words from an adoring fan

[joshhem]

I found this on the lions site....I'm sure u've all seen it, but hey i still think is great. Comments???

WORDS FROM AN ADORING LIONS FAN

Retired Insurance Manager John Maher, of Longlea, Victoria, has sent the following comments to the Brisbane Lions. They are posted here on the club website to typify the sort of spirit the club is looking forward in 2001.

"Yesterday (23/01/2001), I had the pleasure of attending the Brisbane Lions training session as a guest of Phil McGarry, I met several of the players and felt part of a football club again.

All my life (50 years) I have been a supporter of the great Fitzroy (Lions) Football Club. However, like so many others since 1996, I have found myself well and truley in the football wilderness, I did try to support Brisbane in the early days but I (like so many others) was so devestated and disolusioned by the demise of Fitzroy, I couldn't support Brisbane, and in fact lost almost all interest in AFL football.

Last year I tried to support Richmond, that did not do anything for me as I could not unreservedly support a team that I had hated for my previous 49 years.

I am now back....and I am supporting the Brisbane Lions.

I have been (like so many others) in the football wilderness since 1996, and that is a very long time.

I know of many other former Fitzroy supporters who have been in football limbo since 1996, and I firmly believe that if the Brisbane team targeted the former Fitzroy supporters, there is a very real possibility that most of them are ready and need to be brought back into the Lions Den.

I know I have been in limbo for a long time, and I feel very happy, relieved and excited to have returned, I feel that I now have a football purpose, a feeling of belonging to someone again and for the first time in 5 years, I am looking forward to a football season where I can support MY team.

John

[joshhem]

I think this is great!!!! Good to see that the roy fans think that the merger was fair and they didn''t loose out too much!!

GO THE LIONS

[Mr Ripper]

Josh, I've thought that way since day 1; and more and more Fitzroy people feel that way as each year passes, despite what the blinkered anti-Brisbane propogandists may claim.

[lioness]

Same here, I always supported the Brisbane Lions idea, and have followed the club since day 1. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif

[mud n blood]

I went the other way .... I was always a Carlton man since my old club (Coorparoo) wore the same strip. Once the Bears came around, I kinda followed them, but they used to get such pizzlings week-in-week-out !!!

I thought the Bears finally came of age when they shifted to the Gabba, then qualified for the finals for the first time. So when the merger came about, personally I was against it totally, but knew deep in my heart it was the best for both clubs.

I too think much much more can be done in Melbourne, mobilising the old Fitzroy fans. I have mates down there who reckon nothing is being done at all.

Is this in fact so ?

Secondly, shouldn't the Lions keep a Fitzroy side going down there in a local league ? It would give those diehard locals who refuse to accept the merger a Fitzroy team to follow, keeps the spirit alive, may identify new talent etc ... the list goes on. Just think, the Lions trial match each year could be the Lion Cubs v Fitzroy, played both in Melbourne and Brisbane to fire up the fans for the upcoming season.

I'm rambling .....

[Beausgirl43]

I'm with you Joshy Boy, I thought the article was great.
cheers...

[lioness]

mud n blood, I really like your idea of the Lions having a local 'Fitroy' side, I think that would really work. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif The Brisbane Lions are doing an awful lot to accommodate the needs of the Melb-based fans, especially in 1999, it was really great. I think they're doing the best they can, I think their greatest obstacle is that the numbers of members down here keeps changing, people get disheartened all over again, don't renew.......give them a few more years I say, they are doing pretty good so far IMO. http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif

(Vic-based member - well about to renew, anyway http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/smile.gif And my boyfriend is gonna be a new member YAY http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/biggrin.gif) ok now I'M rambling http://www.bigfooty.com/ubb/tongue.gif lol

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*the one and only lioness*

[Roger The Sheep]

Good on the bloke for rediscovering the True Belief.

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http://www.afunzone.com/shep_anm.gif
Roger.

[Beausgirl43]

I think your adorable Joshy Boy. hehehe
cheers.