There’s an old saying; start as you mean to go on, which is why the word ‘United’ carries such significance within the name of Brisbane’s newest football club, Brisbane United Football Club.
The first shoots of BUFC began with the coming together of like-minded football people working collaboratively to elevate the game of football in our beautiful river city.
With the prize of a National Second Tier competition looming large for the 2024 season, what better approach could there be than to present to Football Australia a truly united front to bid for a Second Division licence for Australia’s fastest growing capital city?
Brisbane’s population, demographics, diversity and participation rate, make it fertile ground for a new football club to unite the game and truly represent the city. It will be a club built by football, for football.
“Togetherness will always be a strength and the Brisbane United model is one that can continue to expand over time, embracing more participating clubs to join our network in true football pyramid style.
Brisbane United’s two founding clubs – Brisbane Strikers FC and Wynnum Wolves FC – both hold their own, undeniably proud history in the local game.
Who could forget Strikers’ euphoric National Soccer League championship triumph in 1997, in front of more than 40,000 fans at the old Lang Park?
And just across the river, Wynnum Wolves FC is one of only a handful of century-old clubs in Queensland that can also lay claim to having a Socceroo original in its ranks.
On top of this rich tradition, these clubs also boast two of the best fit-for-purpose football facilities in the state. Perry Park in Bowen Hills – known as the home of football in Brisbane – and Wynnum’s Carmichael Park, offering four full-sized pitches under lights, plus a dedicated fifth field for under 12s. Work on these two facilities is ongoing to ensure both parks are showpieces for Brisbane and for football.
In 1991, Brisbane United was originally formed as a unifying entity to represent the city on the national stage.
Those principles of unity and bringing the football community together are arguably more important now than ever.
While Strikers and Wynnum have led the way in this united approach towards establishing a new Second Tier football team for the city of Brisbane, we know other clubs are keen to join our ‘united’ model and help to establish a genuine pathway for aspiring young players in Brisbane.
Already, Virginia United FC have joined us as a tier one club and there’ll be more to come in the months ahead.
Togetherness will always be a strength and the Brisbane United model is one that can continue to expand over time, embracing more participating clubs to join our network in true football pyramid style.
Regardless of who is in the fold, United will exist as a club the whole football community can connect to and support, without detracting from their support of their local club.
Brisbane United will meet the changing football environment head-on. Our collaborative model is designed to maximise the collective power of clubs working together in the best interests of the game, and the best interests of those who play or pay for it.
By starting well in advance, preparing diligently, thoroughly and forming great partnerships, we’re showing we have an action plan for today, not just dreams about a tomorrow that never comes.
Rabieh Krayem