The Roar have welcomed the A-League’s expansion plans for Queensland – even if it forces them to change their name.
Football Federation Australia on Thursday granted provisional licenses to two new Queensland teams – the Gold Coast Galaxy and Townsville-based Northern Thunder – with both to join the current eight teams as early as next season.
Roar chief executive Lawrence Oudendyk today said he was excited about the new additions – although it could force a name change for the foundation A-League club.
He said the club’s board would discuss whether a new moniker was needed in the coming months.
“My initial reaction is that we put a lot of money and time into branding our club and the name is Queensland Roar, and I believe going forward that we will stick with that,” he said.
“However, the board may see it differently over the next four or five months.”
And the Roar may not be just saying goodbye to their name – Queensland today gave their strongest indication yet that Brazilian striker Reinaldo would leave.
While the lanky 23-year-old was much maligned early in the season, he proved a lethal weapon as the Roar progressed to their first ever A-League finals series.
“We have only got five players coming off contract and I think two of those are going back overseas,” Oudendyk said today.
Asked who the players were, he said: “Reinaldo is in discussions with a club in America and Simon Lynch … there is a possibility of him returning overseas as well.”
In all, five players – goalkeeper Liam Reddy, defenders Josh McCloughan and Ben Griffin, and strikers Simon Lynch and Reinaldo – are currently without a contract.
Defender Sasa Ognenovski has already confirmed his move to Adelaide United next season.
As the Roar sweat on player talks, Oudendyk denied the Galaxy’s links with the Brisbane-based club would result in an exodus of players to the tourist strip.
The Galaxy’s director of football Miron Bleiberg was the Roar’s inaugural coach.
Oudendyk said there were enough young talent in Australia to support two new teams.
“There will be players from state leagues that will be asked to step up, but I do believe the standard of football has improved over the last few years,” he told reporters.
“I think we’ll be able to have a very competitive A-League next year.”
Roar coach Frank Farina earlier this week suggested it was “too much too soon” for three teams to be playing out of the Sunshine State.
But Oudendyk today seemed to disagree with his manager.
He said the opportunity for local derbies would produce more interest in the game in Queensland, which should in turn attract more corporate support.
“Overall we’re pretty excited by what’s happening, we think there’s going to be great local derbies coming up, particularly with the Gold Coast, and also with Townsville,” he said.
“If the rugby league example is anything to go by we think our crowds will go up.”
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