Police direct Gold Coast United fans after they stormed a closed off area of stadium in protest of a crowd cap at Skilled Park during the round 13 A-League match between the Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury , Saturday, October 31, 2009. Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer made the decision this week to limit the Skilled Park crowd to 5,000 people to save on stadium fees. AAP Image/Dave Hunt.
At the end of their first season as an A-League club, we cannot say with any great certainty that Gold Coast United is a sustainable franchise. It was a tumultuous debut season of off-field debacles that blighted on-field achievement, culminating in penalty shootout heartache and another deplorable crowd figure.
On the park, Gold Coast were exactly what the A-League needed; another powerhouse club who could excite with star names, tear apart the opposition on their day yet were as unpredictable as the league itself.
The squad they built from scratch was certainly impressive. In terms of talent and ability of individual players, only the Melbourne Victory shaded the Gold Coast.
Jason Culina was an inspiration on his return to Australia, marshalling his troops, trying to lift them to his level and producing some sublime moments of his own.
His extraordinary vision and ability to cut through the opposition with his pinpoint passing, combined with Shane Smeltz’s early season goal scoring form, made you think, even for just a moment, that Gold Coast could threaten to go through the season undefeated.
Had it not been for injury-depletion at critical stages of the season, such as when an injury-ravished United were thrashed 4-0 away to Melbourne Victory in November, Gold Coast could well have stolen the Premiers Plate.
Jess Vanstratten, for example, only hit top form in the culminating rounds of the season, having missed much of the early season through injury.
Miron Bleiberg deserves much praise for the team’s performance in its debut season.
But it was the brash talk of an undefeated season and other bold claims that seemed to delude the club on the brink of their debut.
When they defeated EPL side Fulham in a pre-season friendly in front of over 10,000 fans at Skilled Park, you sensed an overwhelming arrogance sweep over the club.
Not only would they sweep to the title undefeated, bringing a glamour to the competition that it had not seen, they would also crowd out the Gold Coast market before the AFL moved. Owner Clive Palmer even baited the AFL with his suggestion that Gold Coast FC, set to debut in 2011, would be unable to sustain a crowd and predicting they would last three years.
As the season began, and despite the initial high-scoring victories, crowds plunged to the point where in late October, Palmer implemented the crowd cap of 5,000 people to limit the loss on stadium fees.
That match against North Queensland, which saw 2,616 turn up (it could have been so much worse), saw the club hit rock bottom.
The club publicly acknowledged they didn’t work hard enough within the local community, and the debacle over ticket prices only compounded the issue. For all the brashness and bravado that characterised their launch as a club, they failed miserably at the very basics of building a football club.
Yes, there were some factors out of their hands that impacted crowds; namely the fact the code doesn’t have the strongest footprint in the region and transport (especially public) isn’t easy to negotiate on the Coast, but there was no connection with the population and that was its fatal flaw.
With all the controversy and bravado surrounding Palmer, the team was viewed as his rather than belonging to the Gold Coast itself.
That lack of a connection and lack of concerted work in the local community saw the crowd drop from the over 10,000 to see Fulham to the 4,109 for the elimination final.
Despite a population base over three-times the size of Townsville’s, Gold Coast United was still behind the North Queensland Fury, with the core supporters, namely The Beach supporter group, making up a significant portion of the crowd each week.
With the defeat in the final, even their successful debut season (when you consider how challenging it is for an expansion franchise to join an established league) will be viewed as a failure such were the ridiculously high expectations made by them so publicly.
It poses the question: Is the franchise sustainable?
As long as Clive Palmer remains committed to the club, his riches will help overcome the deficiencies caused by the small crowds.
But, at heart, he is a businessman, and he’ll be guided by the bottom-line. It was, let’s not forget, fiscal concerns that convinced Palmer to implement the crowd cap.
The future of the club is in his hands, and we can only hope he and his team have seen the mistakes of their first season and start rectifying them in season two. They must understand that creating and running a football club is more involved than just business.
If the club cannot expand its core supporter base beyond the 5,000 mark next season, then serious questions must be asked about the franchise’s sustainability, and even then it will still depend on Palmer’s future.
They also need stability, and the news that Paul Okon has been axed from the coaching staff is a worrying sign that the club may be reacting in panic to their failed finals campaign.
While the AFL franchise starting 2011 won’t be in direct competition with the A-League club, they will compete in the relatively small Gold Coast community for the same corporate dollars and supporters’ dollars and loyalties.
They, incidentally, launched the countdown to their debut in 2011 in the heart of Surfers Paradise yesterday with a rallying cry for the locals to get behind the club and help them reach the 10,000 members mark.
It’s such a campaign that United should have been undertaking this time last year.
As they watch the A-League finals from the sidelines, we can reflect on their season by saying there are more questions than answers surrounding the future of Gold Coast United.
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Mr Real Australian it's called Football Man formerly known as Kurt said | February 24th 2010 @ 2:48am | Report comment
I’m sorry but this is just too good an opportunity to miss – get your voting buttons ready!
So tell us Clive, what do you think of the crowd of 4327 that attended an AFL pre-season trial game in March 09? “That’s not enough to support a new franchise. I give them three years – they’ll be gone by 2014″.
To which I can only add – that’s about one year more than your team fatboy!
AndyRoo said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:38am | Report comment
Well I laughed so I gave you a thumbs up.
Redb said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Marshall said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:58am | Report comment
That’s gonna bite Clive in the bum. Someone buy him a mirror!
Tifosi said | February 24th 2010 @ 5:38am | Report comment
I honestly believe this team cannot get any more support than it already has. Too many bridges have been burnt already.
A finals game and only 4500 turn up? Thats where this franchise will always be at.
As long as palmer is willing to bankroll the club it will still be around but he massively misjudged how fans would take to this new club.
He thought if i bring some big name players, ignore the community, the fans would be willing to flock to the ground but here is a newsflash
a) Jason Culina is hardly marquee and most aussies couldnt tell you who he is
b) Charging $50 for a tix and saying “but thats what the Titans charge and we put out a similar product” is the most laughable thing ive heard.
Dogz R Barkn said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:02am | Report comment
It was actually 4,100.
AndyRoo said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:04am | Report comment
Agree with all you said, especially the burnt bridges part.
Even if they get it right their is a long way back and they may have even permanently damaged team.
The only thing I disagree with is Cullina, he is no Robbie Fowler but their are not that many of them around prepared to come to Australia a current Socceroo who will actually win you games is a decent use of the spot, much better than how most of the other teams have used it (if they have). The Idea of getting in a Marquee is kind of overrated as I think it’s only a short term hit.
billiris said | February 24th 2010 @ 7:24am | Report comment
Unfortunately, it seems Clive Palmer is only interested in his own view for the club. Gold Coast sports fans have become disgruntled with his ridiculous ticket prices, arrogance and ignorance for the greater good of te game. If your crowds are so dreadful give a few tickets out for free, let u15s in for free. He hasn’t gopt the ability to turn things around. the a-league needs to step in and hand it over to someone who is capable of sustaining the football club.
Dogz R Barkn said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:05am | Report comment
It’s hard to imagine that anyone would want to put their hard earned into a brand name that is now so damaged.
Midfielder said | February 24th 2010 @ 7:51am | Report comment
Fold have created many problems for themselves … I hope someone can take charge of their marketing and remove the mess left over from Fat Tony…
On a brighter note just saw a great youtube called … pass & move … one of the best I have ever seen of its type so if you have 3.20 free have a boo peep it is worth the look…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEWlfUcpUQQ
jmo said | February 24th 2010 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
Brilliant! Some really amazing goals in that clip – fantastic team work. Now I can see why youse all put up with all the bad things about soccer, because when it’s played right it’s frkkn spectacular.
I’ll give you an outsider’s perspective on how to make soccer the most popular sport in the country – play it like THAT – all the time… otherwise don’t complain when league hogs the limelight.
Lu said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:11am | Report comment
What is going on up there? We got sub 5000 crowd for a final, but then we have the Gold Coast AFL team coming out and saying they hope to sign up 20,000 members by july?
Is GC17 dreaming? or are GC united one of the worst managed sports club in Australia?
True Tah said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:20am | Report comment
GCU would be one of the worst managed sports clubs in Australia, along with the NSWRU.
JamesP said | February 24th 2010 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Correction – they want 10,000 paid up members by July
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/89802/default.aspx
That will still be a difficult number to get…but I dare say they will do better than GCU
whiskeymac said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Okon axed? it hought he was touted as the heir apparent. so who is the new number 2? Robert Wagner?
True Tah said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:18am | Report comment
Palmer spent too much of his time baiting the NRL and AFL.
For all of his supposed billions, he hasnt really established a successful club. Good they made the finals in the first year, but everyone else was a debacle.
Contrast that with the Central Coast Mariners, who also started off in an area dominated by rugby league. They worked hard to engage their community and are establishing some mighty fine infrastructure. They have made the finals over two years. The Mariners have not come out and said any derogatory comments about other codes.
The fact that I dont know who owns the Mariners is perhaps a glaring indicator between the two clubs. People see GCU as a plaything of some overweight supposed billionaire, who threatens litigation at the drop of a hat. As long as Palmer is there, GCU will never get any bigger than it is now.
stevo said | February 24th 2010 @ 10:29am | Report comment
thats the key distinction with the gold coast: as a team they have succeeded but the club has been a failure (and its hard to see it turning it around)
Red Cap said | February 24th 2010 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Baiting the NRL worked well.
The Titans average close to 20,000 per match.
Sell out for the Indigenous game.
Please don’t attack us any more Clive…
LOL.
As for all the transport etc. reasons in this article , here is an idea: perhaps the Gold Coast has always been, and will always be, a passionate rugby league heartland?
Tweed Seagulls are over 100 years old after all…
Billy McClure said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
Come on – Tweed Seagulls went belly up in the National league as did many Gold Coast Rugby League teams. Its a hard market to crack. Football will eventually get enough support over time as the Titans have now got. You can’t compare Titans and Gold Coast United. A-league is a few years old NRL just celebrated 100 years. The indigenous game was not the titans – if the Socceroos played at skilled park it would be sold out too. Also Rugby League has failed so many times on the coast its about time that they are starting to get it right with the Titans – but there are still many problems at the titans, for example being kicked out of their office blocks and the weekly worry their players will end up in the paper disgracing the club with some assualt charge.
What i don’t get is whats the point for Clive to own the club if he doesn’t want the best team in the comp. why have a team if you are not going to spend money on it? Surely he knows he can’t make much money out of a football club. I would understand if the club was locally run with little funds but Clive’s funds are unlimited compared to the other teams. Clive if you don’t spend whats the point of you owning the club???
Sam el Perro said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:48pm | Report comment
This statement is disingenuous. Both soccer and rugby league have been played for a long time. The A League is 5 years old, the NRL is 12 years old. Don’t confuse competitions with sports.
As for the Tweed Seagulls, they are still playing the Queensland Cup.
Towser said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:37am | Report comment
Adrian,Unfortunately every point you make is true.
Is it sustainable?
Only in my book by Clive continuing to plough in his dough.
Only if Clive continues to plough in more dough.
Why is he in it?
To get his club into the ACL. To utilise this Asian exposure to expand his business. I believe his company owns GCU.
We may condemn this approach,but he(company) own it he can adopt any approach he likes to running it.
He has zilch football nous so does his CEO. What does he have to do. They rely on Miron for this. Big error.
The man believes he is Jose Moruinho Lite.
Get rid of him.bring in a reputable succesful Coach from overseas.
Get a big name marquee who still has 2 legs.
Spend some money on advertising the club & connecting to the community.
Set up an academy like CCM
Get a football savvy CEO. Doesnt matter where from. Look at Edward Lugt at SFC. Difficult market for the opposite reason to GCU(Great interest in football but too many Euro followers).
The beach & the 4000 faithful deserve better than what they’ve copped the last year.
Otherwise stick to mining.
Theres plenty of other areas in Australia vying for an A-League place.
The Tasmanian “Tree Frogs” for one.
Al said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:44am | Report comment
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Gold Coast is not a sporting city, heck it isn’t even a city at all. It is inhabited by some of the most plastic, fake people in the country and basically survives off of the tourist dollar.
There has never been any football heritage in the place (unlike places such as Western Sydney and Wollongong) and the past failures of many other sporting franchises that have met their doom should have taught the FFA that the Gold Coast does not deserve professional football. I feel pity for the few thousand hardcore supporters up there that turn up every week but the fact remains, the type of people that inhabit the place are just not interested. Sydney Rovers or Wollongong should have gotten the nod.
AndyRoo said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:32am | Report comment
Gold Coast does have big suburbs full of young families (Coomera, Ormeu etc etc), the whole corridor between Gold Coast and Brisbane is likely to be filled eventually so the potential is very real.
It’s a real shame for Football because GCU are a massive failure off the field which means football on the Gold Coast will forever be playing catch up. With a billionaires backing the club could have been engaging every kid on the coast, give them a ticket or two and some cheap merchandise when they sign up at their local club, GCU players attending a couple of their training sessions throughout the year. Basically make football people part of GCU from the age of 6 for life. Palmer with his real estate back ground could have played a part in making sure that the new housing projects allocated space for football grounds/clubs.
GC17 will probably come good at just the right time for them to take advantage of the population demographics. Titans and GC17 could be really strong clubs in 10 years time.
Towser said | February 24th 2010 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Guess for the FFA its a matter of how long they can put up with “Could Have Beens”.
Not that important a market for football in reality if it disappears.
Certainly compared to if the Roar go belly up.
Phutbol said | February 24th 2010 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Call them the South Qld Roar and get rid of GCU if they cant (or wont) engage the local community… but surely it cant be that hard to do get a few more down to the ground?
Timmo said | February 26th 2010 @ 9:29am | Report comment
hope so because if thats the case then the potential to have a Peel Region based A-League team will have a good chance. The South Western Corridor in WA from Rockingham to Bunbury will be very popular with houses going up at a rapid rate. It is growing.
Al said | February 24th 2010 @ 11:11am | Report comment
It doesn’t count in terms of deserving a professional football team.
Al said | February 24th 2010 @ 11:46am | Report comment
I wasn’t talking about the rugby league side I was talking about GCU.
Marshall said | February 24th 2010 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Question: how many fans of the away team would travel to the GC when their teams visited? I would have thought it’d be a popular trip – see your team away then party in Surfers for a weekend in summer.