Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham retires with precious memories

The former Brisbane Broncos player who stepped up to rescue the famous Artie Beetson statue has sensationally been unmasked by the outgoing boss of Suncorp Stadium.

Alan Graham has been at the helm at Suncorp Stadium since 2002. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham will retire next month, taking with him precious memories from Wally Lewis to Luke Combs and an Arthur Beetson story that tops the lot.

Graham, immensely respected throughout the sporting world for his sincerity and professionalism, has been Suncorp general manager since 2002, barring a two-year gap from 2007 when he managed the basketball venue at the Beijing Olympics for his employers, Legends ASM Global.

The honour roll of 800 Suncorp events in his time includes more than 220 Broncos games, 27 State of Origins, Magic Round, a Jeff Horn fight against Manny Pacquiao plus concerts by the likes of Robbie Williams, Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Queen and Justin Bieber.

They playing field at Suncorp Stadium during the 2011 Brisbane floods. Picture: AAP Image/Miles Godfrey

But the true flavour of his story is how he and his staff shrewdly navigated heavy-duty, highwire paths through some incredibly challenging setbacks like the 2010-11 Queensland floods.

“I remember a great friend of mine, Dick “Tosser’’ Turner used to say “it’s not the trouble you get in to, it is how you get out of it that counts,’’ Graham said.

“During the floods there were boats going up Castlemaine St and we lost everything – the main switchboard, the ticketing system, the data distribution and everything you need to run a game – yet we were only out for a month and lost two events.

“I remember the day we returned there was this massive line of generators all the way up Castlemaine St and they were rocking and billowing black smoke like you would not believe but we got there.’’

Alan Graham at the Cauldron. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Just like earlier this season when Suncorp curators pulled off a minor miracle by returfing the stadium the week of Magic Round, the Graham regime will be remembered for somehow always finding a way through (literally) troubled waters.

Like when a statue of Origin godfather Beetson had been commissioned but the sculptor was having trouble getting the right shape of Beetson’s legs.

“We wanted to have something which represented Artie’s legs from his playing days and we used Ben Teo’s legs as a model. I have still have Ben’s manager chasing me for rights!’’ Graham joked.

Ben Teo had the legs for the job. Picture: Peter Wallis

Another time Graham and his staff grabbed shovels to help ground staff clear an ice covered ground after a hail storm and he has had to preside over nights when an entire stadium crowd was rushed under cover due to a looming storm.

For all the interest Artie’s statue Graham says the Wally Lewis statue remains unchallenged as the biggest drawcard.

Recreating Arthur Beetson’s legs for a statue proved to be an unexpected hurdle for Graham. Picture: Geoff McLachlan

“It is the most popular statue and Wally is the most popular footballer I have ever seen. I spend a bit of time with him and he cannot walk five metres without being stopped.’’

When asked what was the most in-demand ticket for a Suncorp event in his time, Graham, a strong supporter of the stadium’s annual Christmas charity lunch, has a surprising answer.

“When we announced (Country singer) Luke Combs I had to put a voicemail on my phone saying we are experiencing an unusually high number of calls, can you please send an email to this address?’’

ASM Global Chairman Harvey Lister said Graham was “one of a kind and his departure will be felt across the industry”.

Originally published as Suncorp Stadium boss Alan Graham retires with precious memories