A simple question needing a simple answer

[FunkyBlue]

It's a fact that several Fitzroy supporters have been asking for more recognition for their club from The Brisbane Lions. What I am having a hard time understanding is exactly what would be required by the Lions to see these people happy.
I found this post by Roylion back in August 2000, here on bigfooty. ( I know my posting of quotes hasn't been met too favorably previously, but please bare with me.) I apologize Roylion if you feel it inappropriate for me to quote you, I would have emailed you and asked permission but it was unavailable.

In response to a statement that Fitzroy was dead, Roylion argued the fact that they lived on for the following reasons......
he posted

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a) The merger licence states that Fitzroy's 'Lion' and colours must be used in 'perpetuity'- forever.
b) The theme song to Fitzroy's old tune has lines from the old Bears and Fitzroy's theme song, with a heavy predominance to the Fitzroy side of things.
"We are the boys from Brisbane Town
We wear maroon, blue and gold
We will always fight for victory
Like FITZROY and BEARS of old." etc etc.
c) The Lions train in Brisbane before a Brisbane match and in Melbourne for a Melbourne match. 500 supporters turned up to the training run before the Carlton-Brisbane semi-final at Fitzroy's old stomping ground the Junction Oval. They also train at Albert Park (where Fitzroy used to train) and also at the MCG...as Fitzroy used to do before it's MCG games. So your argument that they train only in Brisbane is just crap!

d) Red Devil raised that it was a sham marriage because only two-three old Lions players were in Brisbane's side. Seriously is that the best argument he could come with? So what! Players come and go from any club these days in large numbers, with at least a 15% turn-over on a senior list every year and to claim that the merger is a sham marriage, because not many Fitzroy players went to Brisbane, is frivolous and just clutching at straws for want of a better argument. How many Fitzroy players would have gone to North Melbourne, if they had been the successful merger partner? 8-10 players at most. I bet, given that Fitzroy had a VERY poor list in 96 that most of them would have gone from North Melbourne's list by now. Would Red Devil have then claimed that the North Melbourne-Fitzroy merger wasn't a real one and it was sham marriage? How many times does Red Devil have to be told that the decision about how many players from Fitzroy, Brisbane could take was made NOT by Brisbane and NOT by the AFL Commission but by the other 13 AFL clubs as a condition of the merger.
e) Red Devil claimed that the reason it was a sham marriage was because the Lions played "F@#% All!" matches in Melbourne. I don't know what his definition of "F@#% All!" matches is, but in Season 2000 they played 1 Ansett Cup match + six ' Home' matches + 1 final in Melbourne. 8 matches in all. The Gabba had twelve matches (11 home games + 1 final. It's not a huge difference, although naturally as a Victorian I would like to see as many as possible. All Victorian members by virtue of getting a Vic. membership gain FREE admittance to Lions matches in Melbourne both H&A and Ansett Cup. These are our home matches. "F@#% All!" matches!? Geez what do you expect, when it's a merger between a club (the Bears) that has it's own stadium and represents a capital city with a club (Fitzroy) that had no real home and represented just one tiny suburb of another capital city. Yet another crap argument from Red Devil.

f) Red Devil said "When Fitzroy played their last game, there was a farewell to the club at the end of the match. There was no farewell to the Bears." So to someone as credelous and ignorant as Red Devil, of course that's all the proof you need that Fitzroy ended and the Bears didn't.
The Bears no longer exist either as a legal or AFL entity. A new licence was issued by the AFL and a new company the "Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy Aust. Football Club" (trading as the Brisbane Lions) was formed. The reason that there was no farewell to the Bears was because there was no huge tradition to farewell (10 years in Queensland and 4 years actually in Brisbane) and the fact that an AFL club was not leaving the city. The Bears were replaced by a NEW club, the Lions, formed by the merger. Geez I can just imagine the Bears parade of champions at the Gabba, or should that be at Carrara. Can you work out, Red Devil, why there was no parade to farewell the Bears, or is that too difficult for you to comprehend?
g) The clubs sponsored by Brisbane Lions are those that specifically played in Fitzroy colours, or have the name or have some other connection to Fitzroy. Brisbane sponsor far more clubs in Victoria than do most other "interstate" clubs" other than the Sydney Swans. By doing this they are taken the role that the FFC would have taken if it was an AFL club still. It's not just limited to merely monetary sponsorship either. Having kids who currently play or have played for the Fitzroy Juniors at the Brunswick Oval (the heart of Fitzroy) which is one of the sponsored clubs of the Brisbane Lions, what would Red Devil know of the sponsorship levels provided by the Lions or what is done.
h) The Brisbane Lions acknowledge Fitzroy history and tradition in their Yearbook and periodic magazine "The Lions Tale", by featuring stories on great players, supporters, old matches etc etc. that can be read by former Bears supporters as well as Fitzroy people;
i)The Lions B&F medal the Merrett-Murray Medal PARTLY named after Fitzroy Brownlow Medallist Kevin Murray; Named after Roger Merrett as well because it was a MERGER or MARRIAGE!
j)The "Fitzroy-Brisbane Past Players Association" (COMBINED/MERGED) is an active part of the Brisbane Lions and headed by Norm Brown a Fitzroy great). It's membership includes most past players who are still alive;
k) The acceptance of the Brisbane Lions as a PARTIAL continuation of the Fitzroy club in the AFL by former Fitzroy players such as Mick Conlan, Laurie Serfini, Kevin Murray, Gary Pert, Paul Roos, Bill Stephen, Kevin Murray, Norm Brown, 'Titch' Edwards, Bernie Quinlan, Brad Boyd, etc; I myself have spoken on several occasions to players like Micky Conlan, who believe that the Lions have done a fantastic job in preserving and acknowledging the Fitzroy history. Gary Pert for example is a Brisbane Lions supporter and member as are his kids. Brad Boyd, Fitzroy's last captain is a firm supporter of the Brisbane Lions and beleives that if Fitzroy had to merge they could have done it little better that what actually happened.
l) The Melbourne social club established in the heart of Fitzroy's old recruiting zone at Bulleen;
m) The Lions Den at the social club at Bulleen full of Fitzroy memorabilia. There's another large amount of Fitzroy meomorabilia at the Gabba, which Paul Roos mentioned on Channel 7 on Sunday. Roos stated than in his opinion there was plenty of Fitzroy in the new Brisbane Lions.
n) Fitzroy Life Members are automatically life members of the Brisbane Lions. Former Fitzroy life members have been officially presented with their Brisbane Lions life membership in several ceremonies held by the club.
o) The Brisbane Lions hold annual family days in Victoria, in which most of the Brisbane senior list are present and where this year 5,000 Brisbane Lions Victorian supporters turned up;
p) continued production of new Fitzroy "memorabilia" that the Brisbane Lions pay for and sell. The latest is a magnificent framed poster of every Fitzroy player to have played 100 games for Fitzroy;
q) The establishment of the "Fitzroy-Brisbane Historical Society" by the club and staffed and run by former players whose mission is to collect amd commemmorate Fitzroy history. This is done under the auspices of the Brisbane Lions.
r) 10,000-12,000 Brisbane Lions supporters at most Victorian matches depending on the opponent. 3,000 paid up Victorian members in Season 2000. Fitzroy only had 8,000 members in 1996 and crowds to match. I went to an AFL match between Sydney Swans and Fitzroy in '95 at the Western Oval that had 5,000 people turn up.

s) only Melbourne has after-match functions where Victorian (read Fitzroy) supporters can intermingle with the players. This does NOT happen in Brisbane, after a home game.
t) Co-captains. Michael Voss and Alistair Lynch. Voss for the Bears, Lynch for the Roys (and I realise Lynch was a Bears as well!)
------------------------------

This is is only part of Roylion's post, but it is the part that I feel is relavant. I hope I haven't take things out of context.

I realize that the 2001 draw differs from that of last year with only 5 Lions games being played in Melbourne. But consider the fact that extra games such as qualifying, semi-finals, prelim and the big one... the Grand Final, could all be played in Melbourne. I know that doesn't even the score considering the amount of "home" games being played at the Gabba, but I for one would give up 10 home games just to be sitting in the crowd at the MCG, watching the boys bring home the flag. Financially that is not a possibility for me, and many other Brisbaneites.

Have things changed so much in the last 6 months as to the Lions contribution towards Fitzroy to leave the ever faithful Fitzroy supporters asking for more?

This is a serious question, it is not my intention to start another "slag-fest". Maybe if it was explained to all, in a clear and concise matter, with facts rather than opinions, then we would all understand exactly why the Fitzroy community is feeling that they are not receiving the recognition you feel you are due.

 

[Danni]

Funky blue - that is a very good question....and I for one have lived thru similar versions of that question being asked....

I personally am hoping that this time - fact can overtake opinion.......

And I hope that my initial reaction of 'but if the lions did this and that...' response is not going to happen, as that is opinion and not fact and certainly no gurantee of the suggested outcomes.

[This message has been edited by Danni (edited 27 February 2001).]

 

[sbagman]

I actually think the Bears have done a great job incorporating Fitzroy into their club. I have never suggested otherwise.

I think the location thing is a hard thing to overcome. The fact is that Brisbane is around 1800km from Melbourne, and it isn't getting any closer. This I think prevents me from becoming more closely involved with Brisbane Lions.

I do think though that everyone, both Fitzroy supporters and Bears supporters, must be vigilant to keep and nurture the links in Melbourne.

But put me down on record saying that I think Brisbane have done alot to maintain Fitzroy's tradition.

 

[Danni]

And the fact that you refer to it as the 'Bears' incorporating something into their club - is one of the issues! That seriously insinuates a takeover - a premiditated corporate production - however the boards of each club may have acted - it was never the premeditated action of the supporters, those people that utilise this board.

The Bears don't exist anymore! The Bears don't have a club to incorporate anything into! Unlike FFC Inc - the Bears ceased to exist as of the night of the merger agreement.

The Brisbane Lions are a product of Fitzroy and Bears, and yes I agree with you - THAT NEW CLUB - THE BRISBANE LIONS, has done alot to preserve the Fitzroy side of things.

 

[sbagman]

Yes, um, that was a typo. Take it easy.

I actually addressed this topic a couple of weeks ago with a topic I started... my point was that I thought Brisbane had done all they could. I just find it difficult to see how I will support a team which is based in a city I don't like very much some 2000km away from home. For this reason, I don't really like the idea of relocation.

Maybe when I come back I'll like Brisbane again, and I'll find it easier to support the Lions. At this moment, I am sorta umming and ahhing.

That said, I reckon the Bears fans had a raw deal. I thought they were really making progress to be a team worthy of respect. I think in the long term, it would have been better for Brisbane to have a team which was not half of a team from Melbourne. I doubt very much that the current balance between Melbourne and Brisbane will remain as is forever.

 

[Mobbs]

Originally posted by FunkyBlue (who, in turn, was quoting RoyLion) :
Having kids who currently play or have played for the Fitzroy Juniors at the Brunswick Oval (the heart of Fitzroy) which is one of the sponsored clubs of the Brisbane Lions

I did not know this! I knew that FFC sponsored the Jrs, but I didn't know that Brisbane also sponsored them. If so ... fwoar!

I'm presuming its erratum, but if its true, well, you learn something every day!

'Fitzroy Juniors at the Brunswick Oval' - I thought the Jrs played at the ground in Edinburgh Gardens that is located around the back from the Brunswick St Oval (East Mecca). Once again, if the statement is accurate, I'm on the learning curve.

Almost all of the rest of the quote au RoyLion is pure fact, and I don't deny it. The gripeful dead could argue that :
a) The memorabilia room in the Manningham is frightfully belittling - a bar in a back corner with a dozen posters on the walls,
b) Lynch being regarded as a Fitzroy player 'cut across' is a statement embossed with much lather, as he actually walked out on Fitzroy a short time after stating to fans that he wouldn't do so at the previous B&F (I witnessed this - to Lynch Mob members, no less, folk who named themselves after him),
c) Past players lauding the cause can be as detrimental as it can be advantageous : one of the quoted players now sickens me in fact, with his rabid pleading and wild accostings of myself in person, to cut across.

These contray factors, however, don't push me away from Brisbane.

How much Brisbane does for Fitzroy, in the end, is incosequential to me. What matters to me is gut feeling, it would be remiss of me not to respect it and listen to it.

My heart tells me not to support the Brisbane Lions. Can't really do much about that. Sorry

Also better point out that I questioned one point of RoyLions post, and mentioned three points where nitpicking might bring on argument against three others.

There's another 12 points in the post that I humbly concur with.

(I started with asking whether the Jrs bit could be backed up, that was all I intended to post before I got caught up in another spiel. Apologies.)


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Hallowed be thy Roy

 

[FunkyBlue]

Mobbenfuhrer, I am also unaware of the current situation pertaining to the Lions' sponsorship of the Jrs, though Olmy did mention it in one of his posts about two weeks ago. Not that I'm claiming the statement is correct, Olmy seems to be prolific when it comes to what the Lions do and do not do in reguards to sponsorship etc.

I can't argue as to whether that the memorabilia at the Manningham is belitting as I have only been there once, and I was so drunk that everything but the big screen seemed to blur into obscurity. The Manningham, in it's entirety, is spectacular. At least you can have a meal there and not need the services of a barf bag afterwards..hehe.

 

[Roylion]

According to two directors of the Brisbane Lions who have told me this personally, the Brisbane Lions currently or have in the past sponsored several junior clubs in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. They include the South Morang Lions, Beverley Hills (Paul Roos' club) and I am told, among others, the 'Fitzroy Juniors.' I am unsure of the level of sponsorship, whether it was a few footballs and other gear or a considerable sum of money. My reference to the Fitzroy Juniors playing on the Brunswick Street Oval was slightly inaccurate, but in my original post I didn't want to confuse the person whose arguments I was refuting.

As to Mobbenfuhrer's other points.......
a) Fitzroy memorabilia at the Manningham was very poor in 1997-1999, although has improved since then. Further room for improvement though, I dare say.
b) Lynch. Yes I take your point. Ideally Brad Boyd would have been co-captain with Michael Voss, but at least there was some symbolism in Lynch's appointment as co-captain with Voss in 1997, after Merrett's retirement.
c) Past Players. The offender wouldn't be a certain former fullback now in a position of responsibility, who of course shall remain nameless...but whose identity could probably be guessed by others.

In my opinion why some (not all) Fitzroy people feel alienated by the Brisbane Lions is simply, despite the Brisbane Lions best efforts a lack of presence in Melbourne. This is mainly due to AFL policies and not the fault of Brisbane. However no Ansett Cup round-robin matches, only five matches in Melbourne and one in Geelong and the distinct possibility of two finals at the Gabba, should the Lions finish high enough, is a little offputting for many. On top of that, sometimes no televised coverage of many of the matches that are played at the Gabba.

There's also all sorts of other more 'minor' reasons. No/little use of the name 'Fitzroy' along with 'Brisbane'. Many old timers don't feel the Lion emblem is enough especially as the club has only used the emblem since 1957. The FFC Ltd. still exists and the elected directors opposed the merger with Brisbane in 1996. The fact that their wishes were not taken into account made many Fitzroy people feel that Fitzroy had little to no say in the whole process.

A few ideas have been suggested elsewhere on these boards, as to how Brisbane might increase their Victorian membership. Most of them are good ideas. What many people appear to want is a side bearing the Fitzroy name wearing the Fitzroy jumper in a senior Victorian competition. A couple of directors of the FFC have sometimes expressed amazement at why the Brisbane Lions didn't initially offer or negotiate with the FFC Ltd. some sort of administrative/controlling input into the Victorian arm of the Brisbane Lions. Instead the Noel Gordon administration (most of whom are gone now) sued the FFC Ltd. for control of the Fitzroy Club Hotel putting offside many of the people they were trying to attract and indeed had a lot of influence with the rank-and -file Fitzroy supporters. I always remember Bill Stephen either last year or the year before saying that it was pleasing to see "Brisbane finally extending the hand of friendship to Fitzroy people"

I hope that all makes sense. Sometimes it's hard to hard to describe in a few (?) words. ...as you can probably tell by the length of some of my posts.

 

[Roylion]

According to two directors of the Brisbane Lions who have told me this personally, the Brisbane Lions currently or have in the past sponsored several junior clubs in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. They include the South Morang Lions, Beverley Hills (Paul Roos' club) and I am told, among others, the 'Fitzroy Juniors.' I am unsure of the level of sponsorship, whether it was a few footballs and other gear or a considerable sum of money. My reference to the Fitzroy Juniors playing on the Brunswick Street Oval was slightly inaccurate, but in my original post I didn't want to confuse the person whose arguments I was refuting.

As to Mobbenfuhrer's other points.......
a) Fitzroy memorabilia at the Manningham was very poor in 1997-1999, although has improved since then. Further room for improvement though, I dare say.
b) Lynch. Yes I take your point. Ideally Brad Boyd would have been co-captain with Michael Voss, but at least there was some symbolism in Lynch's appointment as co-captain with Voss in 1997, after Merrett's retirement.
c) Past Players. The offender wouldn't be a certain former fullback now in a position of responsibility, who of course shall remain nameless...but whose identity could probably be guessed by others.

In my opinion why some (not all) Fitzroy people feel alienated by the Brisbane Lions is simply, despite the Brisbane Lions best efforts a lack of presence in Melbourne. This is mainly due to AFL policies and not the fault of Brisbane. However no Ansett Cup round-robin matches, only five matches in Melbourne and one in Geelong and the distinct possibility of two finals at the Gabba, should the Lions finish high enough, is a little offputting for many. On top of that, sometimes no televised coverage of many of the matches that are played at the Gabba.

There's also all sorts of other more 'minor' reasons. No/little use of the name 'Fitzroy' along with 'Brisbane'. Many old timers don't feel the Lion emblem is enough especially as the club has only used the emblem since 1957. The FFC Ltd. still exists and the elected directors opposed the merger with Brisbane in 1996. The fact that their wishes were not taken into account made many Fitzroy people feel that Fitzroy had little to no say in the whole process.

A few ideas have been suggested elsewhere on these boards, as to how Brisbane might increase their Victorian membership. Most of them are good ideas. What many people appear to want is a side bearing the Fitzroy name wearing the Fitzroy jumper in a senior Victorian competition. A couple of directors of the FFC have sometimes expressed amazement at why the Brisbane Lions didn't initially offer or negotiate with the FFC Ltd. some sort of administrative/controlling input into the Victorian arm of the Brisbane Lions. Instead the Noel Gordon administration (most of whom are gone now) sued the FFC Ltd. for control of the Fitzroy Club Hotel putting offside many of the people they were trying to attract and indeed had a lot of influence with the rank-and -file Fitzroy supporters. I always remember Bill Stephen either last year or the year before saying that it was pleasing to see "Brisbane finally extending the hand of friendship to Fitzroy people"

I hope that all makes sense. Sometimes it's hard to hard to describe in a few (?) words. ...as you can probably tell by the length of some of my posts.

 

[Denno]

While I nodded in approval for most of the initial post - this popped up:

s) only Melbourne has after-match functions where Victorian (read Fitzroy) supporters can intermingle with the players. This does NOT happen in Brisbane, after a home game.

Not true - I've been to after-match functions at Coorparoo myself when I've travelled to Brisbane. They are every bit as good, if not better, than the ones down here.
Whoever ORIGINALLY posted that got their facts wrong.



[This message has been edited by Denno (edited 27 February 2001).]

 

[Mobbs]

Thanks, RoyLion, that all makes sense to me.

I had better not name the past player, its really a personal issue for me anyway, he mightn't have had the same effect on others.

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Hallowed be thy Roy

 

[Olmy]

FunkyBlue - I don't really think there is a simple answer to your question. The best place to start is to read over the different topics that have been covered on some of these sites. Apart from being able to talk to different Fitzroy people in person, it's the best way to gauge what their/our opinions are.

Personally, I think a small thing that the Brisbane Lions could do, that would have a big effect, is to place an 'FFC' - and a 'BB' if you like - symbol on the back of the jumper, ala the Western Bulldogs.

It was interesting to note that Luke Power's father, a Fitzroy supporter and someone who takes and interest in the Brisbane Lions, mentioned that it the club were to include such a FFC symbol, that he would be the first person to line up for membership.

I mean, it's like a father seeing his son living with his divorced wife and her new partner. He still wants to know that his son remembers him for who he really is.

After all, the legal name of our club is Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy Football Club, so there shouldn't be too much of a problem in including such symbols (after all they'd only be small anyway).

Apart from that FunkyBlue, you'd have to read over some of the different things that have been mentioned on here (and the Lions forum) from time to time. There is too much to go over it all again! Thanks for asking though.

You might want to have a look at the topic I started on this site entitled "For the record . . .", as well as the topic started by Roylion entitled "Where to now for the Fitzroy Football Club".

They are two of the more recent discussions which have had a few ideas splashed around.

 

[brissy_lionsgal]

Olmy, or any of the other Fitzroy members, didn't anything ever come to fruition about the double memberships with the Brisbane and and Coburg -Fitzroy that had been discussed previously on other Forums (sorry, can't remember if it was on Yahoo or the Lions forum)?

I think what had been suggested was a double membership package, ie members had the option to also become members of Coburg-Fitzroy that was already included in the football ticket.

 

[Olmy]

Brissy_lionsgal, unfortunately Fitzroy no longer has any involvement with the Coburg Football Club.

Essentially, Fitzroy was only a sponsor of Coburg, who in exhange gave Fitzroy the naming rights to the club (hence the name "Coburg-Fitzroy Lions"), as well as use of the Fitzroy jumper for half of the season.

Towards the end of last season, it was revealed that the Coburg Football Club (apart from Fitzroy - which remained as merely a sponsor, or "business partner" if you like), was putting itself into voluntary administration. This means, that the club had debts that it couldn't liquidate, and therefore, the board appointed an administrator to oversee the club's financial dealings.

Through all of this, the VFL came down pretty hard on the fact that Coburg had breached the license agreement (3 times) during that season (ie: not paying the license fee for starters, trading whilst insolvent, and not fielding a reserves team for one week).

The VFL then forced the issue with Coburg, stating that if they didn't align with an AFL club (like some of the other VFL clubs have), then they'd have their license retracted.

So . . . in the venture to align with an AFL club, which happened to be scummy Richmond, the Coburg Football Club were forced to drop the Fitzroy involvement, and change their playing name to the Coburg Tigers.

This is pretty crap, considering that there is already a side, Werribee, which has been called the Tigers for as long as anyone can remember. Similarly, there is no side called the Lions.

It's also worth considering that very few Fitzroy people will now attend Coburg games - and it was these Fitzroy people who contributed to most of the club's attendances in season 2000 (ie: Richmond have made the club less profitable by forcing Fitzroy out).

Therefore, Fitzroy no longer has any presence in the VFL! There was talk of possibly ventures with Preston (Northern Bullants), or the new Tasmanian side, but cold water was quickly poured on those.

Unless Fitzroy can somehow manage to form a stand-alone side all of it's own (which will be extremely difficult without significant financial backing), then I doubt that we'll ever have a presence in the VFL.

So . . . the Brisbane Lions can't really do too much in regards to reciprocal membership rights etc.

In some ways, I'm not sure if they were too interested either. In the "write the Boss" section on the Lions site, a few letters were sent in asking similar questions to the one asked by Brissy_lionsgal, along with whether or not the Brisbane Lions would have an involvement with the on-field happenings of Coburg-Fitzroy, and generally the response that was given by the Brisbane Lions administration and board members, was that the club was looking to establish a stronger foothold in the QLD local competition, rather than the Victorian one (VFL).

However, perhaps the Brisbane Lions could still look at reciprocal membership rights with one of the currently existing Fitzroy entities. The Fitzroy Redz, for instance, have a membership package. It's still also possible to purchase membership for the Fitzroy Football Club, the Fitzroy Football Club Social Club, as well as the Fitzroy Foundation - all of whom play a variety of roles in sponsoring different local teams, as well as hosting social events (such as the famous "Annual Fitzroy Foundation Dinner").

It'd be nice if the Brisbane Lions could become further involved in this side of Fitzroy/Lions things in Victoria. It would be a way of completing the family!

 

[FunkyBlue]

Luke Power’s father isn’t a member of the club his son plays for?? Wow………

But anyway, I’ve read through the above posts, and please forgive me if I haven’t exactly hit the nail on the head with my simplifying things, but here goes……

The Fitzroy community would like,

a) More media coverage
b) More games played in Melbourne
c) More memorabilia to be displayed at the Manningham
d) The Brisbane Lions to, on occasion, wear the Fitzroy jumper while playing in Melbourne
e) The letters “FFC” (and “BB” if we like) to appear on the Lions’ jumper.
f) The name “Fitzroy” to be used along side the name “Brisbane” more often.
g) The Brisbane Lions to contribute more in the way of sponsorship towards local teams in Victoria.


Please add to this list if you feel I’ve left anything out.

A few questions to the people in the know….

Do the Brisbane Lions lay claim to, or receive any money from profits made by the Fitzroy Football Club?
How much financial backing (roughly) would be involved for the FFC to field a team in the VFL?

Roylion, when you say you’d like to hear the name “Fitzroy” to be used more often beside the name “Brisbane”, would that be instead of the name “Lions” or in conjunction with?

I hope I haven’t offended anyone in my attempt to summarize……

 

[Mobbs]

Re the dosh required to field a VFL team : It would probably be prohibitive, hence AFL clubs in general were more intent on sorting out existing VFL clubs for partnerships.

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Hallowed be thy Roy

 

[Roylion]

I've never stated that I'D like to hear the name “Fitzroy” to be used more often beside the name “Brisbane”.

What I did say that this was the feeling of many Fitzroy people. Personally I am quite happy with the 'Brisbane Lions'. If I wasn't I wouldn't be a member. The same people feel that as the club is based in Brisbane, that the use of the name Brisbane-Fitzroy Lions, especially in Melbourne would be appropriate. I should add that I personally am not necessarily in favor of this.

 

[Olmy]

Originally posted by FunkyBlue:
Do the Brisbane Lions lay claim to, or receive any money from profits made by the Fitzroy Football Club?

FunkyBlue - Brisbane don't lay claim to the profits of the FFC as far as I know. At best, the profits that the club would make each year would most likely be only a 5 figure sum (and a relatively low one at that).

 

[Olmy]

FunkyBlue - as you have seen for yourself, the issue you've raised isn't something that has a simple answer. Really, we can only speak for ourselves. However . . .

I personally believe that there has been enough show of support for the idea of a "BB-FFC" (or similar) logo to be included on the back of the Lions jumper. From all indications, such a move would increase the club's appeal to the Fitzroy market, and logically, shouldn't have a detrimental effect to QLD based supporters (especially if the 'BB' is included with the 'FFC').

One thing that I personally would also like to see, is greater recognition that Fitzroy does/has actually play(ed) a part in the Brisbane Lions. A lot of this is down to the wider media, and in this regard, I don't know what the Brisbane Lions can do to control this.

One suggestion could be to have more Fitzroy orientated promotions. Now before everyone gets upset, I'll explain what I mean by this.

For instance, perhaps once every year the club could compete for a mid-season trophy against another Victorian club. The trophy could be named after a player who played for Fitzroy.

Considering that Fitzroy champion Bernie Quinlan played for both Fitzroy and the Bulldogs, you'd think that both clubs would agree to having the name on the trophy. Similarly, you could also put up a case for including Brad Hardie's name too if you wanted - he played for the Bulldogs as well as the Bears!

In this regard, all three clubs are given a fair go (ie: Hardie won the Brownlow with the Bulldogs, and was a leading goal kicker with the Bears, while Quinlan was a champion and Brownlow medalist with the Roys, whilst also being a 'favourite son' with the Bulldogs - well, they said that last year at least when they used him in the presentation for their first game at Colonial!).

So . . . having a trophy entitled something like "Quinlan-Hardie Trophy", which is competed for every season in Melbourne, might be a way of PUBLICALLY promoting the club as one which values the input of Fitzroy in its creation.

Personally, I believe this would have a big affect on the way that the media currently perceive the merger (ie: most of the media refer to 'unfairness' or other negative aspects).

IMO, such a move by the club, would be a way of publically moving against the media negativity, and giving willing Fitzroy supporters a reason to at least take notice of what the club has to offer.

Anyway, that's just one idea of how the club could help to combat the 'wider' or more public perception that the Brisbane Lions don't incorporate Fitzroy.

 

[lioness]

Originally posted by FunkyBlue:

The Fitzroy community would like,

a) More media coverage
b) More games played in Melbourne
c) More memorabilia to be displayed at the Manningham
d) The Brisbane Lions to, on occasion, wear the Fitzroy jumper while playing in Melbourne
e) The letters “FFC” (and “BB” if we like) to appear on the Lions’ jumper.
f) The name “Fitzroy” to be used along side the name “Brisbane” more often.
g) The Brisbane Lions to contribute more in the way of sponsorship towards local teams in Victoria.

OK, I just wanted to respond to these.

a) More media coverage yes, for the Brisbane Lions.
b) ABSOLUTELY more games played in Melbourne, this is not the fault of the club however, it's more an AFL thing.
c) Not one I worry about too much
d&e) I don't want the Brisbane Lions to wear the Fitzroy jumper for Melb matches, I think that is asking too much, also I don't think it's appropriate. And I don't see the need for the letters FFC or BB to be on the back of the jumpers.
f) I wouldn't want the team to be called or referred to as the Brisbane-Fitzroy Lions, Brisbane Lions works for me.

g) I would like to see the Brisbane Lions contribute more to a local Victorian team, especially one with Fitzroy links. I think it would help matters (as far as membership and stuff goes) if they did, but having said that, I would only support such a move if the club could comfortably afford to do so.

There's my two cents.

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*the one and only lioness*

 

[Olmy]

FunkyBlue - it's also worth pointing out that while I don't support continued use of the Fitzroy jumper by the Brisbane Lions, what I am referring to is the use of it on special occasions etc.

Cheers!