pjennings
Well-Known Member
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/then-there-were-10-again-gold-coast-to-fold-20100408-rv44.html
MICHAEL COCKERILL
April 9, 2010
.EXCLUSIVE
IN A savage blow for the A-League, Gold Coast United are set to collapse after just one season in existence following the decision of billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer to withdraw his support for the club.
After threatening to pull out a month ago, Palmer - who has been at odds with Football Federation Australia virtually from day one - made good on his pledge on Tuesday, sending written confirmation that he would stop funding the club beyond the end of next week.
Unlike in Townsville, where latent community support convinced the FFA to mount a rescue operation, the governing body is unlikely to step in to try to salvage the situation. That being the case, the A-League will remain a 10-team competition next season, with newcomers Melbourne Heart effectively replacing Gold Coast United.
Palmer did not return calls from the Herald last night, but as recently as last week it is believed he had rejected approaches from former Colchester United owner Jonathan Crisp to assist in revitalising the club. Crisp, an Englishman, has lived on the Gold Coast for a number of years and at one stage had considered forming a consortium to bring professional football to the city. It is believed the FFA was contemplating funding Crisp's involvement with the $1.5 million initially set aside to subsidise Brisbane Roar, who last week knocked back the offer after selling three players - Tommy Oar, Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo - to Dutch club FC Utrecht.
Instead of accepting the offer, Palmer has pulled the plug on the club, and could now face a damages claim from the FFA. Ironically, while Palmer looks to have signed the death warrant for his own club, his wealth could help save another, with one of his companies, Queensland Nickel, believed to be ready to upgrade its deal as major sponsor of North Queensland Fury.
The outspoken businessman, however, remains less than popular within the Gold Coast football community after placing a controversial ''cap'' on crowds by closing three sides of Skilled Park during the first half of the season. Palmer eventually handed over matchday operations to the FFA, who subsequently invested more than $1 million in marketing and promotion without any discernible benefit. Crowds steadfastly remained the lowest in the competition [average 5392] - a lack of community support which seems to have convinced the FFA that the situation on the ground cannot be remedied with a quick fix.
Instead the governing body is likely to allow the club in its current form to fold, and concentrate on building a new broad-based ownership structure for a possible re-entry into the league in 2011-12, when Sydney Rovers are also due to join the competition.
The likely collapse of Gold Coast is not only a massive blow to the league, but a savage setback for one of the most talented playing squads in the competition, headlined by Socceroos star Jason Culina and golden boot winner Shane Smeltz. Most of the players had committed to multi-year contracts, and as recently as last week it is believed some players were given wages in advance.
However, those players look like they're about to be on the market, a black cloud which might have one silver lining. North Queensland are in a hurry to rebuild their squad, while Melbourne Heart still have plenty of vacancies on their roster.
MICHAEL COCKERILL
April 9, 2010
.EXCLUSIVE
IN A savage blow for the A-League, Gold Coast United are set to collapse after just one season in existence following the decision of billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer to withdraw his support for the club.
After threatening to pull out a month ago, Palmer - who has been at odds with Football Federation Australia virtually from day one - made good on his pledge on Tuesday, sending written confirmation that he would stop funding the club beyond the end of next week.
Unlike in Townsville, where latent community support convinced the FFA to mount a rescue operation, the governing body is unlikely to step in to try to salvage the situation. That being the case, the A-League will remain a 10-team competition next season, with newcomers Melbourne Heart effectively replacing Gold Coast United.
Palmer did not return calls from the Herald last night, but as recently as last week it is believed he had rejected approaches from former Colchester United owner Jonathan Crisp to assist in revitalising the club. Crisp, an Englishman, has lived on the Gold Coast for a number of years and at one stage had considered forming a consortium to bring professional football to the city. It is believed the FFA was contemplating funding Crisp's involvement with the $1.5 million initially set aside to subsidise Brisbane Roar, who last week knocked back the offer after selling three players - Tommy Oar, Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo - to Dutch club FC Utrecht.
Instead of accepting the offer, Palmer has pulled the plug on the club, and could now face a damages claim from the FFA. Ironically, while Palmer looks to have signed the death warrant for his own club, his wealth could help save another, with one of his companies, Queensland Nickel, believed to be ready to upgrade its deal as major sponsor of North Queensland Fury.
The outspoken businessman, however, remains less than popular within the Gold Coast football community after placing a controversial ''cap'' on crowds by closing three sides of Skilled Park during the first half of the season. Palmer eventually handed over matchday operations to the FFA, who subsequently invested more than $1 million in marketing and promotion without any discernible benefit. Crowds steadfastly remained the lowest in the competition [average 5392] - a lack of community support which seems to have convinced the FFA that the situation on the ground cannot be remedied with a quick fix.
Instead the governing body is likely to allow the club in its current form to fold, and concentrate on building a new broad-based ownership structure for a possible re-entry into the league in 2011-12, when Sydney Rovers are also due to join the competition.
The likely collapse of Gold Coast is not only a massive blow to the league, but a savage setback for one of the most talented playing squads in the competition, headlined by Socceroos star Jason Culina and golden boot winner Shane Smeltz. Most of the players had committed to multi-year contracts, and as recently as last week it is believed some players were given wages in advance.
However, those players look like they're about to be on the market, a black cloud which might have one silver lining. North Queensland are in a hurry to rebuild their squad, while Melbourne Heart still have plenty of vacancies on their roster.
