A-LEAGUE IN FRAME
A-League hopefuls on verge of securing a home
THE city’s former A-League football club is close to securing a home ground as it eyes a return to the top competition.
Gold Coast United rejoined the National Premier Leagues this year but still has no base.
But the club is in advanced talks to use Coplick Family Sports Park at Tallebudgera.
The club’s bosses have made no secret of their desire for the city to once again have an A-League team.
THE city’s former A-League football club is on the cusp of securing a home ground on the southern Gold Coast as it eyes an eventual return to the top competition.
Gold Coast United rejoined the National Premier Leagues (NPL) this year and has been kicking goals with recruitments, including signing Socceroo Michael Thwaite for 2019, but still has no base.
It has led to the embarrassing situation at times when female teams and referees in particular have struggled without changing rooms at fixtures.
However, the club is in advanced talks to pin down using Coplick Family Sports Park at Tallebudgera, the Bulletin can reveal.
Gold Coast United chairman Danny Maher confirmed the talks at the club’s awards night at RACV Royal Pines on Friday, attended by more than 500 club members, players and sponsors.
Mr Maher has released a council-approved statement saying: “We are working with the council on a facility at Coplick Family Sports Park in Tallebudgera. This will be our new base that we can invest in together with the council.
“We are negotiating the use of this facility and exploring all management models to ensure NPL quality fields and change rooms for both our males and females.
“We hope to confirm this arrangement in October and we thank council for the hard work they put in to assist us and the Gold Coast community in moving the sport forward within these state and national pathways.”
The club bosses have made no secret of their desire for the city to once again have an ALeague team, but aim to build from the grassroots with highlevel coaching at junior level.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate was tightlipped on the talks to secure United home turf.
“Given negotiations with United and its terms of lease at Coplick are ongoing, I can’t comment further,’’ he said.
But Cr Tate added: “It’s fantastic United is making moves to secure a NPL home base and eyeing off a future in the A-League.
“I’d love to see that happen as it would again put our city on the football map domestically.”
At the awards night, Thwaite – returning to his beloved Gold Coast to play for United in the NPL – said he was seriously impressed by the club’s structure, aims and the awards evening.
“Honestly, I have never seen anything like this at at semi-pro or NPL level of any club let alone the professional leagues in Australia or overseas in Asia,” he said.
Thwaite said that having to depart the Gold Coast when it lost its A-League status had been heartbreaking for his young family and that his wife had a great job here at the time.
United eventually folded in 2012 after mining magnate owner Clive Palmer had his ALeague licence stripped by Football Federation Australia.
“(But now) the only thing missing is a base. Once that gets ticked off with council, hopefully next month, there is no reason why this club can’t become professional again,” Thwaite said.