Would be good if we could have a seperate thread based on facts, knowledge etc rather than chit chat, rumour etc
So what do we know?
There are two front men.
One,
Gerard Murphy is effectively a management consultant who has worked extensively in sport in both the UK and Australia. In the UK, mainly through a vehicle called of his Elite Team Performance, and in Australia via Leading Teams Australia and later Gerard Murphy Consulting. The latter summarised below:
" assists CEO's/MD's/Directors/exec teams to create a high performance culture by aligning strategy, structures, governance and people. Current clients include Caterpillar, Telstra, Momentum Energy, Message Media, YMCA, Australian Tyretraders, Fairfax Radio Network, Higgins and Geelong FC (2007-09 & 2013-14), Richmond FC (2015), Melbourne Rebels (2015 - ) & Port Adelaide FC (2017)."
A number of web stories are searchable of him under Elite Team Performance, most notably this one when working for the Arafat
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8910956/Gerard-Murphy-RFUs-choice-as-a-liaison-between-Englands-team-and-management-proved-a-barrier.htmlA good insight into him can be found on his blog below, with a standout quote "without having sound governance, good people can make bad decisions"
http://gerardmurphy.com.au/blog.phpAlso seems generally well into Aussie sports promotion, and was previously chairman of the Australian Football League Europe arm
Comments
Doesn't appear to have a massive sporting background / connection.
'On 14 April 2016, Port Adelaide announced a three-year multimillion-dollar partnership with leading Chinese property developer Shanghai Cred. Within this partnership, Port Adelaide will take primary responsibility for developing Australian rules football in China. The partnership will see Port Adelaide hold annual training camps and provide sponsorship in China, as well as producing AFL programs and broadcasting games in the country via China Central Television and other networks.[81] The first AFL game to be played for premiership points is scheduled for May 2017 between Gold Coast and Port Adelaide.'
Melbourne Rebels are owned by Imperium Group (ICG) and Andrew Cox seems to be the main man there.
https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/sports-business-group/articles/our-recent-work-in-sport1.html
Australian Football Consortium Limited was incorporated on 4 April 2016 (Monday)and as of 11 March 2017 (Saturday) is a Registered Australian Public Company.
Thats more encouraging.
Australian Football Consortium Ltd
The Australian Football Consortium Ltd is an unlisted public company that has been established to acquire an underperforming English football team and elevate it to the English Premier League.
How we will achieve it
Australian Football Consortium Ltd brings together elite practices found in Australia's world-leading sporting codes and teams, including specialties in player performance, culture development, team management, supporter engagement, stadium operations and match day experience. Driven by an expert advisory team, Australian Football Consortium Ltd will implement:
A high-performance, cohesive team culture
A strong Club brand in both the UK and Australia
Australian best-in-class sport psychology and science
Investment in the Club's training academy and facilities
Management techniques designed to maximise performance
Investment overview
In 2016 Australian Football Consortium Ltd commissioned Deloitte Football Business Group in Manchester, UK to undertake a feasibility study.
Australian Football Consortium Ltd is now conducting a confidential capital raise and is seeking investors to contribute a total A$55m in return for a shareholding in Australian Football Consortium Ltd.
Attractive returns on investment are expected to result from promotion to the Premier League where the earnings profile of clubs increases dramatically as a result of lucrative media rights arrangements. Upon achieving Australian Football Consortium Ltd's vision of promoting the Club to the Premier League, all investors will share in the value created. It is envisaged that liquidity will be provided through an IPO at that stage.
Process
Australian Football Consortium Ltd is in final negotiations with the current owner of the Club and is seeking commitments from cornerstone investors during March 2017. Henslow Pty Ltd is managing Australian Football Consortium Ltd's capital raise process and interested parties are encouraged to contact Chris Tait regarding the opportunity.
Chris Tait
Principal
Henslow
+61 438 862 355
ctait@henslow.com
They are based out of Melbourne.
Where are the funds going to come from to run it?
Doesn't sound like they have any financial clout in place to build the squad through the divisions to reach their target of a return on investment.