Burleigh blessing

DEPARTING goalkeeper Griffin Bambach has hailed the influence of legendary Burleigh coach Colin Phelan as he turns his attention to NPL success with Gold Coast United.

After a breakout season with the Bulldogs, 19-year-old Bambach and fellow Premier League star Jason Campbell (Palm Beach) yesterday took United’s off-season signings tally to five under new coach Kristian Rees.

An outfield player in his junior days in Byron Bay, Bambach has been given no guarantees of a starting spot with the Surfsiders but said his time under Phelan – a title winner at Burleigh and Broadbeach – had given him all the tools to push for an NPL debut.

“Phelo played a massive factor in getting me here,” Bambach said of the Premier League Coach of the Year.

“I was talking to him a lot about wanting (to play) NPL football and he really pushed me throughout the season to get me to where I needed to be.

“Once Reesy became the coach as well, I knew exactly where I wanted to play. I need to work hard and establish myself as a top keeper in the competition.

“I’ve played against a few (of my new United teammates) and I’ve always rated them highly.

“Everyone has been really welcoming and really easy to get along with.”

Alstonville product Campbell, 21, will now have the chance to partner Gold Coast Knights signing Justyn McKay in the midfield, with fellow recruits Oskar Dillon (Knights) and Michael Thwaite shaping as the centre-half pairing.

“I really want to push myself,” said Campbell, who spent five years in the Palm Beach/ Gold Coast City NPL systems before captaining the Sharks in this year’s Premier League.

“I’ve heard there’s a good culture growing here and I want to get involved, get plenty of game time and work towards making the finals with the squad.”

Rees, who now sets his sights on bolstering United’s frontline, said his recruits had the potential to dominate Queensland’s top competition.