LEIGH Matthews has confirmed his role in a board room coup to topple under-siege Brisbane chairman Angus Johnson and sieze control of the club.

Directors Paul Williams, Mick Power and Matthews are running a ticket to take control of the board and have vowed to make a new approach to Swans 2005 premiership coach Paul Roos.

Brisbane’s triple premiership coach told courier-mail.com.au he had fielded several approaches in recent years but only decided to join a ticket yesterday when he was convinced the club’s best future was under a Power-Williams led board.

“My jump over the cliff was when Paul and Mick said they were going to run for the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship,’’ he said. “I know these people well and believe in what they are doing.

“I’m on because of them and I believe I can help.’’

Williams and Power this morning called on Johnson and fellow directors Linda Nash and Cameron Milner to stand down.

The trio refused and the issue looks headed for an emergency general meeting.

Johnson lost the confidence of his Power, Williams and a host of influential Lions supporters over the botched nature of former coach Michael Voss’ sacking.

As foreshadowed in The Courier-Mail last Wednesday, a group of influential former sponsors and directors orchestrated the coup that could see Matthews drafted into a football director’s role.

Respected doctor and Lethal Lion Dr Alan Smith and former Fitzroy best and fairest winner and successful McDonalds franchisee Ross Thornton are also part of the ticket.

Williams said he was hopeful the leadership spill could be solved amicably for the good of the club but stressed his faction were up for the fight.

“We would hope there is sufficient momentum from our actions for the remaining board to reconsider their position,’’ he said.

“We hope for the good of the club they might decide there is no point going to a meeting, but we are prepared.

“Leigh has taken a long, long time to get to this point, he feels now is the time to make a contribution.

“He has made it clear to us that he wants to be part of our ticket.’’

The takeover bid began at today’s meeting to discuss the formation of a coaching selection panel –to be headed by three time Hawk premiership star and former coach Peter Schwab.

The new board will make recruiting Roos the primary objective.

“He is absolutely still a priority for us, an urgent priority,’’ Williams said. “From Tuesday on there was a situation where we felt we had to maximise our chances of getting his attention.’’

Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes’ position could also be in jeopardy.