What's happening?

[muckraker]

I've noticed that fewer posts are being made in this forum. I guess that's understandable, but I'd like to see occasional news about what's happening with FFC, apart from the Amateur D grade side.
Is there any movement towards seeing Fitzroy again at VFL/AFL level?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Fitzroy is alive and well in the AFL. It's obvious that Fremantle are just borrowing our licence, and on the completion of this season without a win, the licence will returned to bill atherton, for him to then convene a meeting of the board of directors.

I read in the Collingwood Newsletter (the Sun) that Wayne Jackson is quoted as saying, "we will never make the same mistake again with the Roys. We can at least thank that ****head Oakley for reminding us that old footballers (apart from Richard Nixon) cannot run large businesses"

Now lets's get down to winning some games again.

 

[Mobbs]

Originally posted by muckraker
Is there any movement towards seeing Fitzroy again at VFL/AFL level?

No, not at the moment ... there doesn't seem to be any point in taking that step backwards.

 

[muckraker]

Are we serious

Is this a real Fitzroy forum or a forum for the Amateur Reds playing in D or E grade (I forget which and don't really care)? I know I won't be popular with posters for saying this, but I'm only interested in knowing if the real Fitzroy will ever again play at a top level (VFL or AFL). I'll say farewell forever from this forum if the response is that we should forget about the Roys playing VFL or AFL.

 

[CDFCLad]

If I may say......if, sorry......WHEN, the Reds make it to Div 1, then any claims Fitzroy FC may have to claim stand alone VFL status would be considerably enhanced don't you think?

One step at a time

 

[Mobbs]

Nope, your view and hope is certainly welcome here. I was expressing personal opinion only, as I have trouble enjoying footy at big venues.

I'd be back at the AFL matches if Fitzroy were back in it ... shhumbody shtop me! They only ever turned up for me in the first place, so it would be important that I was there

But I think there's more chance of the AFL folding than there is of Fitzroy being back in it ...

 

[Mobbs]

Originally posted by CDFCLad
If I may say......if, sorry......WHEN, the Reds make it to Div 1, then any claims Fitzroy FC may have to claim stand alone VFL status would be considerably enhanced don't you think?

One step at a time

I would have to agree. When the time comes, though, our presence and ability won't be standing in our way, it'll be the establishment of the league. That's when numbers to the ball will be most important ... and that's why numbers to the ball are important right now.

If we can't barrack for them when they're dormant, then perhaps we forfeit the right to lob at the match when they're resurrected.

 

[killer]

Hopefully, in five or six years when Matty Lloyd has ALL of the money in football, he'll be able to buy the AFL and give in to the
FitzroyFC as a birthday present...
hows that!

 

[Mobbs]

It's only right!

 

[Mobbs]

Originally posted by muckraker
I've noticed that fewer posts are being made in this forum. I guess that's understandable, but I'd like to see occasional news about what's happening with FFC, apart from the Amateur D grade side.
Is there any movement towards seeing Fitzroy again at VFL/AFL level?

muckraker : Club Secretary Bill A sometimes posts on here as Fitzroy Football Club with updates as to what's news. I'll be seeing him at the Reds today more than likely, so I'll ask him to get a message on here giving yers the latest drum.

 

[Mobbs]

Re: Are we serious

Originally posted by muckraker
Is this a real Fitzroy forum or a forum for the Amateur Reds playing in D or E grade (I forget which and don't really care)? I know I won't be popular with posters for saying this, but I'm only interested in knowing if the real Fitzroy will ever again play at a top level (VFL or AFL). I'll say farewell forever from this forum if the response is that we should forget about the Roys playing VFL or AFL.

One thing, muckraker : if and when the Roys get back into a major level footy, it will probably be the Reds that give birth to that very team ... as from reports, that's where the FFC management are aiming ... the junior & U17 clubs are being manufactured into feeder clubs towards the Reds, for instance. That's why I'm supporting them now.

Just on a point of interest, could I ask where your aversion to the Reds actually lies?

 

[muckraker]

The future

Thanks for the comments, and I'll try to keep the faith alive. Mobbenfuhrer, I have no resentment towards the Reds, I'm just concerned that good Fitzroy people seem to believe that they are the only/best way forward. The level of football doesn't justify that faith, somewhere below most major country and suburban leagues, I imagine. Looking at alternatives, the Coburg venture was well intentioned, but failed badly. I personally believe we should be aiming for a VFL team in our own right.

 

[Mobbs]

Fair enough ... that's another facet - the actual level of football played. I'm pleasantly impressed with the Reds, definitely better than most country teams I've seen (and i LOVE country footy) ... but their opposition? Their standards seem pretty low!

 

[Levo]

Do you really think Fitzroy people are stupid as that is the way your conversation is going MR they don't think that the Reds will be eventually in the AFL they just like to follow the team and the jumper gives them a sense of belonging to a FFC representitive ientity.
As always Fitzroy people like to enjoy themselves, and more than any football supporter has ever done, you will most likely find more passion at a Reds game than at a Nth Melbourne game, because football is;
Populi Ludos Popolo
Nothing will ever replace the Fitzroy Football Club, as John Lennon said we are bigger than Jesus or nearly, maybe on an equal footing, because of all the teams out of the league where is there following, where it the passion for University Football Club no one writes into papers and say bring them back, bugga.

 

[Olmy]

Levo pretty much summed it up there. People go along to the Reds, to see the Roys jumper, colours, and name, and hear the song. There's also the social aspect (mixing with other Roys fans).

I can't see us ever getting back into the AFL (especially considering half of the club was merged with the Bears, to become the Brisbane Lions).

However, I'd love to see a stand-alone Roys side in the VFL. I think to some extent, this is an achievable goal. Unfortunately, the logistical, infrastructural, and financial requirements of such a task seem prohibitive at this stage. However, that's not to say they couldn't be addressed, I suppose . . .

Obviously, if it's going to be a VIABLE prospect - you really need to bank on a lot of supporters coming back to the fold, along with enough cash in order to see a stable and prosperous club, one which isn't at risk, or running on an oily rag (and about to $hit itself out of existence - which would most likely see the end of the FFC if it failed).

This discussion has been canvassed a number of times before, amongst Roys supporters, on a number of net-sites, and ultimately it seems to come down to a question of money (which ultimately would take care of the problems mentioned earlier). However, not only would they need enough capital to get the entire venture going, but also, they'd need enough revenue per year to continue.

I guess we can only wait and see what happens over the next few years. If the Reds are strong enough to climb the ranks, then perhaps that's the go. Perhaps the Roys somehow come across a windfall of funds. Perhaps the Brisbane Lions decide to increase their level of committment to Victoria and financially assist a Fitzroy team in the VFL. Or even better . . . perhaps the BigFooty board posters form a team of their own and turn up randomly at prominent football venues, laying down a challenge to all and any VFL/AFL teams (past and present) to take on the all-encompassing might of the ROYS!!!!

If we do have a stand alone side, apart from the "Lions", the "Reds", or the "Bears" (in order to attract disenfranchised Bears supporters), I'd like to see us called the "Maroons".

 

[Olmy]

It's also worth mentioning that the Reds standard of football is actually quite good. The team displays good disposal, a fast pace, hardness at the ball, as well a number of players who can take the odd "screamer" or two.

From my time watching local football, the Reds would rank reasonably well in regards to the standard of football being played.

Certainly, with the emphasis being placed on the Juniors, and U-16/17's, and U-19's teams, the trend looks certain to at least continue, if not improve further.

CARN THE ROYS!!!

 

[Mobbs]

Olmy, I reckon any new club under this banner should be nicknamed 'The Roys'!

 

[CDFCLad]

bring back 'the Gorillas!!'

 

[killer]

I'll second that.

 

[Olmy]

RoyboyYoGoGorillaBear-lovingLion-huntingRed-arsedMoroonManiacs

 

[muckraker]

The future

It's good to see an active discussion. Good luck to the Reds, but they're never going to capture the imagination of major league football followers. Hopefully they provide a foundation for the future.
My personal view is that FFC should seek to buy the licence for a VFL team. Bendigo Diggers might be up for grabs, or perhaps a partnership with them could be negotiated, maybe three games in Bendigo and the rest at Northcote, Brunswick St or Victoria Park. Murray Kangaroos have failed in Albury and are looking to Canberra. That's another opportunity (with reservations).
If we can get established in the VFL in our own right we can then negotiate a potential relationship with an AFL club. The likely targets include Bulldogs, Melbourne and Collingwood. I'm wary of North because I reckon they're on the verge of collapse.
I'd travel from Woop Woop to watch a Fitzroy VFL team!
The other possibility is that in decades to come the AFL will move towards a divisional structure with promotion and relegation. If that happens I hope we're part of the loop.

 

[killer]

I agree with all of the above...
with the reservation that the VFL is still evolving...
It might be better for the Roys to wait 3 or 4 years
to see what does develop.
To end up as the Calton/Carringbush B team
would make the struggles of the last
6 years pointless.
Does the VFL have such a larger profile than the Ams
at the moment anyway?

 

[killer]

And I live in woop woop

 

[Joe Mama]

Maybe you can strike a deal with Preston (I refuse to call them the Northern Bullants) in the near future, if the Reds climb the rank of the ammo's.

The ants were left high and dry by Collingwood, who pissed them of to hook up with Williamstown and have been looking for new members and sponsorship.

This can give the Bullants a lifeline they need, and give Fitzroy supporters a chance to be back in a strong league again.

And, Olmy, D3 isn't that bad, but I think that its similar to the Riddell League and Diamond Valley Division 2 ion terms of standard.

 

[Olmy]

Firstly, I'll state my bias as a Brisbane Lions supporter and member. It's also worth noting, that I'm a current Fitzroy member, and want the club to retain its own identity.

In regards to AFL allegiances, I believe that Fitzroy should not seek an arrangement with any other club besides the Brisbane Lions.

Clearly, the majority of Fitzroy supporters who still follow a team in the AFL, are supporting the Brisbane Lions. If Fitzroy wants to continue to appeal to these people, allying with another AFL entity is only likely to splinter the Fitzroy supporter base.

With the intiatives that have been put in place recently by the BL's, it's pretty clear they are serious about wanting a supporter base in Victoria, so, reasonably, they are going to expect Fitzroy to play to the same tune.

In any regard, I doubt the AFL (in their autonomous powers) would allow Fitzroy to have a union with another AFL club, as it would be seen as being a detriment to the Brisbane Lions.