Name: Bobby Norris
Age: 27 
Occupation: Finance Industry 
Football fan since? Since I can remember  
Other teams you support? Newcastle United (England) 
  
Why have you decided to become a Heart fan?

No good reason to be honest! I am an obsessed football fan that just could not feel passionately about Victory for whatever reason, and although I "supported" them, it had a lot more to do with me being a patriotic Melbournian than anything else. Heart represent a new start for me to get involved in the league from the very start, and to be honest, whilst at the start I was skeptical of this new club, every decision they have made has made me more passionate about them, and right now, I am fully behind them and declare them as my club! It feels really great to have passion for an Australian football side. 
 
For a team that's yet to even hold a training session, it's a big commitment. What do your mates think?

A few of my mates have joined me actually; we love football and want to embrace this new club and their philosophies as our own. The ones who haven't just think I am mad but they pretty much get my reasoning. In actual fact, a few of those that at first thought I was losing the plot have been impressed by Heart and the way they are going about things. I reckon we could win a couple of them over soon enough. 
 
Will you be the guy with the loudhailer orchestrating the fans' chants behind the goal?

Unfortunately no, I really do admire those guys but I love watching the game intently, I enjoy the tactical side of it and love watching the game unfold from start to finish.   
 
What do you think of the club's logo and colours and name?

 I love every aspect of what the club has shown and look forward to the playing strip; I think the logo is a bold statement and very clever, whilst the name has so many angles that can be worked. Red and White just works with everything they are doing. It counters the Victory's blue and white well. Overall, I couldn't be happier. 
 
How many fans can Heart attract in their first season do you think?

I believe with the community initiatives the club has committed to, they have a chance of attracting a huge amount of fans from all regions of Victoria. I don't want to put a number on it, but I think it will rival and even surpass most other clubs in the league. The measuring stick has to be Victory and whilst we won't reach their heights straight away, the future is bright I feel. There is a huge percentage of Victorians who don't follow Victory and just haven't been reached yet.... 
 
What type of marketing would you like to see the club employ? And what type of message should they be pushing to attract fans?

They are pushing exactly the right message now. Community focused club that will bring the beautiful game to all walks of life and all regions of Victoria. I really applaud the direction the club has taken and I think it is fantastic to have a club with that philosophy. 
 
Some have suggested the club should try and attract some of the so-called "old soccer" fans. Is that a good idea? Your thoughts...

Why not? Anyone that is passionate about football needs to be involved in the A-League for the game to survive in this country in the long term. If there are football fans that do not support the league then bringing them to the league would be wonderful. It has to be for the right reasons, and I am sure with the way Heart are approaching everything, people will join in the club's vision. It's all about growing the game at the end of the day.  
 
Your thoughts on John Van't Schip? A good move to get a European coach?

Once he was announced as the manager I couldn't contain my excitement. I was driving along Ascot Vale Road and just cheered out loud basically. No offence to other managers in this league but this is a remarkable coup for the sport in this country and I am over the moon that Mr Van't Schip will be managing my club. His philosophies on football are a blessing for this country and he brings a wealth of top class experience to the club and the league. I think all football supporters should feel proud we have been able to entice a guy like John Van't Schip to the A-League. 
 
The players so far, who's caught your eye of those announced for Heart?

Well, being a new club, all the announcements have caught my eye. I think being able to get some very experienced players in Thompson, Heffernan, Sarkies and Bolton should form a good core to establish us in the league. I am a huge fan of Matty Thompson in particular so absolutely delighted to have him on board. 
 
Have you been to many Victory games?

 I have. A lot of my mates are fans and I actually enjoy going to the games. They are the benchmark of the league, no doubt, in terms of success on field and off field. For whatever reason, I could not feel passionately about them though, no fault of the club or their fantastic fans! I still regard the season two Grand Final as one of the best sporting events I have been too. The atmosphere was unreal.  
 
You must be looking forward to the Melbourne derby? Could it sell out Swan St?

Most definitely! I am really excited by the Melbourne derby! I believe Melbourne deserves a rivalry like the one this will provide. It will add to the remarkable culture we have already. I honestly believe it will push football to the next level. I am confident it will sell out Swan St if not in the first year, then soon enough. 
 
The stadium at Swan St - excited by it? How will it be better than Etihad?

Yep, it will definitely be very enjoyable. This is a purpose built football stadium that every football fan will enjoy, and whilst Etihad Stadium is a great sporting venue, it just isn't a football stadium. To be close to the action will make it that much better for us fans. It's about time Melbourne had something like this accommodating the best sport in the world. 
 
What's your message to people out there thinking of joining Heart?

Get on board. It is really exciting and the club have done everything right so far. The club has been amazing to the fans I know, very approachable and they really care about people and the community. I think it will be an amazing journey from the start. With John Van't Schip leading the way, anything is possible!