Mr MacPhisto
July 11th, 2004, 11:22 AM
After announcing plans to upgrade their home ground to 8000 seat capacity earlier in the year the QLD Lions Soccer Club have struck a deal to play at Suncorp should they get the nod ahead of the Strikers in the new NSL.
I was innitially amused by this, as Suncorp is way too big a venue for QLD soccer. Even at the height of their premiership winning popularity (and after drawing 40,000 to a final at Suncorp) the Brisbane Strikers could still only pull crowds of 7000 to round games at the stadium. They moved to the 20,000 seat Ballymore, crowds continued to fall and now they are back at Perry Park, pulling crowds of around 3000 tops to a ground with stands that look more like a giant tin bus shelter.
I quickly realised the Lions were showing great foresight. Not only do they have high profile backers (legendary Lord mayor Clem Jones and former Broncos powerbroker John Ribot) but now they are signed up with what many regard to be one of the finest, and most intimate stadiums in the world.
The Lions have admitted that they will have trouble drawing crowds of 10,000 in their early seasons (their long term goal is crowds of up to 30,000), but their generous agreement with Suncorp Management means that even when only 7 or 8000 come through the gates, the Lions will remain in the black financially.
Last tuesday I had the opportunity to stroll down the players tunnel onto the Lang Park turf and as far as I'm concerned, atmosphere won't be a problem.
The Brisbane Broncos restrict access to the top (third) tier until crowds swell to around 30,000 so I'm guessing the lions can do the same - keeping the crowd in the lowest tier, close to the action (believe me, every seat down there is a good seat, your that close to the field), and allowing access to the second tier on one side of the ground if crowds start to pick up.
I had expected the Strikers and Lions to submit proposals to play out of Ballymore, but it looks like the Lions have stollen yet another march on the incumbents.
Interest in a fresh new national competition should avoid a new franchise like the Lions being embarrased by playing at a 52,500 seat stadium in front of 5000 people.
I was innitially amused by this, as Suncorp is way too big a venue for QLD soccer. Even at the height of their premiership winning popularity (and after drawing 40,000 to a final at Suncorp) the Brisbane Strikers could still only pull crowds of 7000 to round games at the stadium. They moved to the 20,000 seat Ballymore, crowds continued to fall and now they are back at Perry Park, pulling crowds of around 3000 tops to a ground with stands that look more like a giant tin bus shelter.
I quickly realised the Lions were showing great foresight. Not only do they have high profile backers (legendary Lord mayor Clem Jones and former Broncos powerbroker John Ribot) but now they are signed up with what many regard to be one of the finest, and most intimate stadiums in the world.
The Lions have admitted that they will have trouble drawing crowds of 10,000 in their early seasons (their long term goal is crowds of up to 30,000), but their generous agreement with Suncorp Management means that even when only 7 or 8000 come through the gates, the Lions will remain in the black financially.
Last tuesday I had the opportunity to stroll down the players tunnel onto the Lang Park turf and as far as I'm concerned, atmosphere won't be a problem.
The Brisbane Broncos restrict access to the top (third) tier until crowds swell to around 30,000 so I'm guessing the lions can do the same - keeping the crowd in the lowest tier, close to the action (believe me, every seat down there is a good seat, your that close to the field), and allowing access to the second tier on one side of the ground if crowds start to pick up.
I had expected the Strikers and Lions to submit proposals to play out of Ballymore, but it looks like the Lions have stollen yet another march on the incumbents.
Interest in a fresh new national competition should avoid a new franchise like the Lions being embarrased by playing at a 52,500 seat stadium in front of 5000 people.