Brisbane Roar is this season’s most successful club and are going to be competing in next year’s Asian Champions League. Brisbane have surfaced to be in some financial distress and are rumoured to be receiving help, whether that be large or small, from the FFA.
The club has seen dwindling crowd results for their most successful season, but have proven themselves in the past to have strong support in all areas.
Brisbane has a great position to maximise support and reinvent their image for the next season of the A-League and before the Champions League in 2012. A new business model of sustainable ownership from the community, which has been talked about heavily this season, or a billionaire owner could help their financial issues, but whatever happens they need to have a long-term plan.
So a long-term financial plan but what else? The name Brisbane Roar has never really been taken seriously for a start. From quaint beginnings as Hollandia-Inala Soccer Club in 1957 to the first sporting team to be called the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Roar have had many name changes and have never been that secure with their identity. But I propose a change that would leave a lasting legacy of a true football club that many people have proposed before me.
As can be seen in forums and discussions across the internet, I would say there is large following for the club to be renamed FC Brisbane – a beautiful name that would suit the club for many reasons and the style of naming, which can be seen across quality football leagues around the world. Not only does the format of ‘FC Team’ work for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Utrecht and United of Manchester, but also for FC Tokyo and FC Dallas – proof that this quality title would work in a newer league as well.
Fans might suggest that the club has already had far too many name changes for another one, but I believe the changes, particularly when the A-League was created as the club went from Queensland Lions to Queensland Roar and then Brisbane Roar, weren’t thought out properly and were just commercial ‘franchise’ names that people could easily identify. As the club is trying to grow and be taken seriously, I don’t think a nickname like ‘Roar’ (only suited to sports websites) is professional sounding or within the worldwide culture of football that so many Australian fans follow with passion.
The name FC Brisbane works particularly well for a city with ‘B’ – just look at Bayern, Barcelona, Basel – and it happens to be that Barca and Basel also wear the colour maroon (I’m just pointing it out). Bayern are nicknamed ‘The FCB’ and all of these cities names including Brisbane, really roll of the tongue.
So hopefully this could be the last time the club ever changes its name and what better time to do it than when the team is on a high and about to be crowned premiers for their first season. I think the name change would be respectful to the club’s history, unlike commercial nicknames, and most importantly it is simple and elegant – like Sydney FC, but a bit quirkier.
There has also been talk of the clubs colours with people tossing up whether it should be maroon or orange or whatever. I think the best colour scheme would be similar to what the club already use, but a complete removal of blue and more subtle use of orange with less clashing.
AS Roma and Galatasaray would be the perfect examples for future Brisbane kits, but instead of Roma’s majority maroon with yellow/orange touches they should have a large block of an orange/yellow base and then maroon touches on sleeves and for shorts. Galatasary’s half red/yellow jersey with white shorts should be considered possibly for away.
If the club really wanted to use a third strip they could have an all orange kit to represent their Dutch heritage, and as Barca and Galatasaray use as thirds kits as well, or they could keep their white away kit with touches of orange – almost identical to Roma’s third kit. There have been many suggestions like this across the web and I was inspired by a web design for a new FC Brisbane colour scheme, which would be great if someone knew the link.
These colours are the direction I think FC Brisbane would best represent, and the sole maroon should be left to represent the state of Queensland. There is no doubt that similar colour schemes such as AS Roma, Galatasaray, Barcelona and Basel are all related in the football world and people across the world would then be able to relate to Brisbane.
A new logo would probably be necessary and something with a historic crest of a lion like Middlesbrough could work well. A new logo should have the colours virtually identical to AS Roma’s crest.
So while all this might sound pretty drastic and challenging, it is vital to the team’s long-term success and would unlock a real and passionate brand of football club. The A-League would be better off with an authentic and attractive club and I’m certain there would be a surge of supporters and jersey sales. There is not a better time to do it and Brisbane would finally boast a historic club that is in touch with the football world.
A long-term strategy and final name change will only enhance Brisbane’s prospects as a major A-League city and would show Brisbane off to the rest of the country, Asia and the world.
Russell daley
Guest
Hi there my names Russell Daley I've just moved from Mackay north Queensland to north lakes brisbane and I was wondering how do I get to trial with a alegue team I've played premier league since I was 16 but there was no one to look at me in Mackay so I'm determined to have a go here in brisbane with the new uniforms I love them maybe the picture can change to the new teams colour
Leaguie
Guest
I actually really like the bright Orange with Maroon! It's an original colour combination which reflects the club's Dutch heritage with respect to QLD's Maroon. It seems too predictable to use black with orange. There are many football (& other sporting clubs Internatioanlly) that use those colours already. By all means change the name to Brisbane FC, or City & scrap the cartoon lion for a regal lion with the Story Bridge behind it, but don't mess with the original colour combination that the club has made part of our city's conciousness.
Cameron
Guest
Traditionally I am a League supporter. Soccer as it is called in Australia, was my favourite sport to play when growing up. When growing up and playing, all I knew was Liverpool and EPL that was it. Never knew about any other forms of Soccer. That is how shit the organisation of Soccer has been in this country. Stop being so bloody picky about the name and colours of the teams that are in the A-League. People we live in Australia, we have teams like the Bunnies and Broncos, Roosters and Dragons, seriously how professional would you all say that sounds coming from a Football background perspective. You would all think its stupid. We live in Australia and this is the culture we have, this is the silly names that are generally given. I dont know about you all, but I like Brisbane Roar. To be perfectly honest FC Brisbane sounds very nice, very perfessional, neat and presentable, but what kid wants to go watch *in pommy accent* FC Brisbane, seriously! Kids are the future and success of A-League and attendances. Brisbane Roar with the current Logo is very attractive! We are the only team in the A-League with a cool mascot let a lone a mascot. We are not from Spain, France, Brazil or England. This is Australia, now either embrace the god damn A-League for what it is or dont support the bloody thing at all, cause I am sick of all these people who say they love Football/Soccer whatever, and talk about it and live it and breathe it, but to be honest look at the facts, clubs folding, no supporters, no television interest, what more can I say. I am now A true lover of the Hyundai A-League. I went to three games and the Brisbane ROAR!!! Grand Final! It was the greatest sporting event I have ever been too and guess what the kids were there! If you all loved Football!!! so much then get off your arse, get to the game and support your team, otherwise in 5 years all these forums will talk about is the good old days of the Socceroos making World Cup appearances and how well Liverpool went on the weekend against Chelsea
Fer
Guest
I hate to know about the Dutch thing. That's why I never bought a roar jersey. I want to support a local club, and not to wear Dutch colors.
Alano
Guest
The best comment so far!
Mahony
Guest
To the Victory haters - the name "Melbourne Victory" is simply the English tanslation from the Latin "Melbourne, Victoria". So enough of your narrow mindedness. It is a great name with an inclusive geographic, footballing and cultural context and tradition all in one and the team also seem to win more than they loose...... As to Brisbane, I life FC Brisbane - even allowing for the FC incorectly being at the begining...... I wonder what some of the posters above think of FART FC, Team Crushers FC and Bankok Glass et al? The Eurocentrism of some on hear is insane. It is the world game and team names reflect this wonderful diversity. If the aim is to get a name for Brisbane that people will relate to in our culture - sure, use a Eurocentric one, but simply dismissing alternative approaches as not being traditional is garbage thinking.....
BrisbaneBhoy
Roar Rookie
I personally believe the city coat of arms should be the badge. If not that, then something that relates to Brisbane. As for the colours, unfortunately I think the days of getting blue and gold/yellow are long gone, as far to many teams in the league have those colours/very similar colours (unless Gold Coast folds, and gets merged with Brisbane then the colour scheme could be a go ahead). Even though I'm not a fan of the Oranje, I believe it should stay as there shouldn't be a complete overhaul of changes. Drop the 'Roar' from the name, and bring in a badge that relates to Brisbane should do a world of good.
MelbCro
Guest
"From quaint beginnings as Hollandia-Inala Soccer Club in 1957 to the first sporting team to be called the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Roar have had many name changes and have never been that secure with their identity." incorrect. the Hollandia backers of Roar pulled out a few years ago. The current incarnation of the Roar is not connected to Hollandia
BrisbaneBhoy
Roar Rookie
It has nothing to do with not being English or European sounding for it's ridiculing - It's because it it a horrible, embarrassing name. It is a gimmick, a poorly thought out gimmick name at that. It's hard for people to take it seriously, when it appears that they (board/owners) don't even take themselves serious.
TV
Guest
Why not use the colours of the city of Brisbane - Blue and Gold. The could incorporate the orange using a sleeve colour or something like the socks or shorts. And why does it have to be a lion, why not the city's fauna emblem the Graceful Tree Frog (though I can't see this taking off).
Sporting_Brisbane
Guest
Sporting Brisbane works.. simply because it sounds similar to Sporting Lisbon..
egg
Guest
i dont understand why everyone is so patriotic about Brisbane but somehow still want maroon colours? maroon is a queensland colour, we are no longer a queensland supporting club, we are a Brisbane club.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Interesting you should mention Arsenal ... Whilst you are correct that Arsenal is not a specific geographical area, from what I have read, Arsenal FC was founded by workers at the Royal Arsenal, which was an ammunitions factory located in Woolwich, London. The club's name was The Royal Arsenal (also, the name "Woolwich Reds" was used). The club entered the professional football league as Woolwich Arsenal in 1893 and today it is known simply as Arsenal FC.
victoryblog
Guest
"Where are the Kookaburras, Dingoes and Emus of the world?" No thanks. Tacky as. While "Victory" is brilliant it at least has an affiliation with the word 'Victoria". I would prefer it though if it was just a nickname and not apart of the actual name.
victoryblog
Guest
Really? Don't like the red shorts and socks with the re & white stripes. Looks weird. They should change next season and have white shorts instead.
victoryblog
Guest
Naming teams after animals is fine (especially when the animal is native to the teams location) as long as its a nickname and not in the actual name title - for example Sunderland are just known as Sunderland but their nickname is The Black Cats. "Football teams should be traditional with a name focused on a geographical region." - not necessarily. There's no actual place called Arsenal. I loved "Sporting Melbourne". Why didn't more people vote for that?!
Roarchild
Roar Guru
Interesting with all the $$$ and research as well as fan interaction that the AFL poured into GWS they came up with Orange and Black..... pretty much what the Roar will be next year.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I often wondered about this, JB. Is 'Victory' or 'Glory' any less deserving that 'Sporting'? I think that age and familiarity gives names gravitas and I'm sure given time the same thing will happen with all the A-League monikers. You don't hear stories of people agahst at the naming of Kashima Antlers or Pohang Steelers.
JB
Guest
Same day and we have one article criticising Newcastle for changing colours and strip. And we have another article calling for changes to the clubs name. I think the names Roar, Victory, Fury are all wanky. Sounds horrible. I refuse to refer to Melbourne as Victory. FC Brisbane don't work though, and not sure they could do Brisbane FC because i don't know the actual Brisbane Lions club name, but i'd assume it's Brisbane Lions Football Club. Too similar.
damos_x
Guest
Nail hit squarely methinks ! FC Brisbane just sounds normal for football & as I read the article I immediately thought of Roma for their colours which look great & their simple name & i reckon you're on the money as far as identity & marketing perspectives go. Every club has a nickname but most of them don't actually have it as their name & FC Brisbane sounds more mature.