AAMI Park, Victory fans voted best in A-League

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For the third time in four seasons, AAMI Park has been rated as the best playing surface in the competition by the 10 Hyundai A-League club captains.

In the same ratings survey, the players also voted Melbourne Victory fans as the supporters that generate the best game day atmosphere in the competition, both at AAMI Park and Etihad Stadium.

Conducted by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the Hyundai A-League stadium ratings are measured by the players according to smoothness, pace and hardness as well as the atmosphere generated in stadiums.

AAMI Park, Melbourne Victory’s home ground, was rated on top by the players who voted on each venue at the conclusion of each Hyundai A-League match on a scale out of five.

Recording an average rating of 4.3, AAMI Park edged out nib Stadium in Perth and Melbourne Victory’s second home ground, Etihad Stadium.

Melbourne Victory CEO Ian Robson acknowledged the results, saying that it is deserved recognition for AAMI Park and the club’s fan base.

“Melbourne Victory is very proud to call AAMI Park home and to be voted by the players as the best surface in the competition is a credit to Shane Mates (General Manager, AAMI Park) and his team for the world-class condition they present the surface in for Hyundai A-League fixtures,” Robson said.

“We know our fans love attending our home matches at AAMI Park and for the players to acknowledge them and the unique atmosphere they generate is a great endorsement of the support they give and the game day experience they create.”

Former Melbourne Victory captain and PFA Executive Committee member Mark Milligan also supported the results.

“To be able to call a world-class stadium like AAMI Park home was truly a pleasure,” Milligan said.

“To know that every week you are going to have a surface, and an atmosphere, that allows you to perform at your absolute best, is a huge benefit. The effect this has on the players can’t be understated and it has the ability to turn an average game into one that is unmissable.”