WHAT'S in a name? To some people apparently everything.

Five years since the orange and maroon outfit was christened Queensland Roar and still people line up to take pot shots at the name. I believe that five years is enough of the childish put downs and constant sniping. The name is what it is – deal with it.

I have noticed there are two types of name-haters when it comes to the Brisbane based side. The first, and I personally believe the more annoying of the two, are those who have yet to give up their passionate disgust for the nickname Roar.

I must admit that I was slightly miffed when the name was announced nearing on five years ago. Although, I have since grown quite fond of the moniker and I have sensed the same sentiment from other supporters of the club. We, as the supporters, have taken ownership of it. Perhaps it is a little quirky but it is ours and we are proud of it.

It would seem those that possess a vehement dislike for the nickname are mostly supporters of other A-League clubs. Although in a league that includes other strange nicknames like Glory, Victory, Fury and Phoenix, it is surely a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Granted, there are also a few locals who, entirely due to the nickname, refuse to support the team. I personally know of two people in my immediate social circle that are against any nicknames in the A-League. They are insistent that all teams be known simply as Football Clubs.

These self-proclaimed traditionalists may prefer their teams to forego the Major League Soccer style nicknames, yet a league where every team is called either United, City or FC would be a rather bland affair. The desire for such generic names seems to be proof that the cultural cringe has never left us – that we need to adhere to the conventions of European football heritage to garner respect.

Perhaps these traditionalists should consider that a recent trend toward orthodox football-type names in the MLS has resulted in some strange concoctions. The most cringe worthy of these is Real Salt Lake, although Houston Dynamo is not much better. I refuse to believe those names wouldn’t solicit more laughs on the continent than Queensland Roar FC ever could.

As I stated earlier, there is a second type of name-hater – those persons that oppose the geographical marker of Queensland. With two new Queensland-based teams entering the league next season it is arguably outlandish for the club to claim the whole state as its domain. Personally, I believe that this argument holds substantially more merit.

It appears the club itself believes the same thing. A recent poll on the team’s official website asked whether the team should replace the term ‘Queensland’ with the more precise ‘Brisbane’. An overwhelming percentage of voters supported the name change. The club has confirmed to me that, based on this small sample, further and more widespread research will be conducted at season’s end.

To quote the club’s official response to my questions on the issue, “If the professional market research reveals a substantial majority of people (say more than 60-65%) prefer ‘Brisbane Roar’ to ‘Queensland Roar’ then the board will seriously consider making the change.”

Perhaps therefore hope exists for some name-haters but the self-proclaimed traditionalists will be disappointed to know that the club goes on to clarify, “the essential part our brand is ‘Roar’ and this part of our name will not change.”

I must say that I agree with the club’s position. Five hard years of promotion and media exposure has ensured that the Roar is as well known as the Broncos, Reds or Lions in the Brisbane area. It would make little sense to throw all of that away now.