Gates says United ticking every box
HE arrived in Queensland with hopes of breaking into the Brisbane Strikers’ recordsetting NPL squad but Jack Gates is adamant he has found a long-term home at Gold Coast United.
After making the move from Tasmania late last year, the 22-year-old winger featured in a handful of pre-season games with the Strikers under then-coach Sean Lane.
But Lane’s departure from the club, the first to win backto-back NPL premierships, to join United prompted Gates to follow suit – and he has not looked back.
“I love playing for the Gold Coast. They play a quality style of football – it’s very attacking – and it definitely suits mine,” said Gates, who spent two seasons in the Tasmanian NPL.
“Laney’s style is that every chance you get, you go forward and that’s basically my style of play. He backs me and my pace to take them on.
“I don’t take that for granted and it’s awesome to have a coach that plays that style. I moved up here to get ALeague identification and Gold Coast ended up being the best place for me as they’re pursuing to get into the A-League.
“There’s more competition (in Queensland), more scouts about and more ways to get noticed. Professionalism is definitely a step up ... from back home.”
With the longest road trip in Tasmania a four-hour bus ride, Gates is experiencing an NPL first this weekend after making the flight to Townsville for tonight’s battle with North Queensland United.
While he concedes United hasn’t had “that great of a start” after picking up four points from five games, he is confident the tide will turn.
“(The preparation) has been pretty well the same, we’ve had a few good sessions on the training track,” he said.
“I have no doubt we’ll climb up the ladder.”
In the NPL Women’s, Mudgeeraba will look to extend their unbeaten run to three games when they host Mitchelton at 3pm tomorrow.