THERE’S a scene in the movie “Groundhog Day” where the central character (played by Bill Murray), wearily verbalises a sequence of events he knows are about to happen, because he’s been there so many times before.

So it is with Brisbane Roar, and the never-ending saga of the Bakries.

Like Murray, we all know the scenarios backwards. Defaulting on payments, warnings from FFA, payments made, renewed commitment to put things right, then ultimately, defaulting again.

Unlike Groundhog Day however, you can’t see a happy ending, where the Bakries realise the error of their ways.

This can only end one way - their removal as the owners of Brisbane Roar.

How to do it though? That’s the tricky bit. While most believe FFA should step in, it may not be quite so simple as sending in the heavies. It’s a little known fact that in the short history of the A-League, the governing body has never pre-empted the withdrawal of a licence, and the Corporations Act means they would need a fairly watertight case in order to do so, in the case of Roar.

A lengthy and costly court battle is the last thing FFA needs, and the Indonesians are clearly looking for a return on an estimated $20 million investment, since taking charge back in 2011.

It’s to that end, they appointed Daniel Cobb, as the would-be agent of change. Cobb hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory in his brief spell at Suncorp, and is - as of Thursday - no longer involved. Whether he was removed, or quit in protest at the Bakries lack of investment, depends upon which press report you believe. It’s irrelevant anyway. He’s a symptom of the malaise, not the cause.

So where to now?

There are rumours (not for the first time), of interest from a local consortium , who are, allegedly, about to put together an offer to buy the club. If true, that would represent the best possible solution - but only if that consortium has the financial clout to invest in the club properly.

Tommy Oar of the Roar. Source: Getty Images

That doesn’t just mean paying wages on a monthly basis - though clearly that is of huge importance - it means building infrastructure, the type of which has been missing at Roar for far too long.

For example, John Aloisi and his football staff currently have no proper office from which to do their business. Instead, they make decisions out of a coffee shop at Griffith University, where the three-time champions of Australia train on a field that has American Football markings across it.

With the new facility at Logan nowhere near ready, they are desperate to get back to Ballymore, where I once watched them train a few years ago on what was - to all intents and purposes - an open field, with dog walkers strolling by. It wasn’t quite “jumpers for goalposts” but it wasn’t far off. If that’s the better option, then it’s truly Hobson’s choice.

Similarly, Roar has been run on the smell of an oily rag in terms of personnel, for as long as I can remember. Former CEO, Sean Dobson (now ironically, in a similar role at the Queensland Rugby Union, where part of his job may be to acquire money up front, to move Roar back to Ballymore), was almost a one-man band. Chris Fong, the erstwhile Chairman, was often absent overseas, and decisions were made at snails pace, by virtue of the need to inform Jakarta of every move.

Matt McKay, Daniel Cobb, John Aloisi. Source: Supplied

It was, and is, no way to run a modern football club.

It shows a chronic lack of investment in a club that has been one of the shining lights of the A-League era, with those three titles supplemented by two Premierships, and a 36-game unbeaten run under Ange Postecoglou that will stand for many, many years. They’ve not only won, they’ve won in style, and in spite of the messy way the club has been run.

That Queenslanders have been prepared to stand by and let this happen to a club that has proved to be such an asset to its main city is not just a tragedy, it’s an utter disgrace. For a state that prides itself on its parochialism, it’s been apathetic on too many levels for too long. Yet when a Grand Final is at stake, 50,000 turn up in best bib and tucker, cheering the club to the rafters. Go figure.

Do you think the Broncos would have been allowed to wither on the vine in the same way as Roar? Not a chance in hell.

There’s blame to be shared by other parties too, however. Were an A-League commission to exist, the other clubs would have long ago brought Roar into line. A competition is only as strong as its weakest link, but with FFA in charge it has been all too easy to pass the buck to head office. FFA in turn, has been distracted by events in Newcastle until recently.

Dimitri Petratos of the Roar and Rostyn Griffiths of the Glory compete for the ball. Source: Getty Images

As things stand, Roar have less than 1,000 members with the new season fast approaching. Transfer targets are proving difficult to land, with uncertainty surrounding payment of wages, and the future ownership of the club. Brisbane Roar is, essentially, a shell, with the Aloisi’s, Craig Moore, the players, a small band of staff and a dwindling band of supporters its only tangible assets.

Is that any way for a champion club to exist? Does Brisbane truly want a professional football club? What do the Bakries want out of Roar - or to GET out of Roar? Must the A-League continue to have these dramas every off-season? Can a new TV deal meet expectations with such an important market like Brisbane in a state of flux?

These are huge questions for the games - and the clubs - leaders. They must provide answers, and soon. The future of the competition, and one of our most successful clubs, depends upon it.

Because everyone is getting heartily sick of Groundhog Day.