THE MELBOURNE Football Club and Melbourne Cricket Club have joined forces again, with the MFC becoming a 'sporting section' of the MCC.

Melbourne, the oldest remaining football club in the world, became part of the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1889, but the two clubs separated almost 100 years later in 1980. After 30 years, the two entities have realigned.

The agreement, which MCC president David Meiklejohn said was "many months in the making", allows the Demons administrative occupancy of the MCG, defined in a release from the club as support in relation to the facilities, business and financial, and social and cultural aspects of the MCC.

"This very important and historic agreement recognises a grand sporting tradition that is central to the competition, and goes back to the very foundation of the game itself," Meiklejohn said.

"Appropriately, given its importance, the creation of this agreement has been many months in the making."

Melbourne president Jim Stynes said the realignment came after a long period of time.

"The relationship has been building and building … they were very open about it, which really gave us great hope," Stynes said.

Meiklejohn said Stynes had been pivotal in making the reunion come about.

"Jim and his team approached us to say: 'Can we move to the next level, rather than just getting financial support? Will you work with us and take us back into the family?" Meiklejohn said.

"So it was very much a Jim Stynes and his new board initiative."

A new document has also been created to symbolise the renewed connection between the football and cricket clubs. The document focuses on the history and heritage of the two clubs, and mentions the “spirit of mutuality and reciprocity” that the new agreement will foster.

Read the full press release on melbournefc.com.au

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