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Merger: The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996
In 1996, the 113-year-old Fitzroy Football Club played its final game in the AFL. Financial pressures brought about by the steady professionalisation of the AFL respected neither the worth of the club’s history nor the passion of its fans. Out of time and money, on 4 July 1996 Fitzroy was forced into a merger with the Brisbane Bears - creating the League’s first, and thus far only, merged club.
MERGER tells the story of that fateful year, from boardroom drama and intrigue to the wind and the mud of the Whitten Oval, capturing the profound tragedy of Fitzroy’s doomed plight.
‘The demise of Fitzroy is a deep wound rather than a scar. A tear in the fabric of the game that will never truly repair.’
From the Foreword by Gerard Whateley
MERGER tells the story of that fateful year, from boardroom drama and intrigue to the wind and the mud of the Whitten Oval, capturing the profound tragedy of Fitzroy’s doomed plight.
‘The demise of Fitzroy is a deep wound rather than a scar. A tear in the fabric of the game that will never truly repair.’
From the Foreword by Gerard Whateley
- GenresNonfiction
390 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2023
This took me ages to read, but that had nothing to do with quality. It had to do with my love of football being briefly crushed at the end of the last season (can’t recall why).
What initially struck me with Merger is the very dramatic sub-header: “The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996.” The overzealous description of a simple merger made me laugh, and initially mock the book as “ using the same gravitas reserved for books about the sinking of the Titanic.”
It’s also what made me want to read it.
About halfway through I began to eat my mocking words. The great depth and detail of the events of ‘96 that William Westerman goes into shows what was lost - for the players, the club employees, the league as a whole, and most of all the fans.
As a massive footy fan, this gave insight into what it might be like if that had happened to my own club. It would be awful.
If you have any interest in football history this book gives great insight, especially for those, like me, who don’t even remember Fitzroy as they were.
Once I’d finished reading, I was convinced that what happened in 1996 was indeed a tragedy. Which I understand is very dramatic, but Merger will convince you too.
4/5
What initially struck me with Merger is the very dramatic sub-header: “The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996.” The overzealous description of a simple merger made me laugh, and initially mock the book as “ using the same gravitas reserved for books about the sinking of the Titanic.”
It’s also what made me want to read it.
About halfway through I began to eat my mocking words. The great depth and detail of the events of ‘96 that William Westerman goes into shows what was lost - for the players, the club employees, the league as a whole, and most of all the fans.
As a massive footy fan, this gave insight into what it might be like if that had happened to my own club. It would be awful.
If you have any interest in football history this book gives great insight, especially for those, like me, who don’t even remember Fitzroy as they were.
Once I’d finished reading, I was convinced that what happened in 1996 was indeed a tragedy. Which I understand is very dramatic, but Merger will convince you too.
4/5
December 2, 2021
As a passionate Fitzroy supporter who went on to follow the Brisbane Lions in 1997 this book brought back memories of a sad time. It was thoughtfully written with a real feel and connection to the club
November 9, 2022
True Royboys O N L Y
July 6, 2024
Have read a few books about the plight of the Roys, but certainly this has been the pick of them. Meticulously compiled and researched, it really does give the reader a perspective from every angle. It achieves a nice balance between the boardroom and legal games, and those being played on grass.
The writing captures the emotions of the era beautifully. Back when top level football had a little more soul and character, not the corporate and shiny professional juggernaut it now resembles. Many see the death of the Roys as the acceleration of this transition.
As the for the series of events themselves, blood stains remain on the hands of many.
The writing captures the emotions of the era beautifully. Back when top level football had a little more soul and character, not the corporate and shiny professional juggernaut it now resembles. Many see the death of the Roys as the acceleration of this transition.
As the for the series of events themselves, blood stains remain on the hands of many.
March 30, 2025
A bit forensic but interesting.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews