Unpaid player wages, snubbing competitive football matches, an uncertain financial future and corporate sponsors fleeing. No, Gold Coast United have not returned to the A-League, welcome to the current daily existence of the Brisbane Roar.
A club that appeared set to continue to build the A-League’s best and most entertaining dynasty looks like it is teetering on the brink. The premiership-championship double of 2013-14 feels much longer than just two seasons ago.
With it paramount that Football Federation Australia concentrates on identifying two new franchises for A-League expansion over the next few months – if they are to meet a predetermined 2017 deadline and maximise the value of a new TV deal – the Roar’s woes are another unwanted distraction.
As Mitch Grima pointed out earlier this week, A-League 11 represents the fourth consecutive year that the A-League has started a season with the same 10 teams, yet that is hardly reason to celebrate.
Brisbane Roar failed to pay players and staff on their June 15 deadline and have reportedly made losses of more than $2 million in each of the past two seasons. It it is well known that owners the Bakrie Group are desperately seeking investment, but could that fourth consecutive year of stable competition already be doomed?
Part of the renewed investment was hopefully going to come from the Brisbane community, yet major sponsor The Coffee Club’s decision not to renew their long-held contract is a sign of a fractious relationship with local business.
The Coffee Club’s owners’ reasoning was strange to say the least. Bakrie Group’s Chris Fong looks to have a fight on his hands to regain the trust of potential local investors. An internal memo leak citing “serious financial liabilities” at the club, and possible legal action against former managing director Sean Dobson, has further exacerbated the situation.
Possibly the worst development, however, was when Football Queensland confirmed that Brisbane Roar Youth, who compete in the National Premier League Queensland, had forfeited two fixtures against Northern Fury and FNQ Heat that were scheduled for this month.
An upcoming fixture against Liverpool was put forth as a meek reason, with youth players required for the match day squad, yet it has been reported that finances were so bleak that travel costs could not be covered for trips to Cairns and Townsville.
Treating such an important competition, which gives Australian youngsters a vital path to professionalism, with such disdain is simply insulting.
New coach John Aloisi takes charge of his first training session on Friday and he appears to be taking a new approach with the club. Gone are the overpowering influences of Ken Stead and Dobson – reportedly responsible for Mike Mulvey’s sacking and the ‘football philosophy’ that never reemerged.
The dynasty that Ange Postecoglou conjured up has disappeared. Even one of the men shafted out of the Roar as Postecoglou kicked off his revolution, Craig Moore, has returned in an off-field role to help out former Socceroo teammate Aloisi. Postecoglou’s right hand man Rado Vidosic has been let go.
Yet a new era is not a bad thing, and is probably necessary. The regeneration is raring to kick-off – but only if it is allowed a football pitch. It remains uncertain whether Aloisi’s second stint in charge of an A-League club will be long-lasting, which could have nothing to do with his club’s on-field performance.
Even if the club’s finances are smoothed over, the pre-season has already likely suffered debilitating disruption.
The players are believed to have been paid, yet the transfer of remaining staff members’ wages is yet to be confirmed. July 15, the next pay date, is looming as a defining moment in the Roar’s history. FFA cannot put up with late payments in two consecutive months.
Nathan Tinkler had form at the Newcastle Jets, and FFA were arguably too lenient on the former knight in shining armour.
Yet FFA have already taken charge of one embattled club, can they afford to bail out another? Giving the Bakrie Group more time to sort out their finances is beneficial for all parties, but how long is too long?
If FFA are controlling two A-League clubs at the start of A-League 11, they can forget about expansion plans.
Aloisi’s second chance at management is already looming as a disaster, and plans to reignite a forgotten dynasty could be prematurely derailed. If the Roar get their act together they have a decent base to be a force on the field again. Off the field is still in limbo, however.
Chopper
Guest
With the latest news out of Brisbane Roar about the impending sale one cannot help but wonder if part of the "New Local Consortium" is using $650,000 .00 of ex sponsorship money in order to get the club back on track. If they are I commend them for their passion and undying support. Onwards and Upwards from here I hope.
Waz
Guest
I've not heard that Nic but I just hope whoever invests next has a stronger vision for the club, the current and previous owners have been a real disappointment. As for the wider view, it does reflect badly on football in Australia so let's hope this (and the Jets) are the last time we have to deal with situations like it.
144
Roar Guru
It's a really disappointing case with thr Roar - they are a strong snd succesfull club and if snything happens to them it will blow a hole in football in australia - i've heard they have businessman from England have been looking to buy in Australia
Waz
Guest
I am hoping its Football Operations Manager and big the broader business-wide role of Ops Manager. There's more work needed on the business side which needs experience in business first and football second
j binnie
Guest
Waz - Don't know if you noticed but in reports about this good signing Craig Moore's position in the club was described as "Football Operations Manager". In previous comments concerning Craig's appointment he was described as " Operations Manager" and you and I know there is a vast chasm between those 2 positions. Was this an oversight by the club's publicity department,or does the "prize " fall at the feet of the media recorders who may or may not know about business heirarchies. Cheers jb
Bob
Guest
There's been so many negative articles driven by a seemingly endless string of bad news day after day so this came as a relief pure and simple. A relief. And it looks a very good signing and credit must go to the club for being able to land him inspite of all the competition and negative publicity :)
Waz
Guest
Well said guys.
Lionheart
Guest
You're right chopper, there's no sense in treating them like an opponent. They've been a good sponsor, and might still be into the future. I liked their two for one coffee deals they had on last season if you joined their free club, and I'm sure they also offered free parking at their Paddington cafe for game day lunch. But they've moved away, so good memories and let's hail the new short sponsor.
chopper
Guest
What a positive bit of news with the signing of Maclaren. Maybe that will quieten the negative comments that seem to emanate principally from the media. To those who think they are smart by denigrating the sponsorship that the club received over eight years from the Coffee Club, show some respect for passionate people that not only sponsored The Roar but also bankrolled it prior to the current owners taking control. I doubt if any of the sponsors can actually count the benefit from sponsorship. Anyway Jamie welcome to Brisbane Roar and I hope you score goals by the bucketload.
Paul
Guest
It would make more sense to put young Roar into the Brisbane Premier League and save the travel costs. Some have argued here that the BPL is of similar, if not better, quality than the NPLQ.
Waz
Guest
Me too, couldn't believe my eyes when I read it. Allayed a few fears that we wouldn't be signing anyone this close season let alone a striker. Smart move from Jamie himself I think, team plays good football and creates chances but there's such low expectations for Roar in the coming season there'll be less pressure whereas our Melbourne friends are pencilling in an all Melbourne grand final at the G :)
Waz
Guest
Too true, maybe it was a discounted Uni degree that swung the deal?
Waz
Guest
Agree the whole thing was bizzare but the rush to failure started well before that sacking, remember Trani being removed, Ron "he's my best signing" Smith coming on-board, Kurtishi being signed, and my favourite quote from Mike himself "our winning culture will see us through", Arghhhhhh .... This past 12 months has been like a Shakespearean tragedy and there's no innocent players in the cast, including Mike himself!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Cripes! You can knock me over with a feather. How did JA score this? Was thinking surely that the dark lords over at the Etihad bunker were going to secure his services. Why heck I even thought JVS would make a pitch.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Well you're not paying him with average lattes and over priced pancakes thats for sure ;)
Waz
Guest
At last, some good news. Que the jokes on how are we paying him I know .... http://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/article/roar-wins-race-to-sign-olyroos-striker/14nbzf2c527bg1joocbvz5v15x
Mahler
Guest
The rush of the collapse can perhaps be traced to the bizarre sacking of Mike Mulvey. That press conference will surely go down in football history as straight out of Alice In Wonderland.
j binnie
Guest
Waz- My comment was not aimed at you,or the 10 players you mentioned,as I said it was a step in the right direction,but one has to assume that whoever was organising the school holiday sessions must have known the numbers that were going to turn up ( I assume there was a cost involved therefore a track on numbers) and it was at that imbalace my comment was aimed. 30 players per instructor,(some quaified some not?) just doesn't point to good overall management of the concept. Cheers jb
Waz
Guest
Even the Den Facebook page has nothing - two new articles in two months so it's not just non-football rags at fault, the clubs own "active" support can't be bothered lol
Waz
Guest
allow me to clutch at straws occasionally jb ;-)