After 63 years, this historic club could lose their home

Football clubs, as they so often do, fight for every scrap of land and penny across the country. The latest example highlights the ongoing battle facing teams in Australia.

Essendon Royals - one of Victoria's most historic community football clubs - could be forced from their spiritual home after a local council decided against repairing a pavilion damaged by a roof collapse.

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Instead, the council intends to demolish the pavilion, terminate the Royals’ tenancy and ground allocation at Ormond Park, and relocate teams to other grounds within the municipality after the 2026 season.

The decision, which has sparked outrage, would end a connection spanning more than six decades, with the Royals having called Ormond Park home since 1963. To put this into context and the impact it would have, Essendon boast 54 teams and 1000+ registered players. Now, they are facing the prospect of being displaced.

In a statement to members, Essendon described the news as difficult to accept, highlighting the role the venue has played for generations of families and players.

The ground has helped produce professional footballers and national youth representatives, while some of the biggest names have graced the field - from current head coach and A-League champion Michael Ferrante, Ex-Socceroo and Sydney FC boss Patrick Kisnorbo, the Taranto Twins, Melbourne City sensation Max Caputo and Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro.

Essendon officials are exploring all available options in an effort to protect their long-term future at Ormond Park and will continue to update members as discussions progress. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the venue, the club stressed that football operations will continue as normal.

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A club source with knowledge of the discussions told HIGHPRESS the Royals were given very little clarity in terms of what their future would look like once they are removed from the ground.

“It’s heart-breaking to lose our home of 60-plus years. The news has really upset a number of members, particularly those who are second and third generation members and families of the club,” they said, with their senior men’s team currently in Victoria’s third tier - VPL2.

“What is even more frustrating, though, is that the Council has been investigating the building and the collapse of the ceiling since February, and despite that process taking so many months, they did not seem to have any real vision for the club’s future, other than to disperse the allocation at Ormond Park to other yet-to-be-decided grounds.

Montemurro, coming off Australia’s two-game international series against Mexico, spoke to HIGHPRESS about the situation.

“The heart of football is community and the endless hours of the volunteers to provide an environment for girls and boys to live their dreams,” he said.

“Royals are an historic club that over the years have provided a safe and enjoyable space for families and the local community to follow their football passions.

“My time at Essendon was not only enjoyable but created friends and colleagues for life. Let’s protect those basic human values of community.”

Johnathan Clemente is one of those individuals who have come through the Royals. He has also called Ormond Park home for decades.

While now he is currently assistant coach of Melbourne Victory’s A-League Women side, Clemente retains a strong family connection to the club and the venue.

“Ormond Park is where I grew up, spent all my childhood, fell in love with the game, started my passion for coaching and was the backdrop of my Dad & I’s bond,” he told HIGHPRESS.