We Are North Melbourne Chairman (WANM), David Wheaton, has congratulated the North Melbourne Football Club members for their response to the call by the club chairman to get their memberships now. "The members have really jumped on board to support the call by James Brayshaw with the target of 10,000 members by Christmas well and truly exceeded," David said.

"Membership looks likely to top 12,000 by Christmas, a fantastic result that should have the cynics thinking again or at least recognising that the NMFC members are rallying."

"The response to the rallying call of James Brayshaw has been amazing with NMFC supporters now being able to see the club has a future as an Arden Street based club."

David went on to express disappointment at the ongoing comments by ex NMFC players and officials who seem reluctant to accept the decision of the board and the will of the members. "It's about time former players and officials, as well as AFL officials, realise the wishes of the members have been recognised by the board," David said. "Now is the time to support the club rather than drag out tired old quotes that do nothing to help the club attract members and sponsors. Clearly we don't need these ongoing distractions – we need all the positive support we can get."

"The North Melbourne Football Club is staying in Melbourne and that is a clear message. Get on board and help the club prosper. WANM welcomes the new board appointments, particularly the return of our Coach of the Century, Denis Pagan, who obviously has much to offer the club at board level."

David also commented on recent media reports about the AFL CEO's alleged negative comments. "We remind the AFL CEO of his assurance that the NMFC will not be penalised in any way for refusing to relocate to the Gold Coast and that the AFL will not try and find ways to penalise the club. WANM is watching to ensure these guarantees are kept."

"WANM is thankful that the new board Chairman has given a clear message that the board will be open and accountable to members and we thank James Brayshaw for this guarantee."

The NMFC membership number is 1300 36 32 31 or website www.kangaroos.com.au

Media contact is invited:

David Wheaton - Chairman - 0417 885 920.

Chairman of We Are North Melbourne (WANM), David Wheaton, has applauded the decision of the North Melbourne Football Club to totally reject the AFL's offer to relocate to the Gold Coast. "This is a landmark day for the North Melbourne Football Club when the threat of the Gold Coast relocation is finally removed once and for all."

"The relocation threat has been hanging over the club's head for too long and has had an impact on membership, sponsorship and corporate support. Now we can all move on and get behind our new chairman, James Brayshaw, and help him drive the club forward."

"WANM also recognises the commitment of AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou, who today confirmed the AFL would continue to support the club. "The real fear that the AFL would make the NMFC pay for rejecting the offer has been removed with the public assurances by Demetriou that the AFL would accept the North Melbourne Football Club's decision and ensure they received the AFL's ongoing support."

"It was so refreshing tonight to hear our new chairman talk about the new board being open and transparent – we have lacked that for the last few years with secret negotiations around our future happening. We also applaud James' confirmation that the club would revert to the name North Melbourne as soon as possible and that they would work to renegotiate a more equitable stadium deal that allowed the NMFC to make the profit levels achieved by other clubs. All these are important to the future success of the club."

"Today we won the battle," David said, "but now we must win the war. Every club member and supporter must get on board now and make the NMFC viable and successful. Now we have a second life we have to make it work."

The NMFC membership number is 1300 36 32 31 or website www.kangaroos.com.au

We Are North Melbourne (WANM) Chairman, David Wheaton, has challenged the North Melbourne Football Club to provide more details about Thursday night's member forum. "So far all we know is there is a meeting," David said. "We have no agenda, no explanation of how member opinion will be assessed, and no assurance that the AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou, will be there to answer questions. The AFL must respond to the club's request for a twelve month extension before the Member's Forum to allow all the facts to be considered by members."

"Andrew Demetriou has championed this cause and he must be present to take member questions or the AFL's credibility in this issue will suffer even further. There are so many holes in the AFL proposal that we need explanations right from the top. As well as a full explanation of the somewhat rubbery financial details we have seen so far, we want to know why the shareholder buyout proposed by the AFL would result in the AFL owning the NMFC and not the members, as they themselves have said should be the case. Despite the AFL's claims that control of the NMFC should be returned to its members their plan ignores this too, a somewhat hypocritical situation. The AFL CEO must be prepared to talk to the members on Thursday night. The AFL has been caught red handed putting spin ahead of the actual facts – that has to stop now."

David also expressed concern over the 30 day deadline for the club and the AFL to reach a decision. "How convenient that now the 30 day deadline has passed the AFL and NMFC says that there never was such a deadline. They didn't say that for the previous 29 days. Clearly the AFL's inability to lock in a stadium deal has embarrassed them and made it impossible for the NMFC to consider their offer. The AFL has caused the delay and the only reasonable action now is to remove the offer altogether until they can get it right."

"WANM is right behind James Brayshaw and his plan to provide a sustainable funding base for the club to be able to survive and prosper as a Victorian based club. James has the plan and the ability to make it work. Any further delays in deciding to stay in Melbourne will continue to damage the club, hurt membership sales and deter sponsors and corporate supporters from getting onboard the NMFC. James' plan does include returning control of the club to the members. Make the decision to stay now and watch the club grow."

WANM appeals to all NMFC supporters, family and friends to get on board now and buy a membership. The NMFC membership number is 1300 36 32 31 or website www.kangaroos.com.au

We Are North Melbourne (WANM) has welcomed the news this week that the North Melbourne Football Club (NMFC) is set to say no the AFL's proposal to relocate to the Gold Coast.

WANM Chairman, David Wheaton, said this is only the first step. "We need to understand that this may only serve to give us twelve months to re-establish the club. Should the AFL leave the offer on the table for a year then we need to work hard to support the rebirth of the NMFC."

"The plan put forward by James Brayshaw offers our club a secure and sustainable future and we call on the AFL to accept the unanimous decision of the board and get behind the rebirth of the NMFC. We applaud the board decision – it is courageous and exciting and offers the NMFC members a vision for the future. We look forward to working with James to return control of the club to the members."

"It is critical that all supporters buy their memberships now, encourage others to do so, and support the sponsors of the club. We need to make sure people know that we have won the battle but not the war."

"The AFL's revelation that Southport would most likely be involved in the relocated NMFC, or a 17th licence, is a reminder to all members that any move to the Gold Coast would mean the NMFC would no longer exist."

"It is time for Gold Coast Mayor, Ron Clarke, and the Southport Sharks to finally accept the shinboner spirit they so eagerly covet is not for sale. As far as WANM members are concerned for the NMFC the Gold Coast is a nice place to visit but we wouldn't want to live there."

The NMFC membership number is 1300 36 32 31 or website www.kangaroos.com.au

We Are North Melbourne Chairman, David Wheaton, has questioned the real value of the AFL's proposal to relocate the North Melbourne Football Club to the Gold Coast.

"We have had the offer analysed and strongly believe that all is not as it seems," David said. "More than half of the promised funding would be provided to the NMFC anyway so it is hardly a $100mil carrot to relocate. This is grossly overstated"

"WANM has met with the AFL and was not provided with any extra detail and was not given a copy of the proposal. We are using the same figures provided to the media and, under scrutiny, they don't seem to paint the same picture that the AFL has suggested."

The other revelation from the AFL meeting was a confirmation that the Southport Sharks are likely to have a role to play whether or not the NMFC relocated or a 17th licence was issued.

"This was a significant admission by AFL General Manager Strategy and Club Support, Andrew Catterall. "He said they were too big a player on the Gold Coast to ignore and are likely to have a part in either plan."

"WANM notes that this has not been detailed in the proposal we have seen and demands that the AFL details exactly what role Southport would play. If this is a secret part of the overall plan what else are we not being told?"

"It is interesting that the proposal does refer to the AFL '…retaining history, traditions, Shinboner spirit and culture' of the NMFC. Just ask the South Melbourne and Fitzroy supporters how they believe this was achieved in the past. It has not been achieved in the past and WANM believes a relocated football club will not be the North Melbourne Football Club. Certainly it won't deserve the right to use the words 'shinboner spirit'."

"In short the relocated club would not be the North Melbourne Football Club but would be a new club with the AFL as the owner and an AFL appointed or approved board. That needs to be clear to all parties."

A detailed response to the AFL's proposal is attached: Response Document

WANM urges all supporters to buy their memberships now as a sign of support for the NMFC remaining in Melbourne. The NMFC membership number is 1300 36 32 31 or website www.kangaroos.com.au

Chairman of We Are North Melbourne, David Wheaton, has called on both the AFL and the North Melbourne Football Club to announce just how they are to ensure the NMFC members have their say on their club's future.

"We are becoming more and more concerned as each day passes that the club will not deliver on its assurance that the members will have a say in this critical decision," David said. "So far we have not seen or heard any evidence on how this process will happen and we are getting very worried."

"We are hoping that the club will keep to what the CEO, Rick Aylett, has said publicly. That is that the members will have a say in this decision and that the members will be given full details of the AFL's proposal. So far we have seen neither. This can't be done through media polls so how will it happen? We need full disclosure of the AFL's offer and the stay in Melbourne proposal."

"The club members demand that the club tells us now how we are to be heard and our views delivered to the board. We are hoping the words of the NMFC CEO are not just rhetoric. The AFL CEO also called for the NMFC members to be part of the decision making process so what is happening? Surely the club must have plans in place now given the short amount of time left before decision day. We need to know now as time is marching by quickly and it will be too late in less than two weeks."

"Member contact with WANM all points to supporting James Brayshaw's plan to keep the NMFC in Melbourne," David said. "At last we have hope of a secure future and a vision that has Arden Street as our permanent home."

"WANM would also like to express our disappointment that the AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou, is unable to meet with WANM, citing he was too busy. The AFL has suggested a meeting with another AFL manager may be arranged. While we understand that Andrew Demetriou is a busy man it is disappointing that as the future of the NMFC teeters on the edge he did not consider WANM important enough to meet with him."

WANM calls on all NMFC supporters, family, friends and the supporters of other clubs who have offered support, to buy their membership now. The North Melbourne membership line is 1300 36 32 31.

We Are North Melbourne (WANM) has cautiously welcomed the decision by the North Melbourne Football Club to take more time to consider the Gold Coast relocation offer from the AFL. WANM Chairman, David Wheaton said today that the club can't afford to let this uncertainty continue much longer. "We need to make a decision and get behind the club now. We do understand the options need careful consideration but these delays are damaging the club at a crucial time for membership sales."

"WANM is heartened by the statement of the AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou, that the NMFC members should have a say in this decision. The club has made similar statements and we call on both the club and the AFL to make known how that will happen."

"NMFC members have been very clear in their feedback to us. The NMFC belongs in Melbourne and relocation is not an option."

"James Brayshaw said that a move to the Gold Coast would mean the NMFC would cease to exist. We agree and are not prepared to see our rich 138 year history marched north without giving the members the chance to secure their club's future."

"WANM also applauds the comments by James Brayshaw that it is crucial the club's shareholder structure is wound up and ownership of the club returned to its members. This has been the aim of WANM since our inception."

"The fact that James has already been able to raise $8mil is a great vote of confidence in the NMFC's future in Melbourne."

"WANM calls on all NMFC members, supporters, friends of the club and other club supporters who have rallied behind our cause to get on the phone or the internet and buy a NMFC membership today. It's now or never for the club. Dig deep and help secure our future."

The NMFC membership number is 1300 36 32 31 or website www.kangaroos.com.au

The WANM executive team has met with North Melbourne Football Club CEO, Rick Aylett, to discuss a range of issues including the AFL proposal to move the NMFC to the Gold Coast.

WANM Chairman, David Wheaton, said the meeting was very constructive. "We outlined our primary objective, which is to ensure that NMFC members have a say in the future of the club by returning control of the club to the members."

"We raised several issues including the future of the Arden Street redevelopment. Rick explained the soil testing process had caused delays and that the development would still go ahead once those complications had been dealt with."

"Rick also assured us that the Gold Coast decision would be made as soon as possible, with the club still waiting on proposals from the AFL and a pro-Melbourne group to enable the board to make a fully considered decision."

"WANM's position has not changed – being that the club should remain at the status quo until all details of the AFL's offer to the club have been detailed to members and that members have a say in the final decision. Rick understood that was our aim but was not in a position to give an assurance that would happen, but he did assure us that transparency was very important." David said.

"Rick was understanding of our aim to ensure members have a say in the relocation issue but could not guarantee that would be an option available to the club with the current board and share structure."

"WANM is also working with the club to establish a mechanism for regular member Q&A sessions with the club and more details will be announced as this is developed."

WANM is now approaching the AFL to seek an urgent meeting with AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou.

We Are North Melbourne (WANM) has called on the North Melbourne Football Club (NMFC) and the AFL to finally come clean and tell the NMFC members the details of the Gold Coast offer.

WANM Chairman, David Wheaton, said today it is time to put up. "Here we are almost two weeks into the 30 day deadline and the NMFC members still have no assurance from the club or the AFL that they will have the opportunity to have their say in their club's future."

"The news report today that quoted member elected Director, James Brayshaw, as saying the club still does not have a firm offer from the AFL is nothing short of staggering. Almost half the 30 days have passed and the club still doesn't know what they are considering."

"The AFL seems to have a somewhat cavalier attitude to this whole issue. Surely a business plan on the relocation was in place before the negotiations reached a deadline stage? Where is it? If it is nothing more than a few notes on a whiteboard and a powerpoint presentation then you really have to wonder how well founded this whole proposal is."

"The genuine NMFC member is still the most ignored party in this whole saga and the NMFC and AFL must publicly acknowledge our right to know. They must do it now. They must publicly state how we will be a part of the process that decides the future of our football club."

"Until then WANM's position is simple. The Gold Coast is a nice place to visit but we wouldn't want to live there."

WANM is very concerned that this uncertainty will again affect club membership sales. "The timing could not be worse. We should be launching a major membership drive and rallying all supporters to get behind the club. Instead we have a fractured board and an uncertain future. It has to end now."

Chairman of We Are North Melbourne, David Wheaton, has welcomed the call by North Melbourne Football Club Director James Brayshaw for members to have the final say in whether the club relocates.

"We applaud James for pointing out that this critical decision must be made by North Melbourne members, not forced by the AFL", David said.

"The future success of the club depends on members being acknowledged and given a say in the club's direction. A forced move will only further disenfranchise tens of thousands of loyal club people. But if members are given a genuine opportunity to participate in decisions about the club's direction, they will have ownership in, and make a commitment to, the direction the club takes."

David Wheaton also welcomed public questioning of the AFL's financial calculations.

"When one of our Directors says 'the numbers just don't add up', that adds to our call for the AFL to come clean on what exactly is driving their enthusiasm for our club to urgently become a Gold Coast team."

"Frankly, the generalisations and back-of-the-napkin numbers that are being tossed around are not enough to give members confidence in the proposal."

"Our scepticism has also been raised by the AFL's cavalier claims that the NMFC receives '$7 in every $10 of its net revenue from the AFL'. This point has been repeated by many commentators, but no actual revenue figures have been produced to justify it."

"Because 'net revenue' is not a concept an accountant would recognise, it's hard to understand exactly how the AFL came up with their figures."

"But we do know that in gross revenue the NMFC actually receives less than half its income from the AFL. We also know that what the AFL is talking about – as if it was special charity – is largely made up of the distribution and other sums all clubs receive. A number of clubs would be in a similar position to ours if their revenue was examined under the same formula. The AFL should produce this same figure for every AFL club to see a fair comparison."

"The only significant revenue NMFC receives from the AFL that not all sixteen clubs receive is:

* The annual special distribution (NMFC received $1.4 million in 2006) that several clubs get – and the NMFC has received less funding under this category, since it was introduced than either Melbourne or Western Bulldogs

* Contracted payments of $400,000 per game for playing on the Gold Coast for which the AFL receives all gate and membership income, and for which the Kangaroos pay all expenses, significantly impacting the 'net revenue' gain.

"The only one-off AFL payment that has been committed to NMFC and not to every club is a one-off capital grant of $1.5 million in 2007, towards the redevelopment of Arden Street. The AFL has made these capital development funds available to other clubs including Richmond."

"As members, we also resent the implication that the North Melbourne Football Club is a drain and not a contributor to AFL wealth. Just as one example, the club has participated in 11 recent finals series, playing games which attracted 1,645,853 through the gate and conservatively generated over $65 million revenue for the competition."

"It is irresponsible and mischievous of the AFL to give this misleading impression of the NMFC's revenue base, but does clearly show their desperation to move the NMFC regardless of the wish of their members. We just wonder which other club will be next?"

"We call on them to stop playing with numbers to create a media story, and instead focus their attention on the much more important financial calculations of why the Gold Coast is ready for an AFL team, indeed needs one so urgently the AFL risks alienating tens of thousands of heartland supporters who contribute so much financially to the club and the competition."

Chairman of We Are North Melbourne (WANM), David Wheaton, said today that the opinion of North Melbourne supporters is becoming very apparent.

"Since the establishment of WANM we have been overwhelmed with true blue North Melbourne members supporting our demands to involve them in the decision making on the club's future," David said. "Many are expressing their anger at the secrecy of the club and the AFL who have progressed this to decision time with no consultation with club members."

"As we have not yet been presented with any evidence that proves the club and supporters would be better off relocating to the Gold Coast, we support the decision of the NMFC board that we stay in Melbourne and have a real dip at rebuilding our supporter base and sponsorship program to ensure the club prospers."

"WANM calls on businesses to get behind the NMFC with major sponsorship and be part of one of the great football stories. Here is a genuine chance to help save a club with a rich history, one of the most successful teams of the last 30 years and with the ultimate marketing symbol of the kangaroo, an Australian iconic brand."

WAMN is continuing to work to acquire shares so that the genuine NMFC member can have a say in their club's future.

"The message from members is loud and clear. Tell us the facts. Tell us what has been discussed between the AFL and the NMFC. No more secret discussions. It's time to ensure the members of the NMFC are no longer kept in the dark."

We Are North Melbourne Inc (WANM) has responded to the outcomes of today's board meeting of the North Melbourne Football Club and the subsequent comments by AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou.

WAMN Chairman, David Wheaton, has said that WAMN is disappointed by the AFL's reaction today.

"AFL Chairman Andrew Demetriou's threat to the North Melbourne Football Club yet again ignores the role of the NMFC members to be involved in the decision on what the club does in terms of our future", David said. "Clearly the AFL is used to getting its' own way and their veiled threats to abandon the NMFC's efforts in working to develop the Gold Coast as a secondary market delivers a strong warning to other AFL clubs that may be vulnerable."

"WANM is working hard to return the NMFC to the control of its members. We are yet to see the club or the AFL acknowledge that the members who have supported the NMFC through thick and thin should have a say in the club's future."

WANM will continue to explore every option available to acquire shares in the NMFC and allow the ordinary members to have their say about the club's future.

"We implore both the AFL and the NMFC to publicly declare that they will allow the members of the NMFC to have their say in the club's future. Nobody with a sense of fair play can deny us that right."

A group of North Melbourne Football Club (NMFC) supporters has met to plan the return of the North Melbourne Football Club to its' members.

The group has established We Are North Melbourne Inc (WANM), an association that aims to acquire return control of the North Melbourne Football Club to the rank and file members. The Association also aims to allow members to have a say in the decision making of the NMFC, something that happens in most other clubs but is currently not available to NMFC members.

WANM Chairman, David Wheaton, said it is time for the members to demand a say in their club. "A few shareholders have the final say on what happens long term to the North Melbourne Football Club and that means the ordinary member has no say," David said. "WANM will seek to acquire shares through a variety of methods, as well as lobbying key stakeholders to ensure the voice of the members is heard."

David went on to explain the Association's stance on relocation to the Gold Coast. "Let the club members decide where they want the club to be based and then the decision cannot be argued", David said. "Right now they have no say and are being treated accordingly. That's what we want to redress as quickly as possible."

WANM will operate from their website keeping members informed of achievements. The web site is http://www.wearenorthmelbourne.com.au

"It's time the thoughts of NMFC members were taken into consideration. Too few people are currently considering decisions that are vital to our future with no member consultation. We will work to make sure their voice is heard".