A-League: Adelaide United wrapped up a home elimination final in week one of the finals series with a thumping 5-3 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Anzac Day afternoon.

Diehard Brisbane Roar fans have taken to social media after Suncorp Stadium security took down their tribute to retiring football legend Matt McKay.

The Roar have endured a season from hell in the A-League, finishing second last ahead of the Central Coast Mariners with the worst goals against in history, conceding 71 strikes this year — the most of any campaign in the history of the competition.

Despite the dire season, the fans turned out in numbers with 11,790 in attendance to farewell McKay.

The supporters have been strong all season with the fourth highest average attendance in the league, despite just four wins from 27 games.

So when the Wally Lewis statue out the front of the stadium got a makeover with an orange no. 17 jersey — the jersey of McKay — you’d think there would be no problem.

Sadly not.

The Suncorp Stadium security were quick to act, taking down the tribute and taking the jersey.

The Brisbane Roar fans Twitter page then took it online, sharing the disappointment with the world.

To celebrate McKays final game ever Wally was given a new shirt. Unfortunately @suncorpstadium security took it down immediately, didn’t even give us our shirt back. @brisbaneroar @DRPourre @FFA @ALeague this is the kind of pettiness that alienates fans. Shame on you Suncorp pic.twitter.com/clMcFumrfu — Brisbane Roar Fans (@bneroarfans) April 25, 2019

Social media, as you would expect, were quick to get behind the Roar supporters.

Pathetic. — Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) April 25, 2019

Boo @Suncorpstadium At least give the shirt back. 😃⚽️ https://t.co/SDisZ2G83h — Tony Pignata (@tpignata9) April 25, 2019

Completely disgraceful from Suncorp but first and foremost how tf did you even get the shirt on https://t.co/5aDmPNmsCz — Hugo 🇦🇺 (@RhyanGrxnt) April 25, 2019

Look at the photo. A kid watching on, in Roar shirt, most likely getting a real kick out of seeing Wally in a jersey. Good for the roar, good for the kid, and even food for Suncorp/Wally!! Next minute, the ultimate fun police step in. Unbelievable. https://t.co/OYEYYpT5qe — Matt F (@MMF006) April 25, 2019

Matt McKay should be the first footballer with a Suncorp Stadium statue. 59 socceroo caps, a world cup and an a league championship. Should happen soon — Kieran Banks (@_kieranbanks) April 25, 2019

Sadly for the fans, the game didn’t go their way either.

The Roar finished their season with a 5-3 loss at home, handing Adelaide United a home semi-final.

The match was the last time retiring club captain McKay pulled on an orange jersey with the ex-Socceroo making his 302nd and final appearance for the Roar in all competitions.

McKay said it was nice to bow out in front of home fans.

“I’m a proud Queenslander, I love getting out on Suncorp (Stadium) in front of these fans,” McKay said after the match.

“I’m very sad to finish my career but I try to teach my (children) to try their hardest and put everything into every day and I feel like I’ve done that throughout my career.”

McKay is one of several players who’ll exit the Roar in coming weeks.

Veteran Brazilian Henrique has been told he’ll be released while Brett Holman and Thomas Kristensen are also leaving.

In all 13 players including French marquee Eric Bautheac, Spanish import Alex Lopez, Dane Tobias Mikkelsen and late season signings Eli Babalj and Charlie Lokoli-Ngoy are all off-contract.

The 2019 A-League finals series will be live and on demand on Kayo Sports for just $25 per month for two devices at once on Apple, Android and Telstra TV, for Apple and Google Android smartphones, on web browsers and via Google Chromecast Ultra devices. Click here for your free trial.

Interim coach Darren Davies, who will stay on as an assistant to Fowler, said he was eager to start plotting the path forward for the Roar alongside the ex-England international.

“The new manager’s in place and we can really sit down, plan our way forward and then fully support the new manager in getting us back to where we want to be next season,” Davies said.

Davies was thrust into the role following the resignation of John Aloisi in late December.

During his time in charge, the Welshman promoted several of the club’s young prospects including strikers Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Nicholas D’Agostino as well as teenagers Zach Duncan and Izaack Powell.

— with AAP