GET A HEAD START
All the fields for Saturday’s big Magic Millions day are on P35
GOLD Coast United FC start their 2018 National Premier Leagues Queensland (NPLQ) campaign this weekend with the first of five planned pre-season practice matches.
United, admitted to the NPLQ during last year, are replacing the now defunct Gold Coast City in the statewide competition and have been busy recruiting players.
Coach Sean Lane said his new playing roster was almost complete and that every available signing is expected to turn out against Noosa Lions, a Sunshine Coast competition club, at Noosa on Saturday.
Lane, who coached Brisbane Strikers to the 2017 NPLQ championship, said marquee signing Conor Smith was set for his first hitout with the new club.
An attacking midfielder, Smith was formerly an Everton academy squad member who has had stints in English lower grades with Fleetwood and Stockport.
“He’ll be having his first match with us and so will another of our signings Acim Tomic (from Surfers Paradise Apollo),” Lane said.
“The only concern at this stage is Dean Wernerson who we got from the Gold Coast Knights. He has a groin issue.”
Lane has arrived at United after five seasons in the Brisbane Strikers system, including head coach last year when the side made it to the semifinals of the NPL club competition.
After Noosa, United have a pre-season schedule that includes matches against Tweed United, Caboolture, Chinese side Wuhan FC and possibly Burleigh Heads.
United open their NPLQ campaign with an away match against Cairns FC on the weekend of February 3-4.
United are expected to name their inaugural captain and vice-captain on Friday night at a jumper presentation in Surfers Paradise.