A combined Brisbane Strikers-Ipswich bid is firming as a leading contender for A-League expansion but hopes of a new stadium depend on securing state and federal government support.
It’s understood Miron Bleiberg, the former A-League coach who is one of the key figures involved with the Strikers’ bid, met with Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale on Monday to discuss the possibility of forming an alliance.
While the Strikers have not yet abandoned the idea of going it alone, a joint effort would significantly boost the bid’s financial and political standing and become an attractive option in the eyes of Football Federation Australia.
Specific criteria for expansion will be released early next year, but FFA has made no secret of its desire for more teams in major cities, and the new vision for the Strikers is to pitch to Brisbane’s sprawling western suburbs, including Ipswich, Toowoomba and Logan – all up, a catchment area of around 500,000 people and growing.
It’s envisaged the Strikers’ brand would be retained, but the name of the team could change to include a reference to Brisbane’s so-called ‘western corridor’, where some of the investors associated with the bid have business interests.
However, a new team would have to share Suncorp Stadium with Brisbane Roar until funding can be arranged for a boutique stadium to be built as desired, most likely in Springfield.
With the state and federal governments having recently tipped in a total of $240 million for a new stadium in Townsville, it’s unclear whether that would be immediately forthcoming.
“We’re going to have to do some work out here, we need state and federal government support,” Pisasale told AAP.
“But they’ve got to start realising growth means we need sporting facilities.
“These stadiums are not just for the A-League teams, they get used by all the other juniors.
“Ipswich is growing at an enormous rate and what’s missing is the infrastructure to go with it.”
The alliance is unlikely to include support from Logan City Council, who are already committed to building a $9 million home base for Brisbane Roar at Heritage Park.
Pisasale said he was sure other investors and sponsors would throw their hat in the ring if they could be shown proof of return on investment by FFA.
Pisasale has a long-standing relationship with FFA chief executive David Gallop, who in his previous capacity with the NRL toured Ipswich in 2009 when rugby league was considering expansion.
Gallop said it was the ideal area for a new team and even used a similar analogy – that the NRL had to “go where the fish are biting” – to the one that has become the catch-phrase of the A-League expansion debate.
Pisasale described the NRL as “hopeless” and said they had “dropped the baton” by not expanding into Ipswich.
steve
Guest
There is no new stadium to choose from. The QLD government wont dare offer up money for a new stadium at this point anyway. They could barely come up with the money for the new stadium in Townsville in a Rugby League mad area of the NRL champions of 2015. It would be political suicide to offer up money for stadiums, with Qld Transport, Qld Rail and the Child Safety Departments in the messes they are in that are plastered all over the media on a daily basis.
Cool and Cold
Guest
On Friday night, BR plays home matches in Suncorp for better transportation. On Saturday or Sunday, BR plays other interstates teams at the new boutique stadium for less expense. If BR plays the new Ipswich-Brisbane team, Suncorp is their home venue. If the new Ipswich-Brisbane team plays against BR, it has the choice of holding the match in Suncorp or the new boutique stadium in Springfield area. Springfield residents can have the choice of supporting the new Ipswich-Brisbane club or BR.
Timber Tim
Guest
"However, a new team would have to share Suncorp Stadium with Brisbane Roar until funding can be arranged for a boutique stadium to be built as desired, most likely in Springfield" Answered it right there why a second Brisbane team won't happen. When you get to March/April/May how will you accomodate 2 A-League teams, an NRL team and a super rugby team. They need another stadium immediatly or there will be no point of difference to the Roar.
Cool and Cold
Guest
I swear I have not read this yesterday: "However, a new team would have to share Suncorp Stadium with Brisbane Roar until funding can be arranged for a boutique stadium to be built as desired, most likely in Springfield." Source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/aleague-expansion-news-second-brisbane-team-leading-contender-for-expansion-franchise/news-story/0cedfcdf9e4ba7a941e8069b076f6da8 Springfield. I have just found out minutes ago.
Cool and Cold
Guest
ps Did you read http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2016/11/30/government-support-needed-combined-brisbane-league-bid From Chermside train station to Sprinfield train station: 1hr 16 minutes From Chermside train station to Suncorp Stadium: 36 minutes That means to say the extra time to travel is around 40 minutes. There is a new train line in Springfield areas and it is the most developed area in Queensland.
Cool and Cold
Guest
I mean there is a choice of choosing Suncorp or the New Stadium. It is not silly. Firstly, from time to time, we hear Brisbane Roar complaining the expensiveness of Suncorp. Secondly, without more factors to consider, it is difficult to lure Federal and Statement to get involved. Thirdly, many would drive to Gold Coast years ago. Afterall, your response reflects that you live in the north.
Chopper
Guest
Waz in Parliament yesterday Turnball replied to a question from Wilkie saying that an upgrade of the North Hobart ground was in line with the governments better regions program that is released in January. Money is available via these grants to the regions. Ipswich is also a region and therefore should be able to apply for a similar grant.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I do miss them.
Waz
Guest
I don't think Tassie has a chance, not in the first expansion round. The tv execs will see to that.
Waz
Guest
People from all those areas currently come into Brisbane to support the Roar, there's logic in the catchment area but the challenge is how go you create an identity that works across such a diverse group?
Waz
Guest
That would mean Brisbane Roar playing home games OUTSIDE of Brisbane and would effectively turn our home games in to neutral games. For fans living an hour North, East or South of Suncorp the journey time to "home" games would then exceed two hours each way. It is one of the silliest statements I've ever read on this site.
punter
Guest
From the start, the FFA wanted 2nd Brisbane team & 3rd Sydney team, but the money thrown by the Tassie bid must've tempted them. The big danger to those two above is still 3rd Melbourne, especially SMFC.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
This is the FFA we are talking about, sounds like a winning bid. Lol.
steve
Guest
I'm not sure people do know where Logan, Ipswich or Toowoomba are. Its laughable that people from these regions will support such a team collectively, especially when they are to be playing games on Brisbane's Northside, well north of the river, but still. There was a tough time getting stadium funding for the Cowboys in rugby League mad Nth QLD, there is no way the government is fronting up money for a stadium for a team with three identities in three different regions. It seems pretty clear there is no funding for a stand alone strikers team. If there was they wouldn't be entering into talks with a supposed western corridor, south of Brisbane, regional city mish mash of a team. The whole idea is a complete joke. All that being said, you just know the FFA are going to get on board with this idea. I can see it coming a mile away.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes and I think some of these bid types get as lost as I do at that store.
Waz
Guest
Everyone knows where Logan is. You've got IKEA!
XI
Roar Guru
I'm partial to the Geelong Goalies
jamesb
Guest
Bring back Nth Qld Fury.
Rellum
Roar Guru
As someone who is waiting for a second Brisbane team and lives in Logan, if this story is accurate, then this bid has no chance. I don't think they even know where Logan is. Be a South of the River team or a North of the river team. Forget marketing yourself to Logan and Ipswich alone. They are too small and too different.
j binnie
Guest
This Western corrider/Ipswich idea is probably about 50 years too late in coming to fruition. There was a time when this area produced lots of international class players for the national team,and names like Lawrie,Kitching,Sanders,Nunn,Warren Gibbs & Vogler appeared regularly with national teams. Like other places in the UK, the area was a "mining district" and as such developed athletes who were strong fit and could look after themselves on the field. The area at that time had at least 4 teams playing in the Brisbane "top" football competition.so there was opportunity all around the area. Come the 1960's and with the entry of money into the game (Federation)many of these men moved their loyalties to Brisbane clubs,ostensibly to increase their overall income.Can't be blamed for that. With this occurrence came a decline in the area's football clubs and attempts were made to form amalgamations in order to "stop the rot" but it was too little too late.. Also the rep.players began to" thin out" with only players like Wilkins, Johnson and Kelly still managing an occasional Socceroo outing.and a few youth internationals winning places. Coming up to date it is hard to think there is still enough "football" interest in the area to support an identity in the HAL. Pity. jb