Brisbane Roar CEO Peter McLennan has backed the club’s strong supporter base to welcome the new season at Skilled Park after it was revealed Brisbane will face Gold Coast United on the opening day of the 2010-11 Hyundai A-league season.
Despite starting away from home, Roar fans will have 15 opportunities to see the new look squad play at Suncorp Stadium following the release of the 2010-11 draw earlier today.
McLennan said he was happy with the draw and acknowledged the hard-work Football Federation Australia devoted to designing the new look 11 team competition.
“We are positively happy with the draw,” McLennan said.
“We have 15 games at home which offer a great opportunity for our fan base to come out and support the team.”
For the first game at home, the Roar will face the might of reigning premiers Sydney FC on August 21, before twice facing Queensland rivals Gold Coast United, the Robbie Fowler led Perth Glory, new club Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium.
However, it is the first game of the season against Gold Coast United which McLennan is tipping to be an all mighty blockbuster.
The Roar hosted their southern neighbours in front of nearly 20,000 fans in the opening fixture last season but will now face Miron Bleiberg-s men on the glitter strip first up.
But McLennan – quick to stoke the fire between the clubs – said he was delighted to be lending a helping hand to Gold Coast United on August 8.
“We would have liked to have the game at home, but on the flipside we are equally happy to be able to help our southern friends start their season with a big crowd,” he said.
“We are very confident our Roar fans will travel in big numbers and will hopefully outweigh the Gold Coast supporters.”
McLennan was also confident the reverse fixtures on Boxing Day and February 12 – the final game of the season – would excite home fans to pack Suncorp Stadium.
“Whether it is Skilled Park or Suncorp Stadium, I think it-s always a great rivalry between the clubs,” McLennan said.
“We have never been at home on Boxing Day but it does excite us … it is something different for our fans, have their roast dinner and come out and support the boys.”
