Manchester City owners say visit to Melbourne on cards as early as this year

THE A-League's newest franchise owners plan to bring EPL giant Manchester City to play Melbourne Heart as early as this year.

THE A-League's newest franchise owners plan to bring EPL giant Manchester City to play baby sister Melbourne Heart in Melbourne as early as this year.

Sporting philanthropist Gerry Ryan - president of Cycling Australia - forms part of the new consortium with Manchester City which bought Melbourne Heart for about $12 million this week.

"I'm sure there are some direct opportunities there to bring the club (Manchester City) here,'' Ryan said.

"It is a global game and it's no different to cycling and cycling has recognised that Oceania is an important market.

News_Rich_Media: FFA Chief Executive David Gallop insists Manchester City's takeover of Melbourne Heart will provide the club and the A-League a chance to flourish with international backing.

"And with Asia what better than to base (the match) in Australia and we are part of the Asian economy we have loads of potential in those types of things.

"We did notice how successful Liverpool and Melbourne Victory was (at the MCG last year) and we'll be looking at where we can cross market."

Manchester City owns 80 per cent of the A-League club with Ryan and Bart Campbell - from Melbourne Storm rugby league - owning a 20 per cent stake of Heart.

News_Rich_Media: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says news that Manchester City will be the new owners of the Melbourne Heart is a huge boost for the A-League.

"We got involved with Manchester City through Melbourne Storm,'' Ryan said

"Bart Campbell our chairman said six months ago "what do you think?"

"We said yes and he went out and approached Manchester City with the deal.

"We met with Man City personnel and decided to forge a relationship and partnership we plotted the purchase to see how it was all going to work."

Manchester City has also invested in new US MLS franchise New York City FC last year.

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Heart coach John van 't Schip admits he was surprised by the sale of the club to Manchester City, but hopes the news gives his players a boost ahead of their clash with Adelaide United.

The EPL giant paid about $110 million for the new club which will make its MLS debut in 2015.

"We need to attract sponsors we need to get into the community and as they have done in New York,'' Ryan said.

"We need to localise the global game and brand and franchise.

"I do business on a global scale I'm an Australian and that's why I like to do some of the things I do."

New York City has also embraced the Manchester City brand and colours fuelling speculation that Heart will follow suit.

News_Rich_Media: Tara Rushton and Mark Rudan preview Melbourne Heart's trip to one of the A-League's most in-form teams, Adelaide United.

It's understood Heart would be rebranded and named Melbourne City and wears the same sky blue colours as its patron club Manchester City and its sister New York City next season.

"That (the name and colours) is part of the three month review of the A-League club,'' Ryan said.

"Before the new season comes I'm sure there will be lots more announcements, a new set up."

But it's not the first time Ryan has been involved with the A-League.

Ryan bailed Brisbane Roar out of financial trouble in 2009.

News_Rich_Media: Fox Sports can exclusively reveal that English powerhouse Manchester City have purchased a controlling interest in A-League club Melbourne Heart.

Melbourne Victory also approached Ryan to become a shareholder revealed Ryan, the owner of the successful Jayco Caravans business.

Ryan also owns UCI WorldTour Australian cycling team Orica-GreenEDGE and has invested heavily into Melbourne Storm, AFL club St Kilda, Australian football, women's basketball, owned Melbourne Cup winner Americain, runs a winery, sponsors SASI and has Hollywood interests.

Ryan believes the Heart investment is a very wise one.

News_Rich_Media: Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has revealed his distinct plans to deliver quality football and an identity to Melbourne Heart following the English club's acquisition of the A-League outfit.

"I could see it was going to take a lot of money to own an A-League club back then,'' Ryan said.

"I couldn't see the economics and I sold my share of Roar to the Coffee Club.

"That was my first entry into football."

But Ryan won't be at Coopers Stadium watching his new Heart face Adelaide United this afternoon (Saturday).

Ryan will today (Saturday) be watching Orica-GreenEDGE's chances of claiming stage five - McLaren Vale-Willunga - before attending the Santos Tour Down Under's legends dinner in the evening.