REDS TO BRING BACK LIONS

The Fitzroy Football Club is set to reborn under the guidance of a bold plan by Fitzroy Reds President Craig Little. He was prepared to put his Presidency on the line for the rebranding of the club but when he took it to the Reds commitee, the response was positive.
“It has to happen,” Little said. “If it doesn’t, I’m not going to continue banging my head against the wall trying to run the club.”
On July 4, 1996, football suffered a great loss when the club merged with the Brisbane Bears to become the Brisbane Lions. More than a decade later, Fitzroy Reds President Craig Little said his club was wasting the legacy of the Fitzroy name, which should be used to lift and broaden club support.
The Fitzroy Football Club still has about 1200 paid up members, which mainly fundraises for the Reds. Little’s plan is to have the Fitzroy Reds Seniors, Reserves and Under 19s rebranded as the Fitzroy Football Club, while the Club XVIII side would still play under the “Reds” banner. The heritage maroon jumper would be introduced, and the club would become more community based, fund raising for charity and hosting functions at the Brunswick St Oval. Bernie Quinlan has thrown his support behind it. “We’ve also been working closely with the Brisbane Lions who have thrown their support  behind it and key figures from the Lions will be part of the launch of the rebranded club.”
The Fitzroy Lions will be recognised in the community football weekend and the VAFA rivalry round in round 5. Two old foes whose names now cease to exist in VFL/AFL circles in South Melbourne and Fitzroy will do battle. They will be competing in heritage jumpers for the day with a trophy being put together for the event and hopefully have Bob Skilton and Kevin Murray to present it. Craig Little also announced that the club has signed two sponsors in Hocking Stuart and De Bortoli wines as a result of an article appearing in the Melbourne Times.