| Full name | Gold Coast United Football Club | ||
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| Founded | 2008 | ||
| Ground | Skilled Park, Gold Coast (Capacity: 27,400) |
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| Chairman | Clive Palmer | ||
| Coach | Miron Bleiberg | ||
| League | A-League | ||
| 2010–11 | 4th (league) 3rd Round (finals) |
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| Current season | |||
Gold Coast United Football Club is a professional football (soccer) club based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It was officially announced as an expansion team for the A-League's 2009-2010 season on 28 August 2008. It is the second bid accepted by the league, with an unrelated bid known as Gold Coast Galaxy FC preceding it. The club is owned by Clive Palmer, the wealthiest man in Queensland. In their first two A-League seasons, Gold Coast were surprisingly one of the strongest clubs,performance wise, in the A-League, finishing in the top four on both occasions and making the finals series. Although, in their third season, their form unexpectedly dropped. Since their inception, Gold Coast has constantly been critisised about their average attendance. In their first season, they averaged close to 5,500 people and in their second season, they averaged just under 3,300 people per game, making them the lowest attended team.[1]
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A consortium under the working title of "Gold Coast Galaxy FC", led by real estate magnate Fred Taplin was, along with North Queensland Thunder, was considered for admission for the 2008-2009 season but Football Federation Australia delayed expansion of the league until at least the 2009-2010 season.[2][3] The Galaxy was strongly expected to join in the 2008-2009 season along with North Queensland Thunder, expanding the league to ten teams. Although the Galaxy bid appeared to have good support, the Thunder bid appeared much less secure, particularly after a major financial backer pulled out of the franchise on 5 March 2008. The FFA determined on 11 March that neither team would be granted entry "in the best interests of the league," given that a nine team format was generally unfavoured. Clive Palmer, who originally owned the club fully, sold 10 percent ownership of Gold Coast to close friends who live in Melbourne at the start of 2007 when the club were not fully expected to be given a license into the A-League.
During the off-season prior to the 2008-2009 season, a number of players were touted to join the club and it made some tentative signings, including former Queensland Roar manager Miron Bleiberg,[4] goalkeeper Scott Higgins,[5] and former Wellington Phoenix Brazilian player Felipe. Without entry into 2008-2009 season, the players became free agents and can still sign for the 2009-2010 season depending on the terms of their next club contracts. The franchise was also linked at times with signing Nwankwo Kanu as their "marquee" player.[6]
The name 'Galaxy' was an interim name and it was always undetermined whether or not that name would be used by the club as a permanent name. Galaxy was said to have ties to American Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy, which would have meant pre-season warm-up matches and possible player sharing opportunities. Indeed, in February 2008 there was even talk of David Beckham turning out for a pre-season match.[7] The Galaxy consortium had planned to market the club deep into Northern New South Wales, down to Coffs Harbour.
Once the FFA had decided not to have new franchises in 2008-2009, the focus turned to 2009-2010. The club is 70 percent owned by Clive Palmer, the richest man in Queensland, and the other 30 percent is owned by 3 unidentified men. The Galaxy consortium's chances of entering the A-League were dealt a severe blow in June 2008 when a rival consortium headed by real estate and mining businessman Clive Palmer entered talks with the FFA.[8] On 3 June 2008, Fred Taplin announced that the Gold Coast Galaxy had dropped out of the race for the Gold Coast licence and a place in the A-League 'in the interests of football'.[9] The same day, FFA chief Ben Buckley confirmed that the Palmer consortium had succeeded in securing the franchise.[10] On 6 June, Palmer signed a provisional agreement with the FFA to field a team in the 2009-2010 season. The press conference was held at Robina Stadium, further reinforcing the suggestion that the new franchise will play at the 27,000 capacity stadium.[11] Palmer declared that he would build a side capable of winning the League in its first season.[12]
On the 9 April 2010 it was reported that Clive Palmer had ended his financial support of Gold Coast United, putting the club at risk of instant closure. However, this did not eventuate, and Palmer retained control of the club.[13] Gold Coast United chief executive Clive Mensink denied the club will fold, but the club will be forced to change its ownership structure.[14] And after crucial recruiting's of Bruce Djite, Peter Perchtold, and the regaining of Shane Smeltz, would lead to the most dangerous attack in the whole of the A-League.
The colours of the club are yellow and royal blue. These colours are synonymous with, and representative of, the Gold Coast.[15] The club's alternate jersey is all white.
For the 2011/2012 season, the Hyatt Regency Coolum resort has become United's title sponsor replacing Queensland Nickel, a company owned by Clive Palmer. The Hyatt emblem is emblazoned on the front of the club's strip . Other sponsors to have appeared on United's strip include Modern Solar,[16] WAECO[17] and Westpac.[18]
The club's home ground is Skilled Park. It shares this ground with the Gold Coast Titans NRL team. It is located in the growth suburb of Robina, next to Robina railway station. Skilled Park is able to seat 27,400 people. Low crowds in 2009 had led to the club capping crowds at 5000. The lowest crowd attendance was 1,714 when they played the North Queensland Fury at Skilled Park, on December 1, 2010 in a 2-1 loss.
Due to its proxmity to Brisbane, Gold Coast United's derby match will naturally be against the Brisbane Roar. There was also a rivalry with North Queensland FC given both clubs status as Queensland clubs and both clubs starting in the same season. This rivalry was intensified by Gold Coast's 5-0 thrashing of North Queensland early in the season.
Gold Coast also compete with Perth Glory for the Iron Ore Cup, with owners and mining magnates Clive Palmer and Tony Sage being the inspiration behind the fixture.
Gold Coast United has a relationship with the GCUSC, the major supporter group following the club situated in Bay 30 at games.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Australia
Brazil
Netherlands
New Zealand
Scotland
Last updated 15 February 2011
| Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide United | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Brisbane Roar | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 3 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -3 |
| Melbourne Heart | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Melbourne Victory | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | -6 |
| Newcastle Jets | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 9 | -1 |
| North Queensland Fury | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| Perth Glory | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| Sydney FC | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 11 | -3 |
| Total | 58 | 24 | 16 | 18 | 77 | 69 | 8 |
| Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Hong Kong FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| New Caledonia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| Young Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 4 | 15 |
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