Melbourne Victory & Union member Jake Heinemann provides this insight on the Union and the BWB.

"I had heard about the Melbourne Victory and decided to sign up as a member, as I desperately wanted football to succeed in Australia" Heinemann said.

"I also read about the Union - but I wasn't convinced to join. Then I went to the first home game against Perth, and couldn't believe what I saw. From that moment on, I immediately wanted to join."

"So I got in contact with Peter Cass and signed up, and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made".

The popularity of the Home End is being vindicated by the public, as it is vastly more populated than the seated areas.

During a matchday, the supporters groups usually meet up at The Vaucluse Hotel in Richmond about an hour and a half prior to kick-off, and for away games they can be found at the Charles Dickens Tavern.

Melbourne Victory media manager Tony Ising is most appreciative of the support the players are getting from the Home End.

"The club was formed by the vision of the fans, and they have adopted the club brilliantly. It's great to see they aren't shy in giving the players their support" Ising said.

"You won't get that authentic passion at a sporting event anywhere else in Australia, it's fantastic."

Now we've heard from the founders, fans, and media manager. Let's now hear from the players.

Here's 'Sir Geoff' otherwise known as Geoffrey Claeys, with his thoughts on the Home End.

"The crowd in Australia is better than the crowd in Belgium, that's for sure" Claeys said.

"The crowd in Melbourne is fantastic, the Union, they cheer us up and that is something I never had in my career in Belgium. It gives you power and gives you adrenaline. It is the 12th man, and we had the feeling we were not playing with 11 men, we were playing with 12 men last game and that's a big positive thing for us."

And we will leave the last word to everyone's favourite player - Archie Thompson, with his thoughts on the NE Terrace.

"The crowd at our home games has been fantastic," Archie said.

"They are so supportive and really lift the team."

Archie was modest when asked to comment on the loudest cheers of all being reserved for him.

"Obviously, it makes me feel good to get the loudest cheers," he said.

"But it's more about the team. If they (the supporters) can be vocal against a team like Adelaide, who are so tough, any bit of help would be great for us."

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!