Brothers Diehards are coming

A new name, a revamped home ground and an enhanced playing list will ensure Brothers Valleys enter the 2005 Queensland Cup season in a strong position to be competitive.

The King of Australian and Queensland rugby league, Wally Lewis, launched the new club name in a function at the Optus Boardroom in the City on Thursday night which also outlined the club?s plans for its future.

Following the end of the 2004 season, Brothers Valleys will become known as Brothers Diehards. The club has been known as Brothers Valleys Blues since it made its return to Brisbane football in 2002, including for its inaugural year in the Queensland Cup competition this season.

Club President, Pat Maguire said traditional supporters of the former ?Brothers? and ?Valleys? clubs would continue to feel a close association with the new name.

?The club will be either referred to by supporters as ?Brothers? or ?Diehards? or both and that will ensure all supporters feel comfortable in our name and ultimately our future,? Mr Maguire said.

?Valleys were always known as the Diehards and it is a name synonymous in Queensland rugby league with courage, determination and a refusal to give in.

?We are confident of building this Diehard spirit into the culture and playing results of our club.

?Brothers also is a great name and tradition in rugby league circles and it will continue to keep its special place in the hearts and minds of our supporters and followers of Queensland football,? Mr Maguire said.

Former Valleys player and board member of the Club, Shane Kelly said the term Diehards would prove an ideal marketing tool for the club as it pressed ahead with its new strategic business planning processes.

?While a football club is much more than its name, there simply is no better nickname for a rugby league team than the Diehards and I think you will start to see it pay dividends for us on and off the field from next season onwards,? Mr Kelly said.

The club also launched a new VIP membership and outlined plans to further increase its supporter and sponsorship base at the function.

The club will also have a new logo and a new jersey for season 2005 which will be released later this year.