United targeting former skipper
A FAIRYTALE return to Gold Coast United remains a possibility for Michael Thwaite as the out-of-contract defender weighs up what could be his final career move.
Wearied by two travelheavy A-League seasons with Western Sydney, the 35-yearold returned home to Burleigh late last month to spend time with wife Chantelle and his two daughters.
But with his Wanderers deal expiring at the end of May, D-Day is looming for a decision on the next phase of his 16-year career.
The toll that living in Sydney took on family life during his Wanderers stint has left Brisbane Roar as the only viable A-League option, while he would also consider a shortterm
deal in Asia, where he spent time in 2016.
Thwaite played three seasons for Gold Coast United in their original A-League incarnation from 2009-2012, and with growing off-field interests — including his mentoring company That’s Football — a return to the NPL club is not out of the question.
“I’ve had some discussions with both Gold Coast United
and Gold Coast Knights — obviously they’re going to come into the NPL next year — but I do feel an affiliation with Gold Coast United because of my history,” Thwaite, capped 13 times by the Socceroos, said.
“I haven’t considered playing at an NPL level right now but you can never say never. Normally after a season my own rule is that I’ll have three weeks without doing anything and then I’ll probably start ticking over (training) with a club here.
“As a family, we didn’t really want to leave Gold Coast (in 2012) because we were happy, we were content and then after three years the franchise fell over. That’s why we ended up moving back here (in 2016).
“There’s a bit of history when it comes to Gold Coast and football and I definitely want to do something here when I do settle. Right now, after being away for so long, it’s just about being a husband and a father.”
United chairman Danny Maher confirmed the club had spoken about signing the Cairns product.
“We’d love to have him on board. He’d be great in the community, he’d be a great coach and he can obviously still play,” Maher said.