ALLSOPP BUYS A CAMEL!

ALLSOPP BUYS A CAMEL!

Allsopp quits Victory to join Qatari club, 2009

Allsopp, 31, was a key member of both of the Victory's A-League premiership-winning sides.

He leaves as Melbourne's games record-holder with 89 and his tally of 36 goals for the club is second only to long-time forward partner Archie Thompson.

Allsopp originally joined the Victory from English club Hull City and paid tribute to coach Ernie Merrick and his former teammates before departing for the Middle East on Tuesday night.

"I really want to say thanks to all of my teammates and everyone at the club who helped me get this opportunity, which is great for me and my family," Allsopp said in a statement.

"In particular, I'd like to thank Ernie and the coaching staff, who helped me develop as a person on and off the pitch, as well as the fans who supported me over the years.

"I really enjoyed myself here. They've been the best years of my career and I want to thank everyone for all their help.

"I came to the club when we didn't really have anything. Nobody knew who Melbourne Victory was and now it's pretty big here in Melbourne.

"It's sad that I'm parting ways for the time being to take this chance."

Allsopp was contracted to the Victory until the end of the current season.

His departure leaves skipper Kevin Muscat as the only player to have played continuously for the Victory since the inception of the A-League.

Current squad members Thompson and Adrian Leijer were also there at the beginning of the inaugural season, but have also spent time at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and English Premier League outfit Fulham respectively.

Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said Allsopp would forever be a part of the club's history.

"To put it simply, Danny has been a tremendous player over the past five seasons and leaves as the club's record games holder and second highest goal scorer," he said.

"We wish him and his family all the best as he embarks on the next stage of his career."

Allsopp won the Golden Boot award as the league's leading scorer in 2006-07 and made his international debut for Australia two years ago.

AAP

C-Diddy2009-09-08 20:49:52

I think Coops has just collapsed in all the excitement.

SO how long do we think he'll last?

I think given that he is Australian.

He will hate their culture, shout loudly in english and when they don't understand him, get angry and call today tonight or ACA.
Forget which hand is for eating.
Try to change their way of thinking, And start a riot on the beach


OR

2-3 years if he doesn't get picked up by another european club.Stefan2009-09-08 21:03:35

Apparently they offer much higher salary and given that his 31 (getting old quickly) it is quite a understandable move for him...not many years left to earn some extra $$.

There was another article on here somewhere referring to it being a 7 figure salary.

Good for us because he always seems to score against NZ teams

Fair enough he's leaving too - only has a few years left in the game and if you had a chance to get one last big pay day, why not take it?

Melbourne better start splashin' the cash otherwise I can see them being on a tough road to the finals. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!)

 

I really hate that prick.

I hate all pricks

OH DANNY ALLSOPP

How much salary cap would they have though? They had to pay to keep Hernandez and already a pretty strong squad with depth. Ney Fabiano will have to have a big year for them IMO.

Again, I have seen this mentioned somewhere, and I'll try to dredge it up.
Their cap is quite a bit.
They have quite a bit to splash around too given their new stadium

Victorian State Government + Private Investors building new stadium, Stefan

So long and thanks for all the goals/silverware/memories!

How long before Smeltz/Judas gets an offer too good to refuse? :)

January - Manchester United. I hear his agent is preparing a brochure to send to Sir Alex that rivals michael owens,has pretty drawings and everything.