Archive for November, 2009
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 »
