To see who was at the fans forum...

 

Lugt spoke at a fan forum organised by Footy Fans Downunder held at Sydney’s Star City Casino Sports Theatre Bar. He was joined on-stage by Mark Bosnich, Craig Foster, Spencer Prior, Francis Awaritefe and FourFourTwo publisher Andy Jackson.

The forum – which will head to Melbourne next month – discussed a wide range of topics with fans being given the floor to ask any questions of the panel.

Passionate debate and some lively ideas were discussed in front of almost 200 fans.

The night also served as a fund-raiser for the Queensland flood tragedy. But as a forum for ideas, it was also a useful exercise, said Lugt.

“The fact that we have this [fan forum] means the game is getting serious. It’s maturing," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"When this is starting to take place across the country, it’s an army. It’s a powerful army. We’ve got to use the fans we have to further help us to build the game.

"And that goes for Sydney FC. We’ve got to use those fans as ambassadors. They are the best ambassadors we could ever have.

"They have a passion for the club and we’ve got to use them more, communicate and engage with them.”

Lugt added that Sydney FC have been mulling over the idea of a similar public forum for their own fans.

And he was surprised that many supporters told him he was brave for fronting.

“For me, it’s the most logical thing to do," he said. "We are here for the fans. Without the fans there is no existence for professional football.

“So I want to meet the fans, I want to know who they are, where they come from and what makes them not only passionate for the game – as that’s also a universal concept – but what makes them come to Sydney FC.. and what makes them not come to Sydney FC."

Lugt added that he  felt the media were starting to understand that things are changing at the club and they are grasping the opportunity to promote to the grassroots better than before.

He added: "But there is always room for improvement.” 

To see who was at the fans forum...