BACK FROM BRINK

Why international investors could deliver A-League return for Gold Coast United

GOLD Coast United’s case for an A-League return has been bolstered after securing inprinciple backing from two American investors with links to clubs around the world.

The reformed franchise yesterday submitted its expression of interest in joining an expanded A-League to Football Federation Australia, and will be supported in the next part of the process by Brett Johnson and Jordan Gardner.

Johnson is co-chairman of second-tier US outfit Phoenix Rising, while Gardner is a shareholder in recently relegated English Premier League club Swansea and coowner of Irish side Dundalk.

The pair made contact with Gold Coast through an intermediary after following A-League expansion developments and have long been keen on the competition.

“We think it is a prime opportunity to get involved with Australian football, leveraging our track record in global football investments, and feel there are fantastic opportunities with Gold Coast United,” Johnson said in a statement.

Chairman Danny Maher said Johnson and Gardner were “straight shooters” and was glad to have them on board.

“Football in Australia needs new investment, it needs new international partners, it needs international links and these guys bring all of that and more,” Maher said.

“The Gold Coast is the largest city in Australia without an A-League team and we have amazing facilities having just hosted the Commonwealth Games.

“At this point in time the FFA have not released information pertaining to licence fees and potential broadcast

incomes so as a group we will have to take a look at the complete commercial proposition during the next phase.”

Johnson is part of an eclectic ownership group at Phoenix Rising, which includes Chelsea great Didier Drogba, recording artists Diplo and Pete Wentz, and Chinese hotel billionaire Alex Zheng, who is also a part-owner of French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice.

Gardner, meanwhile, has connections to the Peak6 investment firm, which has stakes in AS Roma, AFC

Bournemouth and is in takeover talks with 10-time French champions Saint-Etienne.

It remains to be seen if the pair’s financial clout will be enough to encourage FFA to return to the glitter strip.

Gold Coast was a spectacular A-League failure under Clive Palmer’s ownership, with the club booted from the competition in 2012 before it was re-formed this year.

United is one of three Queensland clubs, along with Brisbane City and Western Pride, seeking to join in 2019-20.