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.
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.
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.
With a 3-1 win in our first ever Derby in Brisbane and then a 5-0 win over fellow newcomers, NQ Fury, we are so far undefeated with 25 matches remaining. Can we go the distance??
A big ask in any competition. I don’t know what Professor Clive was smoking at the time but the realist in me says we will loose at some stage this season.
However, until that time comes
Were Gold Coast United
We’ll never be defeated
Were Gold Coast United
We’ll never be defeated
This is the first Club side I have supported passionately. It is like I have a new lease on life. New friends with the same passion. A new club with big ambition, and a club with a great team to follow.
I thought our first ever home game was a great hit out for the Home End Supporters. We sang our lungs our from start to finish. That was after we warmed up 4 hours earlier for our interview with 60 Minutes.
A fantastic day and night was had by all.
The Gold Coast needs to get out there and support our new team. 7500 people was a little underdone, but it was our first ever game.
I have been a football fan for as long as I can remember. Mostly of the National team as it was hard for me to get excited about the NSL. I understand how a lot of people did, but living in the Sutherland Shire i just did not get into it.
Although I went to a sprinkling of Socceroo matches over my time I never felt like a FAN until I attended November 16, 2005 at Sydney’s Homebush Bay Olympic Stadium. I came of age so to speak, as a FAN. And I was in my early 40′s by then.
It was cemented in Germany at the World Cup. I met so many like minded Aussies I wondered what rock I had been hiding under for the past 40 years. I have written a number of posts here about those people and my times at various matches since.
I didn’t think I would get that feeling again, that first time feeling. I went to the Roars first home A-League match, but living 110km away and not knowing the history of them I just never got into them. I supported them just so I was supporting the A-League.
Well, last Saturday Night it happened again. My lovely wife and I attended the first ever A-League match for the Gold Coast United A-League team. Not only did I do that but I have been part of the first ever Gold Coast United Supporters Club and am on the committee.
Again, I have met some great people through this, but most importantly we as a group watched history unfold in front of our eyes (mine were a bit bleary). It was just as exciting as watching Australia make the World Cup for the first time in 32 years. They both have their own unique significance in my eyes, and something I will never forget,(thanks to veronica for filling in the gaps).
History shows that GCU won the game 3-1. But just as important the team showed they mean business. And just as important again, we the fans showed each other how much it meant to us. We sung loud and proud from the moment we walked down Caxton Street until after the final whistle. Michael Thwaite our central defender, had this to say today.
“It was brilliant to hear them out-chanting the Roar fans even though they were outnumbered and that’s a great sign for the potential atmosphere at Skilled Park. They really made themselves heard which is what you want from your fans.”
Strong Fans mean a Strong Club and Strong Clubs mean a Strong A-League. Get out there people and support your club wherever that may be.
Well, the season has started tonight. Half time at Etihad Stadium and the defending champions are 2-0 down. I hope the Victory turn it around as I have tipped them by 2 goals.
This season is shaping up to be the best yet. 2 new teams and a host of current Socceroos coming back to Australia and play in the A-League.
Melbourne will be strong again this year (although the first half tonight does not indicate that) as they always are. Sydney have been very quite in their build up with their new coach and I expect them to be very strong. CCM and the Jets will be a challenge for all and sundry but totally unpredictable in my books. Adelaide and Brisbane will more than likely press for the championship but come up short as always.
Perth Glory have had a good off season and seem to have bought very well. They were very exciting at the end of last season and I am thinking they will be the dark horse of the comp. The Phoenix don’t seem to have done much in the off season and will continue to struggle especially since their star striker is now with the NEW Gold Coast United. The Fur have some good players on paper, especially Robbie Fowler. But their preseason has been very ordinary and Fowler has spent most of his time on the sidelines injured. If their paper team can fire, expect some good results.
That leaves us with Gold Coast United, my team. We have a fantastic squad led by current Socceroo, Jason Culina. Watching him in preseason has been a pleasure. He is hardly ever dispossessed, and never gave a stray pass. We have a real strength through the centre of the park with Bas Van Der Brink, Thwaite and Griffiths behind Jason and then Smeltz and Porter up front. Our Brazillians look fantastic on the ball and Adama trarore will be a crowd favorite with his blistering runs down the left flank. Throw Taj Minnecon into teh mix and we have a well balanced side that will not be embarrassed.
I know Clive reckons we are going to go through undefeated but there are 27 matches this season and I am not going to make such a prediction. I will however predict that GCU will be in the finals come February.
I am pumped for this season like I was for season 1, except I have a local team to support this time. We have formed our Supporters Club, and we are busing it to Brisbane on Saturday for our first ever league match.
Game was not the best performance by either team, IMO. GCU had a good first half with about 4 or 5 chances and CCM about 3 chances. 0-0 at half time. CCM came out all guns blazing in the second half. Scored from a set piece and then from open play, poor defense from GCU. 2-0 CCM.
A ridiculous red card for Thwaite early in the second half saw GCU down to 10 men in the 48th minute. Finally GCU had a result from all their forays forward and Adama Trarore slotted one past Vukovic in the 80th minute. Then in the 91st minute, Smeltz popped up at a cross and headed one home for a 2-2 result.
I think all the calls to Vukovic about Beijing got to him as he was really frustrated by the end of the match and even pushed one of his own players. “Did you go to Beijing, Nooo, Nooo” Great stuff by the 12 GCU Home bay supporters who bothered to turn up.
With 7 players unable to be selected I think that GCU showed good character to come back from 2-0 down to a consistent performer from the A-League. One thing is for sure, we will not be embarrassed this coming season.
One final trial game against the Glory next Saturday then we wait until August 8th for our first ever match in the A-League against the team who will be our biggest rivals, Brisbane Roar. Suncorp here we come.
Our supporters club is gaining momentum despite last nights poor effort. We are having a meeting to vote in an executive on Monday August 3rd, Dog and Parrot, Robina, 7pm.
A mate of mine, and owner of www.Kickoff.com.au, Scott Weigand, has written an article on why we should get the World Cup here in Australia. I have reproduced it here as I think it is a great article and sums up pretty well why Australia should get it.
The rumours are done and dusted – Australia is officially bidding for either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Australia via the FFA and the Australian Federal Government have officially stated their intention to host what would be Asian confederations second ever world cup tournament following on from the 2002 tournament held by joint hosts Japan and South Korea.
It would also represent the only realistic opportunity for the world to knock on Oceania’s doorstep with New Zealand just a short distance away.
However, that’s the easy part. Now the war for the hearts and minds of FIFA’s 24 man executive committee takes place amongst such global heavyweights as England, Russia and the United States, not to mention the likes of Japan, Indonesia and Spain/Portugal’s joint bid.
So does Australia have a realistic chance? You bet!
True, in perhaps typical fashion we will be the underdogs but there are 10 main reasons why the world cup should be brought to our shores:
1: Australia has a proven track record in hosting major international events:
The Sydney 2000 Olympic games are still arguably the best to date, the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games to name a few.
2: Australia is a safe and desirable destination:
Australia represents one of the safest and most desirable destinations for international travellers and the World Cup would bring record numbers of international guests particularly from locations such as England and Japan.
3: Australia’s relative wealth:
Between the Federal and state Governments and business enterprise there is no doubt of Australia’s ability to upgrade existing stadiums and develop new stadiums as well as surrounding infrastructure requirements including transport and accommodation.
4: An emerging footballing superpower:
True football is not the major sport in Australia and it is in the unique position of having to compete with 3 other football codes, however, football is seeing record numbers of growth both in a grass roots level and interest level including corporate sponsorship. The Socceroos are now a top 20 ranked country and the introduction of the A-League, National Youth League and developmental programs for players and coaches means that the next generation of Australian players have a better chance of gracing the worlds top leagues and clubs.
5: Legacy for Australian football:
The current trends of growth of football in Australia will be exponentially greater given the legacy hosting a world cup would provide for Australia. To this day, many Australian’s do not realise the sheer size and gravity of the world cup and having a world cup in Australia would capture the imagination of the youth who hopefully turn to football as a sport of choice.
6: Sporting Culture
Australia truly is one of the worlds great melting pot of sports, in the Olympics we punch well above our weight in terms of population base and are always strong in the traditional sports of rugby, cricket and netball.
7: TV exposure:
Asia, by far the worlds biggest population base and the worlds fastest growing football continent sits within a comfortable time zone for Asian TV audiences with important markets such as China and Japan able to watch games at decent timeslots.
8: Volunteer spirit:
The Sydney 2000 Olympic games clearly demonstrated that locals are only to happy to lend their valuable time and energy to assisting making major events a success both from a logistical point of view and assisting international and interstate guests.
9: Multicultural Australia:
More so that most places on earth, Australia truly is a melting pot of global cultures living in harmony regardless of race or religion. A FIFA World Cup would bring much colour and excitement to local communities who would not only support Australia but have a soft spot for their homelands.
10: A New Frontier:
Unlike several other bidding nations Australia represents a new frontier for football. Australia has never hosted the FIFA World Cup before, and Asia only once. A local world cup would grow the game not only in Australia but throughout Asia and would arguably provide a bigger impact than mature markets such as Europe. Australia is also the only continent to never have hosted a world cup finals.
Naturally, each and every bidder will push their case for why they are more deserving of hosting a world cup than Australia, but these are compelling arguments. Thankfully we have a wily, persuasive and powerful man at the wheel in Frank Lowy, a man who has built an empire from scratch and in many ways is trying to do the same for football which just a few short years ago was more or less in ruins.
Recently Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd visited FIFA President Sepp Blatter at FIFA headquaters in Zurich to push Australia’s case for hosting the world cup. Whilst this is many ways is little more than a token gesture is does demonstrate to the powers that be that Australian’s are backing the FFA’s bid right to the top.
So that leads me to my final point…
What can we do, the football punter to help maintain the interest and demonstrate we are deserving. Firstly, I would strongly encourage everyone to sign up to the Official Bidding website at: AUSTRALIA 2018-2022
Tell everyone to sign up, even “non-football” people, because a world cup would ultimately benefit all Australian’s not just through sport but it would provide a major boost to the Australian economy and improve infrastructure.
Also, get behind football wherever possible. Attend as many A-League and Socceroos matches as possible and encourage people to go. Ultimately, the more interest we maintain in the sport the better our chance to win.
The match against Fulham on Wednesday night was a great first hit out for the team and supporters at a fully open stadium.
From a supporters point of view the home end was disjointed with pockets of people all over the place. Trying different chants and getting an atmosphere was difficult. But hey, it was our first go.
What we need are a core group of die hard supporters who want to STAND UNITED in the home bay week in week out creating that atmosphere. As Australians this is not a natural thing to do, as we have been conditioned to think that it is only overseas Football nations who can show massive support.
The introduction of the A-League as NEW Football in this country has squashed that idea. All the A-League clubs have very active supporter groups who to varying degrees STAND and sing in the Northern Home ends at their respective grounds. There is plenty of banter between rival supporter groups both at the grounds, in the pubs and on various forums and social media networks.
Now it our turn here on the Gold Coast to introduce a HOME END to the wider Gold Coast community and GCU FC and give them a supporter group they can be proud of.
We have started to get together as a group to form a committee but we need members. As a start go to our entry page and register your details as a Supporter. This is free.
What a great night. A 2 – 1 victory over Fulham FC from the English Premier League. Granted it is their first match since last season, but GCU dominated the play for the majority of the match. I would love to see the stats.
After a great start we gave away a free kick about 25m out and Danny Murphy hit a well placed shot over the Van Stratten to go 1-0 up.
Later in the half we were robbed of a blatant penalty when a defender hand balled what was a definite goal and neither the ref or assistant saw anything. Then Porter missed a 1 on 1 chance with Schwartzer who saved it.
Some changes at half time saw Taj Minnecon come on and the tempo if the game changed for the better. We were more attacking. Finally the goal came from Taj in about the 79th minute.
Then Golden Boot himself, Shane Smeltz, slotted one home.
There were some hard hits and a few Yellow cards given to Fulham and I think only 1 to GCU.
We now play some local club tea,s on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday before heading back to Skilled Park on Sat 18th to face CCM. That will be a real test against a proven A-League team.
If you are on the Gold Coast, come along and join in a very exciting time. Join the forum and Supporters Club and Stand United.
