Robbie Fowler arrival lifts Roar to A-League’s most supported club

According to a recent poll, Brisbane Roar are now the most supported team in the A-League, and they can credit the arrival of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler for much of the fan growth.

Robbie Fowler has helped the growth of Brisbane Roar. Picture: Chris Hyde

• BATTLE: Roar striker ready to tackle old foe

• COMMENT: Football warns NBL not to get cocky

The coaching appointment of Robbie Fowler has helped turn Brisbane Roar into the A-League’s most supported club, according to a Roy Morgan poll.

Results of a national poll conducted by the renowned market research company during a 12-month period from October 2018 to September this year revealed the Roar top the A-League in terms of support with 523,000 fans.

That’s a 22.5 per cent increase from Brisbane’s previous 12-month total of 427,000 supporters.

The Roar jumped from third to first in the rankings, overtaking Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.

Stream every game of The 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Robbie Fowler has helped the growth of Brisbane Roar. Picture: Chris Hyde

The Victory fell from first to third, dropping 28.5 per cent to 413,000 supporters, from 578,000.

Sydney remained in second spot, but lost 20.7 per cent in falling from 560,000 fans to 444,000.

Following Brisbane’s disastrous 2018-19 season, Liverpool great Fowler was appointed Roar coach in April and is six weeks into his maiden A-League campaign.

“(A) sure-fire method to boost coverage and supporter interest is a high-profile recruit,” Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.

“The Brisbane Roar’s decision to hire Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler as their new manager has paid immediate dividends, with support for the Roar soaring to levels not seen since their last championship (in 2014).

Brisbane are now the most supported team in the A-League. Picture: Bradley Kanaris

“On-field success also pays off, of course. So it’s no surprise to see the three most successful clubs on-field (in terms of A-League championships won) also topping the Roy Morgan A-League supporter ladder.”

The poll results come as the Roar bask in the decision to move last Sunday’s home match against Melbourne City from Suncorp Stadium to boutique Redcliffe venue, Dolphin Stadium.

It was one of three A-League games the club will play at the 10,000-capacity Redcliffe ground this season

Roar CEO David Pourre was pleased with the crowd of 9387 that watched Brisbane fight back from 3-1 down to beat Melbourne City 4-3 to record their first win of the season.

“Redcliffe was a great success,” Pourre said.

Melbourne Victory have slipped to third on the list of most supported clubs. Picture: Jeremy Ng

“Making a decision to take three games to the northern part of Brisbane as such, it really encapsulates a lot of the member base up there, and attracts those from Sunshine Coast and north of that as well.

“We’ve committed to review how the whole situation looks throughout the year because it’s a change from where we’ve normally played our home games

“We will review every element of what Dolphin Stadium provided, how fans come into the stadium to make that more expedient, we’ll look at if there are seats that might be available and whether those who don’t have the appropriate memberships can use them ... but overall it was a very good experience for its first-up trial.”