Well I leave for Sydney tonight and then off to Johannesburg tomorrow morning at 10am. Very excited. However I am not going to talk about football today. People often say to me “do you talk about anything else other than football? In other words do you care or have an opinion on anything other than football. In short, YES I do. So today I will give you a quick summary of what I consider important and my personal opinions on things other than football.
Shout Out
First I am going to give a shout out to some people and organisations that do things I admire and support.
Cate Bolt is in her own words “An ordinary mum trying to achieve extraordinary things”. Cate gave up a life of being financially comfortable, running a business to one of that dedicated to helping others. Cate made that decision as a mother of 9 children and before the GFC. Her husband Rick, lost his job last year and they ended up Homeless. Throughout all this Cate has continued her crusade to start an orphanage for homeless youth in Indonesia called Project 18 and also has Catescause here in Australia for our own homeless people. Have a read of her sites and decide if you can help out. I think she is more than ordinary.
Also I should add that she hates Football (all codes) and is not happy that the South African Government has spent zillions of Rand on the World Cup whilst Millions of their citizens remain in poverty. We have almost nothing in common, but I respect Cates opinion and admire her tenacity to achieve her goals.
Charities
My wife and I make conscious decisions every month do donate to charities. We have a sponsor child with World Vision, a young boy in Ghana. With the help of my family and friends I raised $745 for Mission Australia to help homelessness in Sydney. We give regularly to Red Cross, Care Flight, Mater Hospitals and a number of others. I find that giving to those less fortunate is very rewarding. I don’t have the guts to do what Cate did but we will continue to give.
And the football world also supports charities and causes. The Green and Gold Army, our Aussie supporters group have been raising money for the South African Red Cross to help their fight against AIDS.
My Opinions
Politics – I am a confirmed swing voter. I don’t believe either party deserves my total support, never have. I do vote every election based on policy and who I believe will do the best job as leader. I voted for KRUDD, and am of the opinion that sometimes you get a lemon. Shit happens. I can’t believe it has only taken him 2.5 years to reach the arrogance it took Howard 8 years to reach. I’ll be searching for Don Chip at the next election.
Super Profits Tax – Storm in a tea cup. The mining companies will end up accepting it but this was badly handled by the government, as is their mantra throughout their time so far.
War on Terror – Afghanistan I can just accept but going in to Iraq was an unmitigated disaster. The yanks should never have gone and we should never have followed. However as we are part of the problem we must be part of the solution.
Israel – Sick of the arrogance of Israel. Netanyahu is the next biggest threat to world peace since George Bush left office. Stop thinking the World owes you something and come to a solution that will give the Middle East stability and the world peace.
I could go on, but I have to pack for my trip to South Africa.
Cheers
Tezza
June 02 2010 | General | 4 Comments »
In a surprise to no one, I am really excited about going to South Africa next week. I have spent the past 4 months planning and booking flights, accommodation, safaris etc. It has been time consuming and an absolute blast.
Next Wednesday night, my lovely wife and I take off to Sydney before flying to Johannesburg the following morning. This time without the boys. 
They don’t seem to upset and are probably planning their party’s as I type. Veronica has put up instructions next to all the appliances as a reminder. They have had their induction and competency training on each one, lets hope they are still in one piece when we return.
There are many tours available but Veronica and I along with 6 others have planned our own African safari. All up we will be away for 28 days and will have spent about 40% less than those on a 19 day tour. We will be flying and driving around the country and taking in some of the best sites South Africa has to offer. From Table Mountain to Kruger National park, we intend on having a fantastic time.
4 years ago we drove around Germany in a Camper Van with our boys, and in the middle I took Veronica shopping in Austria and then Neuschwanstein Castle for her birthday. 
This time we are heading to Victoria Falls for 2 nights. Does that get me husband of the year or what?
We made some great friends in Germany and will be traveling with them to South Africa. One lady we are traveling with I didn’t meet until the Asian Cup in 2007. Her name is Heather and she is possibly the most loyal Socceroo supporter ever. Heather is over 70 years old and is traveling to her 5th World Cup. Her first was in 1974 to watch the first ever World Cup for the Socceroos. And she has been traveling to watch them ever since.
Over the 4 weeks we are away I will keep a diary and will have plenty of Blogging material for when I get back.
As I write this sentence my countdown timer is ticking over to 6 days, 0 hours, 0 Minutes until we take off for Sydney. BRING IT ON
Until then you can follow me daily on Twitter
Cheers
Tezza
May 27 2010 | General and World Cup | No Comments »
Gold Coast United – Season One
How We Went
Played 27 matches for 13 wins 5 draws 9 losses 39 goals for 35 goals against for a total of 44 and finishing 3rd. Shane Smeltz also won the Golden Boot award with 19 goals for the season. With 8 teams in their 5th season and the 2 teams above us have won 3 of the 4 championships I would say that Gold Coast United can hold their heads up high. Certainly as a fan I am very happy with that.
We had a heap of highs both on and off the field as well as some lows. But that is Football and I wouldn’t give up the emotional roller coaster of being a fan for anything.
Crowds
The biggest problem and most commented on issue all season has been Crowds. Why can’t we get a decent size crowd? To put it in context to the whole league, on average there has been a 20% drop in crowd numbers. SFC, Glory and the Nix are the only clubs to record an increase. 3 clubs had 30% or more drop in crowds. Per head of population, Gold Coast ranks 4th. Yes GCU had the lowest crowd average, but also have the 4th lowest catchment of people to reach. And yes, 4100 to a Semi Final is unacceptable.
These may seem like lame excuses to some but they are real issues that other areas do not have to deal with other than maybe the Fury.
- Gold Coast has no National Football history
- Gold Coast has no Football Culture.
- Very small ethnic football populations, who have been the backbone of Football in this country for decades.
- It is an area of the country where people come to chill out either for life or on holidays. It takes a lot to get a Gold Coaster moving, believe me.
- There is so much to do here for locals and tourists. It is one of the reasons I moved here 15 years ago from Sydney.
There is no doubt our crowds must pick up if we are to be a sustainable football club, and if I have to defend this in 3 years time then maybe I shouldn’t be. This issue has been constantly debated on the forum since the season started. I don’t know if we have found one particular answer, but we do have the population base and a good base of junior footballers to draw on. It is up to the club to tap into that somehow. Just look at what the NRL has done and what the AFL is doing.
Clive
Our illustrious owner. He certainly knows how to score a headline. When I first heard that Clive had bankrolled the team I was really excited. Not only did we have an A-League team on the Gold Coast, but it was backed by the richest man in Queensland. Surely we couldn’t fail. Clive said all the right things in the media about supporting the local football community, bringing a first class team to the Gold Coast etc. Then he goes and bags the Titans, and then he goes and says we will win the competition undefeated. Way to go Clive, a real winner with the majority of Gold Coasters.
Then throughout the season he continued to gain headlines by capping the crowds, bagging the FFA and eventually accusing them of a conspiracy against the Gold Coast. Why would they do that after they granted a license to him to build the game on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately he came across to the Gold Coast community as a whinger who has too much money. And this is not just my opinion, this is what my friends tell me and just about anyone outside football tells me when I start spruiking about getting along to Skilled Park to watch GCU.
I find it almost embarrassing that the FFA took over control of match days because the richest man in Qld had a dummy spit about losing money after he was so adamant about building the game on the Gold Coast and Northern NSW.
There is no doubt we need people like Clive in the game with his money. But we also need him to work with the FFA, clubs and fans to build the game. It is a hard sell not only on the Gold Coast but to Australia in general. He can’t run a Football club like a mining company, and he can’t micro manage people running a club in a game he knows very little about. Put some football people in management and one on the board, and let them do their job.
Club
It did appear to me from the outside that Clive had a huge influence on the day to day running of the club. Unfortunately this seemed to lead to people not being able to do their jobs. They have sacked their Marketing Manager probably for the lack of marketing. I believe it was his lack of resources. Andrew is a passionate football person who was very supportive of our supporters club and understood what we wanted to achieve in the home end. Thank you Andrew for your support this season.
They also did not renew Paul Okon’s contract after indicating from the beginning he would take over from Miron. I have no idea what sort of a coaching job Paul did but is suspect a clash of ideas with Miron was the ultimate decider. Thanks Paul.
During this off season I expect the Club from Clive and Miron down to be very active in the Gold Coast community. Our local football season has just started and we need our players to be active every weekend at some level with our youth. This is where we will gain crowds as these people already play the game. We need to build the product name in our own community before we look at the wider community.
Whoever the new marketing manager will be needs to be tough and innovative in getting people to the games. The club needs to give the person the resources to do this.
Supporters
“The Beach” as we called ourselves in the home end grew steadily throughout the season. We have a long way to go with coordinating our chanting but it is getting there. We have a great core group of supporters who have been there week in week out despite the problems off field and with the crowds. The way we reacted to the Cap was a great bonding experience and was a real turn around. We want to create an atmosphere at the ground that everyone can enjoy and hopefully we did that.
Standing, singing and wearing beach hats are not everyone’s cup of tea, and the hats are not traditionally a football thing. They have come in for a lot of flak from our opposition fans but this has only steeled my like for them and I hope they continue to be popular. We sold 200 this season. I think what they have done is identify us to our own community and people want to wear them. Along with our name they are an iconic symbol of our region and one which I wear with pride not only at the game but as a volunteer once a month.
Me and the wife, Semi Final v Jets
Ah well that’s my first bit of writing since November and it felt good to vent. I have a heap of subjects in my head to blurt about so come back again. Also leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
Cheers
Tezza
PS. I am going to the World Cup in 85 days time. woo hooo
March 08 2010 | A-League and Gold Coast United | 7 Comments »
GCU Supporters rejoiced after last Saturday nights win.
It saw the team turn around 2 successive losses to bottom teams and beat the league leaders, and bring back our deficit to 2 points.
Although the crowd was small it still tipped over the CAP mark of 5000. It is definitely something we can build on.
Sportsman’s Lunch
The Supporters Club is organising a Sportsman’s Lunch. We have been able to organise with the club to supply at least 6 players including Jason Culina. Here is the flier, so if it interests you, drop us a line and make arrangements to pay up.
Cheers
Tezza
November 12 2009 | Gold Coast United | No Comments »
It has been a roller coaster for over a week now. But since the Cap was lifted on Monday and the Prices slashed it feels like we are starting over.
Our supporters club has been inundated with media requests. We have been in the local paper every day since last Saturday, a spot in the Brisbane Times, 442, ABC Gold Coast Radio. Its all happening.
We have also been contacted by the club every day this week and sometimes by multiple people. The FFA are behind us as well and have asked us to be part of the pre game entertainment outside the park tomorrow night.
A big Thanks to the FFA for talking to the Club, The Club for listening and compromising with the FFA, the Gold Coast Public, The media and a BIG thanks to Supporters from the A-League clubs around Australia. You have been very active on our forum giving us encouragement. Of course you will throw it out the window now we have won, but that’s ok.
Come On Gold Coast
Tezza
November 06 2009 | General | No Comments »
2 days is a long time in Football.
My last blog centered on the fans protest at the Crowd cap at last Saturday nights game as did media reports. Next thing the FFA is talking tough, then Jason Culina voices his displeasure, and then FINALLY last night the Club announced that the CAP IS SCRAPPED.
HOW GOOD IS THAT?????????????????
I think a lot of us thought we won Lotto or the Melbourne Cup when we read this news.
I am ecstatic at this news. I don’t know all the details yet but apparently a new ticket pricing structure will be announced tomorrow morning as well.
As supporters, we feel damn good about this and feel we had some sort of hand in making it happen.
Up until today, all official communication with the club has been 1 way. We ring them. Today, Clive Mensink, CEO, rang our club President and told him about a BBQ that the Players are putting on for US, the fans. It will be tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday Nov 4th, at Southport Tigers after training at about 5pm.
I will still wait and see how this all pans out, but it appears that Clive and Clive have listened not only to us but the FFA and given us our Beach back, as well as a new pricing structure.
It is now up to the Gold Coast Fans to get off your bums, buy a ticket and come and support a really good football team. Our team has a real chance of actually winning this competition. I am not saying we will, but we have a great chance. In any case we will have fun cheering our team on. SO come and Stand Between The Flags or just sit anywhere else, but PLEASE, COME AND SUPPORT GOLD COAST UNITED
Cheers
Tezza
November 03 2009 | A-League and Gold Coast United | 1 Comment »
Scrap the Cap
Well its official, the “Cap the Crowd” strategy by Clive Palmer was a disaster in community relations as well as his relations to the wider Football Community. Just over 2600 people turned up last night with many Season ticket holders staying away in protest at having to move.
Our supporters group who stand in “The Beach” (Bay 30) were all moved to Bay 2 in the corner behind the goal line. We turned up with protest banners and when the players left the field after their warm up we held those banners up towards Clive’s private box. “Scrap the Cap”, “Fans not $$ “, “Greatest Team Never Seen”, “Football is for the fans, not greedy hands, Justice for the GCU”, “Want bigger Crowds Clive, Ask us How”. This continued until the players came back to the field for the kickoff. We then got down to the business of supporting the TEAM with our singing and chanting.
GCU Fans vent their anger
GCU Fans send Clive a Message.
During the game, the crowd wanted to do more and it was decided that at the 70th minute that we would “Storm The Beach” and run over to Bay 30 where our normal seats are. About 20 people made it over the concrete barrier between the stands whilst the rest were stopped by security when they realised what was happening. The crowd around us got behind us and we were all cheering the guys on as they ran across. Security did catch up with them and escorted them out of the stand. About 10 were kicked out of the stadium for “Trespassing”. The rest made it back to the relocated beach and we continued to sing for our team. Unfortunately the Fury scored a second goal during this time and we were 2-0 down and that remained the score until the end.
GCU fans "Storm the Beach"
At the end of the game most of us stayed in our seats and chanted for Clive to come down. Clive did come down, Clive Mensink – CEO, arrived and a heated discussion with the fans started. A bit of calm was obtained and a few of us vented our frustrations at Clive. Of course he held the line that it is financially prudent to cap the Crowds and his reasons why. Another blog will deal with this.
About 30 of walked out of the ground and realized that our free bus back to the pubs had gone. Whilst working out where the cab rank was a BMW M3 pulled up next to us. Out stepped Jason Culina. He came over and shook our hands and apologised for the performance. We had a chat and the remaining kids there all had his autograph and pictures taken with him. What a top bloke. Told us to keep up the good work and to keep coming back and cheering for the team.
We also had a conversation with the FOX Sports commentary team who gave us heaps of Kudos for what we did. They thought the “Storm the Beach” stunt was great.
All in all it was a disappointing night not only for the result but for Football on the Coast. Protesting the way we did was not ideal but one that had to be done in my opinion. And obviously one that is shared by many GCU supporters. A small group of us went to the Youth league game today and relived the moments. It was fun in the stands and an awesome thing to be part of, even if I did chicken out of the run into the stands. It’s been done now, and the most important thing is for the Team to start winning again. We have top of the table Sydney FC next weekend at Skilled Park and you can bet that “The Beach” will be there in full voice to support the boys.
I would also like to thank all those supporters from other clubs who have been on our forum and been very positive in support of our cause.
The ball is in Clive Palmer’s court now, he must listen to the people and “Scrap The Cap”.
Cheers
Tezza
November 01 2009 | A-League and Gold Coast United | 6 Comments »
Will Clive Palmer limit crowds to 5000 at Skilled Park?
“We believe Clive’s financial resources will support the bid – there’s no question about that,” Buckley said.
“More importantly there’s a demonstrated commitment to engage with the Gold Coast community. That’s a very important part of the proposal as well” Courier Mail, June 3, 2008
“the club informed FFA they intend to cap Skilled Park crowds to under 5000 — starting with their next home game against North Queensland Fury on Saturday week.” GC Bulletin, Oct 23, 2009
What a bullshit reaction from a Football Club Owner. This is another in a long line of media statements from Clive Palmer and Mensink to somehow gain media coverage of what to me is the worst marketing campaign by anyone ever.
Why don’t you do what you said 15 months ago, and engage the community with our Football team. It has taken until 2 weeks ago for players to actually get out into the community to something other than some televised media scrum, and now you want to pull the pin.
The blame for poor crowd numbers rests squarely on your shoulders Mr. Palmer. You have done next to nothing to promote the team to the Gold Coast community. You could take a leaf out of Michael Searle’s book on how to successfully market a sporting team to the Gold Coast. Even the new GC17 AFL team has more publicity and they don’t even have a team to watch yet.
It appears to me that you say many things in the media and completely fail to follow them up with actions.
Your attitude to the people of the Gold Coast is utter contempt in my opinion. You waltzed up at the last minute to “Save” the Gold Coast Galaxy bid and expected the Gold Coast to just welcome the “messiah” with open arms and roll up in their thousands and hail King Clive. Well it didn’t happen, and now all I hear from the Club is how tough it is in the market and the government is killing us with the stadium deal, bla bla bla.
You fail to recognize that Football Supporters are very passionate about their team. You are playing with peoples emotions with ridiculous statements in the media and now capping crowds. A big fail Mr. Palmer. Stop your whining and get the football team out into the community every week.
When the franchise was announced I had conversations with a number of friends from other teams regarding your involvement in Football. They were really skeptical and I told them that you would be great for the league. Their concern was that you are more interested in having your logo in front of your Asian buddies at the ACL and that you didn’t care about the A-League. I am beginning to believe them now. Please prove us wrong.
You have managed to assemble a fantastic team who can win the league and your actions have done little to support them by getting crowds to the ground. Whatever happens for the Fury game I certainly hope that the Supporters send a clear message to you and the club as you do not deserve our support which now must be earned.
October 24 2009 | A-League and Gold Coast United | No Comments »
Us fans show our passion for Football in many ways. Most of us also have more than one passion. A mate of mine, Scott, loves Photography. He would love to be accredited by the FFA for our domestic leagues but has not cracked that nut yet.
Just recently on his Photo Journey he combined his 2 passions for a photo shoot. I reckon Scott has a real knack for Photography and his latest project shows his photographic talent and passion for Football.
Cheers
Tezza
August 30 2009 | General | 1 Comment »
Gold Coast United on 60 Minutes
It has been a great few weeks for GCU fans here and abroad. Undefeated after 3 rounds and heading to Newcastle for our next encounter tomorrow at 3pm.
It has been very hectic for the Supporters Club committee getting things up and running, but it is all part of the fun.
Before our first home game a couple of weeks ago a 60 minutes crew joined our Supporters Club at the Dog and Parrot. They were there as part of a story on Clive Palmer, our football club owner. We were filmed singing our chants and then a few of us were interviewed by Charles Wooley. It was a fun afternoon.
That story will be on 60 Minutes this Sunday Night.
Cheers
Tezza
August 29 2009 | A-League and Gold Coast United | No Comments »
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