“It’s good quality football that excites the fans and gets them on the edge of their seats, so that they’re excited by what they see, or what they are about to see.
“When I was a kid growing up, I used to go to Manchester United, and I’m old enough to remember Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law, George Best. I used to be awestruck.
“As a five, six or seven year old, I’d be in there – and suddenly Bobby Charlton would get the ball, and people would stand up off their seats because something exciting was about to happen. I want that same experience for you guys. But I want to win as well.”
These were the words of coach Mike Mulvey a month ago, when talking about ‘the Brisbane Roar way’ at a fan forum held in East Brisbane.
They were some of the more popular among the small yet passionate crowd in attendance that night, and why wouldn’t they be?
People like to be entertained, and success doesn’t go astray either. It makes sense that any coach, in a position to do so, would make these their goals. That we all agree on.
It’s fair to say though, that a little deeper analysis is required in identifying the room for improvement within a team, and a club.
As someone who heard those words first-hand, I would like Brisbane Roar supporters to know, in Mulvey, we have a man with a will.
What is yet to be seen is: Do we have a way?
Of course, this is not really one question, and it’s not really for just one man.
With discussion of the team very much Mulvey’s department, Managing Director Sean Dobson fronted up to questions regarding matters off the field, including bravely tackling one of my own.
These were largely to do with crowd numbers.
My question to Dobson read: “As a Roar season ticket holder from season one, I feel that the Roar match day experience, as the club has grown, has become increasingly artificial due to too much over-policing from Suncorp Stadium staff (also on the advice of the club as I understand).
“I believe a big part of Western Sydney’s success in one season, apart from their demographic, is the atmosphere they provide.
“Football fans are treated differently to other codes in Australia, particularly in Queensland – despite the fact that followers of AFL, cricket and rugby league are equally if not more rowdy than those of football.
“My question therefore: What steps are you taking to create a Parramatta-esque fortress?
One suggestion I have is that members still dominate the ‘Den’, but no more wrist-bands or aisle monitoring. You don’t want to alienate people; we are not dangerous!”
Even though I earned ‘most political answer of the night’ for this, I was pleasantly surprised by the response it got.
Most notably, the club’s intention to find a commercial partner to assist lowering the price of Den memberships, with the aim of the club to increase the overall membership to around 8,500.
While this figure is less inspiring than the 10,000 many fans had in mind, if the target average crowd of 15,000 is met, then the club is steadily growing.
I was less impressed by the attempt to reassure me with the knowledge that the new head of The Queensland Police Service was a “football fan”, but such a response was to be expected.
Yes, there is a reason those words from Mulvey are the headline. Despite refusing to waver from his ever-dry delivery, they contain a love for the game, something we can all appreciate.
All the other answers of the night were filled with pragmatism, but this is not a bad thing.
Much like the master of dryness himself, Wayne Bennett, with rugby league – so too does Mulvey want to deliver sustained success to this football club, which already has two championships and one premiership to its name.
This is evident in the clear prioritising of matters on the pitch, with the marketing budget spent on bringing back Matt McKay.
It seems to be working, with an undefeated pre-season against A-League opposition so far.
In terms of maintaining this success in the future, it all goes back to ‘the Brisbane Roar way’. Mulvey is part of the fabric of youth football in Queensland, famously fielding the youngest A-League eleven when briefly in charge of the now defunct Gold Coast United.
It was a side that included Ben Halloran, who subsequently joined him in Brisbane, and has since gone on to Fortuna Düsseldorf in the German Bundesliga 2.
Now, Mulvey has already earmarked youngsters Lachlan Jackson, Patrick Theodore, Brandon Borrello, Ben Litfin and Kwame Yeboah as those to look out for. They train with the first team every day, and are more than likely to play a role this season, with Yeboah in particular having impressed with three goals this pre-season.
It appears there is more to come from this young, yet already decorated football club.
With the promise of fan forums becoming a more regular thing, and the season now only two weeks away, I for one, am looking forward to more of ‘the Brisbane Roar way’.
tim coburn
Guest
No worries Jim, of course you are correct in our mutual love of this club and the great work from people there today. Now if we can only get 30000 turning up for the home games. regards tim coburn
j binnie
Guest
Tim - As I said I have no desire to continue with this discussion so I will only say one thing,when you use the term "old" and you are talking about an organisation that is 56 years old it would be better to put a date to the time you are talking about.Although I was at Lions for only 3 years I had direct contact with the people building the organisation from about 1965 when they played their games at Darra.in the old Association and am glad to say I would still count some of them as good friends today. Let's call a truce, for after all we are both Roar fans Yours jb
tim coburn
Guest
You should also have read with a little more care Jim, I did say some of the old Lions Directors, and was not necessarily writing of the founding Directors. Their was a bit of ill feeling towards the old Lions and their are a lot of people who would not give them any credit for the formation of the roar. To deny any input from the old Lions is rubbish, I know the people who were there, and they know who they are. I have to say that I do not remember you being a committee member but that's ok because you do not remember me either. regards
Ian
Guest
I don't see the name changing or the predominant colour of Orange. it would be ridiculous to change it. possibly a small change to the logo if at all. I love it the way it is LOVE IT Bring on season 9.
j binnie
Guest
Tim - read what I wrote with some care. I served as a director with Lions for 3 years & know very well who the individuals were who "built" the original Hollandia club,In fact I spent 3 months of those 3 years putting together the history of the club 1957 -1982 which was accepted by the board as their programme for their 25th anniversary game at Progrees Rd.Some of the fellow directors I served with were actually the sons of the fathers who had been on the original "committee" as "the board" was called.back in those early days. There is another story that you probably don't know & is better left untold, but you can take it from me there was none of the original directors around in 2005. Whether you agree with me or not doesn't matter a whit but all I ask is that in your mind you recognise the men who deserve the credit.Many of their offspring are still around & deserving of your support as they try to build the Queensland Lions (still in existence) into the power they once were. ok? jb
tim coburn
Guest
Sorry mate I totally disagree with your reply, I still say that without several Directors of the old Lions, the roar may not have been born in 2005. Their was a lot of input from these people. Why did the roar end up with an orange and blue strip. regards
j binnie
Guest
Tim - while agreeing in principle with what you are trying to say I would caution you to check the facts behind the "Roar" & those hard working individuals who started a club in 1957 & worked their backsides off to bring to fruition the club, Hollandia. With the coming of the edict to get away from nationalistic names they became Brisbane Lions & were probably the most asset rich club in the NSL. Most of those men had very little,if anything, to do with the creation of Brisbane or Qld Roar in 2005,some 48 years after their initial formation.so make sure your accolades are aimed at the proper targets, for I know many of the people you are referring to & agree they deserve praise but there are very few.if any, have anything to do directly with Roar. jb
tim coburn
Guest
The club that started the whole thing should not be forgotten, a lot of risk, sweat and toil from the Directors of Qld Lions, went into forging the start of the Brisbane Roaqr. I agree the name could have been better. But I hope that they keep some of the orange in the strip in memory of the people at Qld Lions who worked their butts off.
gawa
Guest
When Sean Dobson raised the subject of the logo and name this was a clear sign that we are maturing as a club. Time to get a less disneylike name and logo. We can drop Roar from our name while keeping it as an official nickname. Rightly so the Orange is a non negotiable.
Darby
Guest
I don't think Bakrie have much in the way of plans for us at the moment. And Kluivert is really nothing more than an "ambassador", which is still pretty cool, and further sour ties in the Netherlands.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I think we'll get along just fine Darby. Loved the read, and I look forward to more, especially if its Brisbane focused!
Ian
Guest
Good article. I went to the fan forum as well. They also posed questions sent in by fans who couldn't attend....though they read out one of mine though I was there..... Mike's response as quoted above and one about the fans and the crowd was inspiring. Talking about how he and the players felt after the last home game against Sydney he said the fans were fantastic and crowd involvement and noise was top class. And his passion for coaching Brisbane and love of the city was fairly evident. Though I wasn't necessarily in favour of changing the logo like some fans were. But it was a good forum. Last email from the Roar had memberships at 5653.
Franko
Guest
Any word from the Bakrie's and their plans? And what ever happened to Pat Kluivert, any link remain there?
redbur95
Roar Rookie
A brilliant, passionately-written article. From a fellow Roar fan, well done.