No Clive No Worries For GC A-League Bid

Gold Coast United are confident the sins of the past won't be repeated if they are granted a spot in an expanded A-League.

Six years after the Clive Palmer-founded club was booted from the competition, United confirmed their intention to reapply for a licence as the A-League looks to add two new teams in the 2019-20 season.

United were revived last year by Sports Gold Coast, a philanthropic group of local business identities who are seeking to boost the status of sport in the region by connecting sponsors and financial backers to clubs.

Among Sports Gold Coast's goals are the establishment of a Big Bash League franchise and bringing the America's Cup to the tourist strip.

United play in Queensland's NPL but are seeking a return to the top tier and chairman Danny Maher says there's no better time to do so than in the afterglow of the Commonwealth Games.

"The timing is perfect," said Maher, a tech entrepreneur and the founder of software company Opmantek.

"We are in the light of the Commonwealth Games - the biggest event to come to this city and the eyes of the sporting world are on us.

"We put years of work in to bringing back Gold Coast United ... however, we have always said our goal was to bring the www xxx prno A-League back to the Gold Coast. If you have any queries relating to the place and how to use xxx porn free videos, you can get in touch with us at our own web site. "

United already have what many other expansion bidders don't - a boutique home venue in Cbus Super Stadium.

It's understood Gold Coast City Council is seeking to take over the management rights to the stadium, which would allow them to offer much cheaper rent to local teams and make an A-League team more financially feasible.

Maher said United's new grassroots-focused model has given them a genuine community connection - something the club never had during the Palmer era.

"We spent a lot of money and a lot of years getting the structure and vision right," he said.

"We have been totally invested in doing things the right way and being truly Gold Coast.

"We have everything in place."

The only thing missing is a major investor but the hope is Sports Gold Coast - chaired by Geoff Smith, Palmer's former lawyer - can be the conduit.

"For a successful A-League bid we are going to need significant support and I urge business to step forward," Smith said.

Advertisement