As a Capetonian that moved to Joburg a few years back, I was amazed by how few Lions supporters there are up here. Plenty of Bulls, Sharks and Province fans but I got the impression that guys would sooner admit to impure thoughts about their sisters than say they supported the Lions.

The dismal record of the Lions may have something to do with this, but surely people can’t be that fickle. Then I met Brad Broskie, a living legend and proud Lions supporter. In The Bounce’s quest to find the people that make sport great, we managed to catch up with Brad and get him to answer a few questions for us.

Brad Broskie - no.1 Lions supporter.

TheBounce: Howzit Brad. Much like gingers who like tanning, you as a fully fledged passionate Lions supporter are a rarity. What was your first memory of watching the Lions, or Transvaal as it was in the earlier days, and what really endeared you to your team?

Brad: My first memory was when I was in Std 6 playing rugby for my school in an U13 rugby festival held at Parktown Boys. Apart from the matches we played we also had a training session with all the Transvaal players on the Saturday before they played Natal at Ellis Park. We were then invited to go watch them play that day as well as have a tour of Ellis Park, from that day on I have been a supporter of them.

Ellis Park - one of the worlds great rugby stadiums.

TheBounce: What is your home game match day routine?

Brad: First thing is to prep the wife that it is a “days event” and to try convince her that they might win on the day, unfortunately this is becoming more and more difficult. Then I try be at the stadium three hours before the game and park at my regular spot, (close to the gates) then the cooler box is opened with ice cold beers and the braai begins. During this time we make conversation with other supporters and take the mickey out of the visiting sides supporters. About 30 minutes before kick off we pack up and take a brisk walk to the stadium soaking up the gees. During the game I try get the crowd going with war-cries and hope they pull off a victory. After the game we go back to our parking area, maybe start the braai up again, and then head off home.

Brad and his mates on the way to the game.

TheBounce: Greatest fan moment/s to date?

Brad: Greatest moment was when the Lions won the 1993 Currie Cup after twenty one years, it was a brilliant team lead by one of SA’s best captains, Francois Pienaar.

Past captain Francois Pienaar - a large part of Transvaal's success pre-professional era.

Also loved it when they won the 1999 Currie Cup against the Sharks IN Durban!!

TheBounce: Your favourite Lions player of all time?

Brad: This is a tough one because there have been many great players. I really enjoyed the way Thinus Delport played, he was a great talent and unfortunately a loss for SA at a young age. But at the moment I would have to say Jano Vermaak, he is unbelievable and hopefully he will be even better when he returns from injury!

Thinus Delport - amazing talent during a dodgy era of S.A rugby

It was Jaque Fourie until he jumped ship, but he thinks The Stormers/WP are going to do better – good luck Boet you guys are not going to beat The Bulls.

TheBounce: A six pack says you are wrong there Brad, Stormers are the real deal this year ! And the worst Lions players?

Brad: This is very easy, EARL *#@$ ROSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Earl Rose - ya , he's the guy in red.

TheBounce: It must be frustrating at times with the Lions being a shadow of their former self. What do you think is lacking or holding your side back from returning to the dominant force they once were?

Brad: It is beyond frustrating, in a way it is unacceptable! Firstly they have let far too many good players go over the last five years. This is a sign that players are not happy and this would indicate a bad culture at the union. It starts at the top and if things are unsettled there, then this will inevitable filter down to the players.

Better days - the Transvaal Springboks of 1992

But they have made a valiant effort this year with a new coach and recruiting which ever players are available to buy. One thing I can’t understand is how easy it is for other unions to take contracted Lions players but the Lions can’t poach contracted players from other unions, does this indicate that the other nions know how to draw up solid binding contracts?? just a thought….

TheBounce: From the current Lions team, who are the players to watch out for in the future?

Brad: Jano Vermaak, Heinke van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Doppies la Grange, Wandile Mjekevu, well as long as none of them get bought by the other unions which is what normally happens!!

TheBounce: For anybody that has watched live rugby around the country, they will all agree that Ellis Park is a rather special place to watch rugby for various reasons. Do you have a special fan story which you would like to share?

Brad: 1995 World Cup Final, best day I have had at Ellis Park, I remember it like it was yesterday. My father really spoilt me over that World Cup, I went to every game at Ellis Park and we had unbelievable seats for all the games. Definitely my best memory there so far.

A great time for all back in '95

TheBounce: What’s your view of Dick Muir taking up the reins?

Brad: It’s brilliant, finally the union has caught a wake up and been pro-active. He has a very tough task ahead of him but I can already see a different side when they play. The game against the Hurricane’s a couple weeks ago was a reflection of this, they had just flown across the world six days prior and they gave it to the ‘Canes for 80 minutes, previous Lions teams would have given up. Unfortunately they have a bit of a losing culture at the moment but once they really believe they can win a big game, things will turn around for them…watch this space.

TheBounce: Domestically, which team is recognized as the biggest match up for the Lions and why?

Brad: I will go out on a limb here and say the Sharks, the Lions are normally a bogey side for them and they haven’t beaten them for about two years now, all the games have been really close and I think when the Sharks come to Ellis Park in April they’re going to lose.

Brad with Mrs Broskie - Enjoying a great day out in the stands

TheBounce: Thanks for your time Brad, valuable insights there and I really do hope that the Lions turn the corner at some stage.

Brad's little girl Carmen - hopefully the Lions will be back at the top by the time she is old enough to head off to Ellis with dad.

Brad is just another example of a guy that makes sport great. Fair weather supports clog up many a bar and sporting chat with their fence sitting and negativity, but Brad is a real fan who is a pleasure to meet. Sure the Lions are ‘kak’ at the moment but what are the highs without the lows in life? It’s part of the game and part of being a supporter.

As I mentioned at the start of this piece, Lions fans are a rare thing up here in Gauteng and that is a real shame. A struggling team like this really needs more guys like Brad and his mates, sure nobody likes to back a lame dog, but this dog will bounce back and when it does, Brad Broskie and his buds are going to be in the front row of Ellis Park lapping up the success with more enthusiasm than an under age boys in a strip club.

Lions supporters – not enough of them in Gauteng

The Bulls don’t need another jewish guy from Illovo to support them because they win more than they lose. The Sharks don’t need more okes from Fourways supporting them because they have a lekker jol in Balito every December. Born and raised Joburgers should take a leaf out of Brad’s book and get behind their team, you might not think it a big thing, but with passionate support success is inevitable with or without the best players in the world.

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