Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United FC

2014 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Golden Boot winner Royce Brownlie has pointed to an unlikely source for his record-breaking goal haul – his seven-year-old son.

The 34-year-old Moreton Bay United striker set a regular season record in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland in 2014, with his 34 goals bettering 2013 Golden Boot Antonio Murray’s 27 goals in the competition’s inaugural season.

Brownlie said there were many factors that contributed to his returns in front of goal, but it was a contest with his son Rylan that offered the greatest motivation for the former Hyundai A-League and National Soccer League star.

“My little boy said to me at the start of the year, ‘Dad I bet I score more goals than you’– that’s what fuelled me for the year,” Brownlie explained.

“The funny thing is that everyone at Moreton Bay would ask him how many he scored and Rylan would say ‘I’m two or three ahead of dad’.”

“He ended up on 45 goals, so he got away from me in the end,” Brownlie laughed.

Father-son rivalries aside, Brownlie also pointed to the contribution of his strike partner, Charles Mendy, who himself netted 22 goals, as an important factor in his tally this season.

“Having a good striker like Charles Mendy beside me took half the focus. It was a bit of everything but also a bit of the veteran coming out in me too,” Brownlie said.

“I think there’s no pressure and you just go out and play when you’re that little bit older.”

Jets recently confirmed the veteran striker will return for his third season of PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland football at the club next year.

Brownlie said he is looking to continue his goal scoring form and help guide Jets to their first silverware after the club lead the standings early in 2014 before fading to a fith placed finish by season's end.

“I think when you have your own goals then your individual performances can help your team,” Brownlie explained.

“I think if everyone can strive to be the best at their job and in their position then it can lead to the FFA Cup and winning the league.”

“So for next year, for me it’s about being the role model and leading by example, and if I can again win the Golden Boot then everything else will come with it.”

Jets have recently announced renovations to their Wolter Park home ground which will see lighting upgrades and an extension of the pitch.

Brownlie said the larger playing surface will likely benefit his strike partner Mendy more than himself.

“It will probably help him being as quick as he is, but for myself the less distance it takes to get into the 18-yard-box the better,” he joked.

“Seriously though, Wolter Park is a good little ground and it’s good for the crowd. We get a good atmosphere down there and I’m sure any improvements they make will only make that better,” he concluded.