United’s future is bright with Grae

RETIRING Gold Coast United captain Michael Thwaite says the club is set up for future success with coach Grae Piddick at the helm.

After a disappointing 11thplaced finish to the 2020 NPL Queensland season, narrowly avoiding relegation, United have top-four aspirations this season with perennial winner Piddick at the helm.

Thwaite’s retirement has left a significant hole in United’s back four, forcing Piddick to field one of the youngest back lines in the competition so far in 2021.

But the club will not be entirely without the services of Thwaite (pictured).

“I think it’s great we have Grae Piddick with us. His experience will be invaluable,” Thwaite said.

“I’m sure they wanted me to play (this season) but I made my decision and I was clear on that.

“I’m still training Tuesdays and Thursdays with the team – that’s two nights a week I can be on the field and give Grae some perspective with what’s happening on the pitch.

“It’s natural for me to want to help defensively because that’s what I've been doing over quite a number of years.

“In saying that, they’re doing well and Grae analyses the game so well.

“He’s giving them the right information and I'll be there to help where I can.”

For all his football success – 215 A-League caps and 13 Socceroos appearances – Thwaite said playing for United in the NPL “had been an honour”.

“It was such a sad day for me when the club folded back in 2012. For the board to start the club from scratch and have a foundation now in the NPL is fantastic,” he said.

“To play the past two years has been an honour and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”