Viduka honoured that FFA Cup Medal named in his honour

Cpaaa- Thank you for your kind comments and please believe I am not against "dreaming" in any shape or form.You rightly compare Brisbane with Sydney and Melbourne but in my lifetime here I have seen Brisbane grow from "country town" status and with the ever narrowing corridors between say Aspley and Morayfield in the North,Helensvale and Mt Gravatt to the South and Oxley and Ebbw Vale to the West there is a potential for a huge metropolis being formed in the not too distant future.These places I mention were once "extremes " (in my time) yet they have now almost joined up, so it is not "dreaming" to see a "Brisbane" soon stretched from Caloundra to Tweed Heads and out way beyond Ipswich, becoming in fact a true "Greater Brisbane" That geopraphical occurence would then generate the type of population Gallop makes comment on and brings us back to the type of infrastucture needed to generate interest in a sport.So you understand where I am coming from I ask you a question,Would you travel from say Redcliffe to Surfers P. to watch a game of any description with the present transport infrastructue or would you stay at home and watch the game on TV with all it's "benefits".???? That is where football in Brisbane is at at this point in time distance at the moment being prohibitive, TV is perhaps the potential winner in this area and I suppose that is why Channels are now queing up to indirectly pour money into sport, ours,with a world wide audience,probably one of the main benefactors. Cheers,and keep up the good work. jb.

JB that is a wonderful reply and I appreciate the history recap of PP. Your opening paragraph is perfect and yes there is an element of romanticism to what I have said…….which after 10 years of new Football I believe anything now is possible. So JB in this day and age of Australian Football, it is ok to dream and dream big. My comments were only because there is a talk of a second Brisbane team. My view is that a second team will not work in any region outside of the city, it has no point of difference as in Sydney, it has no untapped football heartland. A second team playing out of the same stadium is also not an option. Brisbane is not Melbourne, and Roar does not get the crowds like the southerners. AS for the YMCA, it could have been the headquarters of “Jims Mowing” and Jim himself looking after the fields. You say that “YMCA is the main tenant”, Do you think that’s a good idea for Football QLD to give up what is called “the spiritual home of Football” ? PP has received small upgrades throughout the years and it is all band-aid solutions. On these forums JB, there has been talk in Sydney about redeveloping Homebush, Allianz, upgrading or demolishing Parramatta Stadium. There have been discussions about boutique stadiums. No matter how romantic or complicated it may seem, with discussion of a second BNE team then a boutique stadium is the best option. Ill leave it there JB for there is a sold out FFA Cup final being played tonight. Just another thing we were once told would never happen. ..and in future, please don’t ever apologize for taking too long to explain what lies beneath the surface. We are all better informed from your knowledge. Cheers

Which lucky player becomes the first to win this? My predictions depending on who wins the match: AUFC: Carrusca PER: Mitch Nichols The Mark Viduka Medal: http://instagram.com/p/wqM4HLJDhl/

Everytime jb I read your inside info on the club scene in Brisbane or indeed nationally,it reconfirms my thoughts as an outside observer, putting two and two together from info received from various sources. We all want football to progress in Australia and in our case locally in Brisbane/QLD, but we've already seen the quick demise of 2 clubs in the state,which given that their formation was totally premature, in that the foundation A-League club was changing hands(not without some aggravation as you indicate) at the time and was far from established in the Brisbane sporting market. In fact it was easily the most turbulent period in the clubs short life ,with a clueless non football savvy management raising ticket prices ,when it was obvious that the football on the park was to use the modern jargon an "immature product". For Gallop, repeating the mistakes of the past is not an option. Having read Frank Lowy's life story(fascinating by the way and indicates what sort of man,football aside he is) he doesn't suffer mistakes( one very bad one with Channel 10 purchase) or fools(read employees) who make them. There can IMO be no more expansion cock ups under the watch of one Frank Lowy. I await with fascination any future expansion plans.

Cpaaa- "Romantic thinking" is a state of mind you should always be wary of indulging in for imagining things the way they should be against what they are is a complete waste of time. In this latest comment you state certain "facts" and then proceed to build upon them completely confusing any prospective reader as to what is the real situation.You also appear to put a lot of faith is sources which have proved time and time again to be wrong ,probably being used originally for their "sensationalist comment". I shouldn't bother but I am going to try and sort out your thought patterns in the order you place them. I have tried elsewhere to explain the way things are relating to the legal situation at Perry Park. Perry Park came into being in 1967 when the then QSF were granted the use of the ground as "headquarters" for soccer/football in Brisbane.Four teams were granted permission to use the ground as "home ',Merton East,Hellenic,Bardon Latrobe and Polonia. This arrangement meant that double headers or Saturday and Sunday games could be played there each weekend. This arrangement went on untll such times as huge changes were mandated in the game by the ASF such as the change of names etc and Hellenic became St George and Polonia became North Brisbane. Crowds were never large,at best around 2 to 3000,but with the advent of the NSL in 1977 it was mandated that for 3 seasons the incumbent NSL teams Brisbane Lions (Hollandia) and Brisbane City (Azurri) would HAVE to play their home games at Perry Park. This did not go down too well with the two identities for Lions had their own development out at Richlands,and City under the guidance of Mr Gino Merlo,began to develop another ground out at Spencer Park. With the 3 season agreement completed both identities immediatekly transferred their games to their "own" grounds,Lions owning their real estate but City leasing Spencer Park from Brisbane City Council. Then came "Summer Soccer" and the two 'biggest 'clubs in Queensland weren't even playing in the same time zone.Now you may not know this but the original plan for PP was to have a Grandstand built over the existing buildings but simply due to lack of finance this plan was never completed. For some years PP lay in a position of limbo nothing much happening and then through the auspices of ex-mayor Clem Jones Brisbane Strikers were allowed to use the ground when both City and Lions 'abdicated" from the NSL.Mr Jones was also well known for his atttude to helping sport in all it's forms and when the YMCA were looking for new headquarters this man of vision set things in motion to ensure PP did not become another "sporting graveyard" and so YMCA (a worldwide organisation) were granted a lease on PP.with Strikers as a sub-tenant to the YMCA. So you see PP is still owned by the CounciI but continued improvements and additions to buildings,not to mention upkeep are being made through the efforts of the YMCA and the Strikers.and now Roar appear to be cutting costs by asking for,and being granted a sub -lease at Perry Park for their offices and training facilities.YMCA are NOT co-tenants of Perry Park they are the major lease holder!!!!!!. You then digress into the fortunes of Brisbane Lions and Brisbane Roar.You write a brief history of Hollandia/Brisbane Lions, a definitive connection caused by the afore mentioned mandatory name change laid down by the ASF. Now you ask someone to explain why in 2008 Roar moved from its "fully owned" Richlands base to Ballymore.OK. By 2008 Richlands was no longer 'fully owned" by Hollandia,Brisbane Lions,or Brisbane Roar. This is not a pretty story and as I have said before is better kept off the public domain Suffice to say that the only football identity at Richlands is in fact the now named Queensland Lions,started by some of the former Bribane Lions/Hollandia people and is becoming a very successful junior and youth identity in the local football scene.Queensland Lions do not "own" the Richlands complex. Brisbane Roar is now owned by an Indonesain business conglomeratee and has no connection whatsoever to Richlands or Queensland Lions ,so Roar cannot "go home" to Richlands,simply because it is not their "home". Now if you want to see another Brisbane team playing in the HAL then so be it but I think you will have to do a lot of legal wrangling before Perry Park could be made ready as a boutique stadium.You mention BCC becoming involved but ignore the fact that they would be cutting out a main tenant from their other asset ,Suncorp. Not good business. Sorry I've taken so long to discuss your comment but rest assured I have only touched upon the problems that you appear to ignore for over the lifetime of Perry Park since 1967 there have been political maneuverings that would make your head spin. Hope this helps.jb

Now here is the problem JB. For far too long Football has developed a habit of shooting off its own foot. That story continues with Football in Brisbane today. I was and still am hoping that the FFA can step in and give Brisbane Football some guidance because Football needs it and Brisbane deserves it. I originally didn’t think a second Bne team could work, but now I think there is hope but only with FFA guidance and planning. Firstly Perry Park should not be a training only venue, it is far to historic and special. Read on any Forum or .gov information and it is often referred to as “the spiritual home of Football”…do you think that may need protecting or even exploited by our Football governing body? If you agree then how is it possible that a YMCA, or better known as an average fitness facilitiy are now co-tenants of a historic Football site? It’s the 10th year of A-League and ive asked this question before and ill ask it again. Can someone please explain why? In 2008 the BRoar moved from its, fully owned, Richlands base, in order to pay a lease and train at the home of QLD Rugby ? Now Dobson admits that its not right to be contributing to the pockets of a rival code. http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/aleague-champions-brisbane-roar-leave-ballymore-training-ground-for-spiritual-home-perry-park/story-fnii0fy2-1226912917893 yet still they refuse to go home to Richlands. Quick history for those that don’t know. Richlands is the home of the NSL Brisbane Lions which basically morphed into the Roar today. Founded in 1957 by Dutch Immigrants it would now have to rate as the best Football Club house in QLD. If you are a talented Football Junior, then Lions is where you want to continue to be seen and be playing. The Richlands base accommodates for multiple teams of Football Juniors and seniors. Is there no better way to connect with your community than to inspire the Juniors around you that happen to wear the same colours. Sydney and Melbourne Clubs talk of building a multi million COE yet the Roar already have the foundations in place. A quick wiki page visit tells me that QLD LIONS has over 16, 000 members, and at one stage had more than 30 junior clubs signed on. Yet i read that these days players are out and about in Coffee Club Bars promoting the Brisabne Roar to grandmas…..please. This is not the type of fish David Gallop was referring to! SL, A second Brisbane team will not work out of the same stadium as in Melbourne. A 50k stadium is still too big at present even for the Roar. JB I don’t know the terms at perry park, I cant find the link now but I think the improvemnets made of memory were around 10million. Most of that was council. These are all band aid solutions year after year. The north and south end dosnt matter there is plenty of room to build an intimate football stadium. Like I said, if it were possible, A joint venture between FFA, Council , as in the AFL and Ethiad arrangement would be ideal for Brisbane. Frank Lowey didn’t create wealth by not being a good negotiator. Perry Park is the home of Football for Brisbane, we should not only protect that, but build on that as well.

Cpaaa - Perry Park is neither owned by Brisbane Strikers,Brisbane Roar or any other football club. It is owned by the Council and to the best of my knowledge is leased to the YMCA on a long term arrangement.The YMCA has made large improvements to the buildings on site and again to the best of my knowledge have granted sub-leases to the Strikers and now Roar.so that the football ground can have year round use either for playing (Strikers) or training (Roar.) Now the Park as it stands would be hard to accomodate 5000 people and you wil have noted that due to 2 busy roads at either end of the field expansion is not really an option unless expensive cantilevereing were to take place.The original plan was to have a grandstand built over the present clubhouse buildings but I would think the money was never available to have that completed. Your idea has been discussed many times over the years but the costs of making the necessary changes have always been prohibative.jb

Seeing Labrador - When QE11 was designed it was done so with the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in mind.Now I don't know what you know about running tracks but essentially they have been built all over the world with other uses in mind, QE11 was not!!!!! Some bright spark in the design team came up with the brilliant idea to start and finish the 400 metres (a full lap))etc etc right in the middle of the main stand and that was the way to go.What they did not take into account was the fact that giving a running track that configuration meant the the "grassy bit" in the middle of the running track was not big enough to hold a football match of any of the codes.Broncos did use it while Suncorp was being redeveloped but artificial grass had to be used at the four corners to give the pitch the minimum length and width for international football.It was not long before the players,especially the wingers in the rugby league code were suffering bad skin burns diving over for a try. They were advised by the stadiun owners to wear ladies pantyhose, an instruction that went down well with the lkes of Renouf and Co.Back then FIFA inspected the stadium with the idea of holding the under-age World Cup final there and on questioning the size were told the stadium was built for athletics not football.!!!!!!!! Hence we have a mausoleum that probably has only ever had a 60,000 crowd once and will probably rot away before the fault will ever be rectified. jb PS The running track had to be ripped up and replaced before the Games actually began but even then the flaw was not noticed and therefore not rectified by our forward looking planners of that time. jb

Fuss Great news

The Brisbane Roar have set up their office at Perry Park and this will be their new training ground. I son't see a problem with both teams using Suncorp as a home stadium for a while, after all it is one of the best stadiums anywhere, although it probably doesn't have the atmosphere because it is too large for the average Brisbane football crowd (10,000 to 20,000). However with a serious local derby between two competitive teams and it could rival other sporting codes for crowds.

Towser, Totally agree with all of the above. The only thing i could see working in Brisbane is another inner city club not related to suncorp…obvious choice, Perry Park No matter where you live in BNE, the public transport system to the centre is probably the best ive seen in Australia. There is also nothing exciting about being from the west or south where as in the inner city you have fans willing to travel from all areas. BNE ROAR works because you can live out west, east, north or the south, drive to a Westfield’s shopping centre, park the car and you have a free express bus ride to underneath suncorp stadium….and yes they take you back as well. Perry Park im sure has a bus way close by, but bowen hills train station is across the road. What id like to see is FFA/uncle Frank, open talks with qld gov in purchasing Perry Park. Much like the AFL arrangement with Etihad stadium as an example. Perry Park is an inner city ground and is also the original home of football and could be renovated to be a fine 10-15k boutique stadium. This would be Brisbanes point of difference to Sydney and Melbourne. You wont have too many football fans disagreeing with a boutique Perry Park Club. Forget the Bne strikers, A WSW like task force would need to be created if a second team in Brisbane is to work. A boutique stadium in BNE is missing, would also make use for all school football finals, BNE Roar W-League matches, premier league finals etal. If we look 20 years from now, what would rent in these areas charge? Frank would know better, but if a second brisbane is on the radar, is now the right time to consider the FFA becoming the Land Lord instead of the tenant?

Suncorp is located centrally, so a game each week would be a welcome change as well as a local Derby. Another venue QEII / QSAAC at Mt Gravatt (south side used by the Broncos/Maroons for a long time) has a capacity of 50,000 although it is primarily for Athletics. With both the NRL and FFA considering expanding in Brisbane, a second rectangular stadium may eventually be built Logan/Ipswich which are lot closer to Brisbane than Gosford is to Sydney.

Unless David Gallop has some amazing inside information,that we Brisbame fans don't have, I'm struggling to visualise a second Brisbane side given my knowledge of one the local football scene and two Brisbane as a city. Will not profess to judge Melbourne having only lived there a short time,but do know Sydney well having lived there for many years and having continually followed the football scene their since living in Brisbane. For me West Sydney was a no brainer and even a Southern Sydney team based in Cronulla if done right I can grasp,but a second Brisbane team. For a start apart from Suncorp, their is no modern suitable stadium. Dont mention Ballymore ,you can walk to Suncorp from there in 20 minutes and it!s a dump by modern stadium standards. As for points of difference in Brisbane. There is only one point of difference that I can see and that is living on the Northside or the Southside of the river. As far as Sport goes their is no historical great divide in this respect in any sport in Brisbane. All major sporting clubs gather support from all areas of Brisbane on either side of the river divide. We don't want another club created along the lines of Melbourne City,ie one based on some mystical alternative to the Roar. For starters Brisbane is half the size of Melbourne,with less football history due mainly to it's more Anglo/Celtic nature in the past,although that has changed somewhat in recent years. Most importantly though there is no great divide as mentioned along the lines of Sydney. Where could it go ,wherever I look I see, apart from the divide by nature ,the river I see one Brisbane. Also as I said even if say Logan,Browns plains and surrounding suburbs was seen similar to the "Westies " in Sydney .there's no stadium of suitable standard. Ipswich has been mentioned ,but at 180,000 population would have to one have a new stadium and two would be in the same position as the Central Coast,always looking to poach fans from the Brisbane. If their set up like the Mariners ,they will be seen in the same way ,a little small town club,looking up to the Roar. So let's start in South East Qld in an area with a suitable stadium outside Suncorp and work from there. Only one place at the Gold Coast where GCU used to play. Visited a few times for the so called Derby and a couple of matches when Suncorp was like a lake during the floods a few years ago. A derby for me is between clubs in the same city ,but for this exercise we'll call it the South East Qld derby. Regardless of name I felt it did have some feeling. Whilst not on the same scale as the Sydney/Melbourne derbies it was there. Now we know all sporting teams struggle on the coast to garner community support,failed clubs in all sports tell us so. So number one priority for a Gold Coast club is an owner(s) with very deep pockets. There is no football savvy 2 million population like Western Sydney on the doorstep,but there still is a mixed population from many different backgrounds.Clive had the moolah but NFI about running a football club and what makes it tick,particularly the fans. His MO,shove em in a shoe box,to save money.so the Owners(s) are vital in garnering that community support. Not only that ,but the Gold Coast has a particular persona, a bit of a glamour spot,therefore it needs to play up to that. An International marquee is essential also a credible International coach. Places like the Coast, although not much bigger than Newcastle and surrounds in population are very different kettles of fish. The old horses for courses,. Otherwise for me a second actual Brisbane team ,means that David Gallop is some sort of expansion club whisperer, unless he has a hidden revelation somewhere.

Middy Did you see this article in the week-end papers? The big 3 points: 1. 12 ALeague teams by 2017 2. Commercial FTA TV is interested 3. A new TV deal can be activated & the current one terminated. Very interesting ... $100m/yr TV deal is within reach. Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/new-tv-deal-could-underpin-expansion-to-12-team-a-league-by-2017/story-fni2wcjl-1227155286888

Great to see them name this after the legend that dukes was.

Good to see

Hope so, has been great seeing the Duke a bit recently being he's quite the recluse.

I agree, good choice. I wonder what chance the big guy being on hand to present the medal tomorrow night?

Gives a new meaning to the phrase "an honourable mention." A good choice as he was a superstar in NSL (Johnny Warren medal for two year running as a kid) as well as internationally.

Got to love big Dukes. Is a shame he is such a private person, would love to see him involved in some way be it coaching or punditry etc. Still imo the greatest player we have produced. He is the yardstick for what a top class young striker needs to aspire to at this level before moving overseas - scoring at basically a goal a game. Often puts it in perspective when people are raving about the ability of young players these days