Queensland Roar FC

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Queensland Roar FC

Full name

Queensland Roar
FC Pty Ltd

Nickname(s)

The Roar

Founded

2005 as QLD Roar, 1957 as Hollandia

Ground

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Capacity

52,500

Chairman

John Ribot

Manager

Frank Farina

League

A-League

A-League 2006-07

5th





Home colours





Away colours

Queensland Roar FC is an Australian football (soccer) club from Brisbane, Australia competing in the A-League competition, playing their home games at Suncorp Stadium.

1 History
- 1.1 2005-06 season
- 1.2 2006-07 season
2 Colours and badge
3 Stadium
4 Supporters
5 Current squad
6 Noted players
7 Managers
8 Records
9 2005/06 Season
10 Team
11 Club
12 References
13 External links
- 13.1 Official
- 13.2 Unofficial

[edit] History

The Queensland Roar are a successor to Brisbane Hollandia (later Brisbane Lions) as a representative of the Queensland Lions Soccer Club in Australian national competitions. Brisbane Hollandia/Lions competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until 1988. An influx of funds to the Club came from the sale of the rights to use the name "Lions" to AFL franchise Brisbane Lions in the mid-1990s.^{[citation needed]}

At the time of conception of the A-League, teams from several capital cities were preferred to form the foundation clubs. By June 2004 two of the twenty submissions for joining the league were sought by partnerships formed in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. ^[1]. On 1 November 2004 the group headed by Queensland Lions Soccer Club^[2] were chosen as operators of the Brisbane team (ahead of the established Brisbane Strikers who had played in the NSL).

On 2 March 2005 the Roar was officially launched as a club. ^[3] The board consists of chairman John Ribot, a former CEO of both National Rugby League clubs Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, deputy chairman Gary Wilkins, former Queensland and Australia player, and CEO Lawrence Oudendyk (who is also Queensland Lions CEO).

[edit] 2005-06 season

The team in the 2005-06 season spent much of the season in the bottom half of the table after a poor beginning to the season. With home attendance the second highest in the opening season (average 14,860 a game), the Roar had the second highest attendance to a single game against New Zealand Knights in its first game (23,142). The team was the first to have 100,000 spectators pass through the gates and overall had the second highest attendance for the season (148,609) despite failing to qualify for the finals. The Roar ended up with seven wins, seven draws and seven losses in its first season, finishing a disappointing sixth.

[edit] 2006-07 season

At the beginning of the the A-League 2006-07 season the Roar enjoyed a undefeated start to their opening 5 games and took 11 points and second place on the ladder. However, in their next 7 games the Roar only managed 5 points - including just one victory. This slump had seen them fall to 4th on the ladder as of Round 12, on equal points with Perth Glory.

Queensland Roar compete with the Newcastle Jets during the 2006/07 season

It was in this string of disappointing performances that saw manager, Miron Bleiberg tender his resignation after a sloppy 1-1 draw at home to the Central Coast Mariners. This was rejected by the club's board, who showed faith in Bleiberg. However, following the draw to the Mariners, the Roar suffered two straight losses which included a shocking 1-0 own goal loss to bottom-placed New Zealand and a loss at home to Adelaide. Following this game, it was announced that Bleiberg would step down as manager of the club. It was later revealed that he had tendered his resignation before the Adelaide game, indicating he would step down in the event the Roar did not return a "positive result".

The search for an appropriate successor began immediately with the club announcing they had received 25 applicants, both home and abroad, for the top job at the Roar within 24 hours of Bleiberg's resignation. Former Australian player and Socceroos coach Frank Farina was named as Bleiberg's successor at a press conference on 16 November 2006.

Despite a late season surge of positive results, including a last minute victory over premiers Melbourne Victory, the Roar found itself once again in an unenviable situation prior to their final round game against Sydney FC, needing a win to reach the finals series. The match was played in front of over 32,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium and included a goal to Sydney by former Roar player Alex Brosque. The final score was a 1-1 draw, with Sydney sealing 4th position in the semi-finals on goal difference.

Average crowds attendances were up 11% from the previous season (average increased from 14,785 to 16,465).

[edit] Colours and badge

The Roar play in a predominantly orange home strip. Although Queensland sporting teams traditionally play in maroon this strip is in keeping with the colour used by the team in its earlier incarnations as Hollandia, Brisbane Lions and Queensland Lions. The strip also clearly acknowledges the largely, but not exclusively, Dutch migrant community who founded the club.

On 31 July 2005 the club announced that it had ordered a strip that was half orange and half maroon, but that the current colours were manufactured for prominence on television.

[edit] Stadium

Main article: Suncorp Stadium

The Roar play their home matches at the 52,000-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

As of the end of Round 15, the average home crowd for the Roar was 15,280. This is the second highest average crowd in the A-League and the fourth highest average crowd in Brisbane for 2006 (behind the Brisbane Broncos on 31,208, Brisbane Lions on 28,448 and Queensland Reds on 21,358). On 29 October 2005, Queensland Roar were the first A-League club to reach 100,000 home spectators.

On December 14, 2006 it was confirmed that the Roar were in informal talks with the Queensland Rugby Union to move their home games from Suncorp Stadium to Ballymore Stadium. It is understood that exhorbitant rental costs are behind the potential move. The Queensland public reacted negatively to this proposal, claiming Suncorp Stadium should do more to foster the game and team. Mostly because Ballymore has no transportation to the ground and isn't as well situated and "good looking" as Suncorp. ^[4]

While Ballymore, a boutique field and headquarters of the Queensland Rugby Union, proved a popular field for Brisbane Strikers supporters after 2000, the final match of season 2006/7 (v Sydney FC) held at Suncrop was attended by over 32,000, well beyond the capacity of Ballymore. With continued growth in the club's popularity and improved on-field performances, it is anticipated that the Roar supporter base could well regularly exceed the ability of Ballymore to cope. Discussions regarding the cost associated with remaining at Suncorp Stadium and the relative merit of Ballymore will continue into the early months of 2007. It is rumoured that the Roar will be based at Suncorp for at least one more season.

[edit] Supporters

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The Queensland Roar have three main supporters groups: The Orange Army (Official Supporters Club), The Roar Rejects and The Northern Element. Each group was formed to represent the diversity of fan base that exists with in the supporters:

The Orange Army (Queensland Roar Official Supporters Club Website)comprise of Roar Fans from all over the stadium, State and Country, and aim to help and assist the wider fan base, not just those who stand in the Northern terrace. The Orange Army tries to adopt an Australian outlook to supporting the Qld Roar, taking ideas from all the major leagues throughout the world and adopting those aspects which the Club feels are relevant to Australian sporting culture. The Club tries to take the best aspects of club support, without the baggage seen throughout Europe and South America. The Orange Army were instrumental in the foundation of The Den. At meetings with Suncorp Stadium and the Queensland Roar, the Orange Army were able to broker a more relaxed environment for those supporters wanting to stand, sing and chant. They also conduct a wide range of social activities in the off season. They also plan away trips during the season and pre season. The heavily in demand Den scarves are only available through the Roar Fans Website. Match Day tickets are also available via the website, for Bay 332 and all other areas of the stadium. Membership to the Supporters Club is free. Currently the club have a solid relationship with the other A-League supporters groups, notably The Cove (Sydney FC), The Marinators (Central Coast Mariners FC) and The Shed (Perth Glory FC). The Orange Army name was adopted at the end of the 06/07 season by the club.

The North Stand Rejects (North Stand Rejects Homepage)are the club's largest and most vocal supporters group. They organise member's tickets, offer shirts and other independent merchandise and aim to support the club by being both loud and colourful. Originated from local players who wanted to support the new Queensland based team, but disliked both the club's backers Queensland Lions (due to local league rivalries) and the team's 'Roar' moniker. Hence 'Roar-Rejects' were created. The Group was named "Roar-Rejects" until the end of season 06/07 where as part of a restructure of the group were renamed The North Stand Rejects. Now the Rejects gain members from all aspects of Queensland Roar support who appreciate group discounted beer prices at the pregame pub, and the ability to purchase tickets away from families in the more rawkus bay 332 of Suncorp Stadium. The Rejects and the officials were responsible for the relaxed security which now allows Brisbane Football fans to sing, drink beer and stand in their own section.

The Northern Element add some casual culture to Lang Park. Created in 2005 and influenced by the British and Italian football scenes, these lads represent those fans who have not bought into the commercialisation of the modern game. Instead the Northern Element stick closer to traditions of football clubs in the community. Their fashion and chants are influenced by the terrace and clubbing scene of the late 1980's and 1990's. They prefer to wear designer labels instead of club colours, and don't buy into to the global marketing and merchandise of the game. Recognisable, both home and away by their distinctive banner^[5], the Northern Element aim to create a good atmosphere at the football, drink plenty of beer and cheer on the team no matter how bad they are playing. The NE already have ties with Melbourne's Blue and White Brigade (The BWB).

The Officials and the Roar-Rejects are positioned in the Northern stand (Bay 332) of the Suncorp Stadium, in an area known to fans as 'The Den'. The Northern Element moved to the Southern End of Suncorp Stadium during the second half of the 2006-07 season. The Northern Element moved back into the Den after a stay of three weeks in the Southern End as they were ejected by the police. They went to the Den for the last home game of the season but will be back in their own spot in time for the next league match.

A small but growing group of fans from all groups make up the traveling Den.

Supporters of Roar games are keen to vocalise their support and look to these groups to lead in the chants and singing that generate atmosphere which is distinct from any other Queensland football crowd.

[edit] Current squad

No.	Position	Player
2	MF	Andrew Packer
5	DF	Josh McCloughan
6	DF	Stuart McLaren
7	MF	Marcus Wedau
8	MF	Massimo Murdocca
9	FW	Simon Lynch
10	FW	Ante Milicic
11	FW	Reinaldo da Costa
13	MF	Spase Dilevski
14	DF	Ben Griffin

No.	Position	Player
15	MF	Matt McKay
16	MF	Hyuk-Su Seo
19	DF	Sasa Ognenovski
20	GK	Liam Reddy
	MF	Danny Tiatto
	FW	Tahj Minniecon
	MF	Chris Grossman
	FW	Robbie Kruse

[edit] Noted players

It has been suggested that List of Queensland Roar F.C. players be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Dario Vidosic, nicknamed "Super Dario" by the Queensland media is currently involved in speculation that he will transfer to a German Bundesliga team in the near future. Highly-placed 1.FC Nurnberg gave Dario a two-week trial in March and havge signed one of Australia's brightest young stars. Nurnberg will be the perfect club currently for Dario, with 4 other Australian stars at the club, including Dario's National Under-20 teammate Matthew Spiranovic and Australia International stars striker Josh Kennedy and defender Michael Beauchamp. However many experienced players and Roar FC staff have encouraged Vidosic to honour the remainder of his contract, increasing his experience. The club has invested more resources into Vidosic than any young player. A move to Europe would see him follow in the path of David Williams, a young Queenslander who played just two games with the club before a move to Danish powerhouse Brondby IF.

Craig Moore has expressed interest in joining the club upon the expiring of his Newcastle United contract in the English Premier League.

Andrew Packer currently plays for the Roar, signing on before the 06/07 season after winning the Championship with Sydney FC in the inaugural A-League season. Raised in Queensland, he is the perfect player to help Roar make the finals series with penetrating pace and a good football brain.

Failure to qualify for the 2006-2007 finals series resulted in the release from contract of defenders Chad Gibson (the club's first captain and A-league pin-up boy) and Swiss import Remo Buess. Both left on good terms with the club during January 2007 stating that the team had to be altered to make it more competitive in the future.

In further evidence of "spring cleaning" in preparation for Season 3, Chinese signing Yuning Zhang was released from an inauspicious contract with the Roar. Billed as the Chinese David Beckham, Zhang underwhelmed Roar supporters and will return to China in search of a club within the local scene there.

Former Socceroo Danny Tiatto has signed a two year contract with Queensland Roar, becoming Frank Farina's first 07/08 signing . Tiatto, who has played in England for the past 11 years for Leicester City and Manchester City, agreed to terms with Queensland after Melbourne declined to sign him.

Farina has highlighted his favoritism toward young Queensland and indeed Australian players with the signings for the 2007-08 season of highly-rated Queenslanders and Youth International strikers Robbie Kruse and Tahj Minniecon. Also, the contracts of highly-rated 20-year-olds Chris Grossman and Ben Griffin have been renewed, and the probable signing of 1-game Roar 'keeper Tando Velaphi and star young midfielder-come-striker Dario Vidosic have all made the Roar a team of bright, young talent.