The Borough Future Fund

Port Melbourne Football Club is a survivor. One of the oldest and last great standalone clubs left playing at state level within the VFL. Yet today our future is under challenge as never before.

The Covid-19 pandemic represents the most significant threat to the foundations of our club in many years.  

While we fully support the Governments' approach to limiting the spread of the virus in the community, the effects of the restrictions have postponed the season - leaving us unable to play football and unable to generate critical income in season 2020. This unprecedented situation weighs heavily on the club, with financial impacts likely to extend well into the 2021 VFL season and beyond.

This presents a real challenge for our club. Without the resources of the large AFL clubs, Port Melbourne already must work harder than most to survive in today’s elite football landscape. It is vitally important at present that we find other ways to raise funds to help secure our foundations for the future. This will help ensure we stay independent, viable and remain a highly competitive club within the VFL well into the future.

That is why we have decided to launch the Borough Future Fund. A fund established with a clear purpose to help strengthen our efforts to steer a way through the lasting financial impacts of this pandemic. And a fund designed to continue to lay the foundations for ongoing growth and development, and to set us up for lasting success on the other side of this.

Many of you may know of Port and our rich history. Some of you may just be passionate Aussie Rules traditionalists. Some of you may never have heard of us but may just be footy fans keen to ensure the future of independent football survives in this state.  

Whatever your reason, with your help we can ensure the men and the women of the mighty Borough can continue flying the flag for standalone football in Victoria for another hundred years and beyond. 


WHO ARE WE?

Established in 1874, Port Melbourne Football Club, known as 'The Borough' is one of the true pioneers of Australian Rules Football and pre-dates two thirds of the current AFL clubs in the competition today. For most of our 146 years we have played at the same historic oval, wearing the same vertical red and blue stripes, in front of the same passionate supporters.

From our humble and rugged beginnings on the docks, Port's early history was forged in Australia's earliest football competition, the Victorian Football Association (VFA). From the halcyon days of the early and mid-twentieth century, through to a renaissance in the 21st, the Borough are steeped in determined success. An unrivalled record of 17 senior VFA/VFL premierships stands as one of the most successful records of any club in any competition. 

Today we are a vibrant and inclusive community club now proudly consisting of both elite men's and women's Australian rules football teams. In 2018 we excitedly launched our very first women’s team, which in true Port spirit has grown from strength to strength in player development and on-field performance within the SEWFL. Port is a proud cornerstone of our local community and represents for many so much more than just a football club.  For our supporters, players, sponsors, families and friends The Borough is a way of life.

At the outset of establishing this fund, the Port Melbourne Football Club wishes to gratefully acknowledge the generous investment in, and faithful retention of, all 2020 corporate sponsorships and memberships held by our supporters in anticipation of this season, despite the uncertainty. 

Donations, of any size, will directly assist the club and ensure that we emerge with a rock solid foundation for our future.

All donors go into the draw to win:

* A priceless one on one with the great Gary Ayres (2x VFL Premiership Coach, 5x Hawthorn Premiership Player and 2x Norm Smith Medallist) over a two course lunch at a leading Port Melbourne eatery; or

*One of three Sherrin Game Day footballs signed by Gary & the Port Melbourne Leadership Team valued at over $200 each


Your support through these times is much appreciated.

On behalf of the Board, Management, Players, Supporters of the Port Melbourne Football Club, thank you. 

Please note, for all enquiries regarding other ways you can contribute, sponsor or assist the Club at this time, please contact our office on +61 (03) 9646 2094 or email us at: [email redacted].au