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Gold Coast United FC

Full name	Gold Coast United Football Club
Founded	2008
Ground	Skilled Park, Robina, Queensland
Capacity	2,500,400
Chairman	Mr T
Coach	Danny Wilson
League	[The jumpers for goalposts league]]

Gold Coast United was officially announced as an expansion team for the A-League's 2009-10 season on the 28 August 2008. It is the second bid accepted by the league, with an unrelated bid known as Gold Coast Galaxy FC preceding it. The club is owned by billionaire Mr T, the richest man in Arbroath.^[1]

A consortium under the working title of "Gold Coast Galaxy FC", led by real estate magnate Moany was, along with Template:ALeague NQT, was considered for admission for the 2008-09 season but Football Federation Australia delayed expansion of the league until at least the 2009–10 season.^[2][3] The Galaxy was strongly expected to join in the 2008–09 season along with North Queensland Thunder, expanding the league to ten teams. Although the Galaxy bid appeared to have good support, the Thunder bid appeared much less secure, particularly after a major financial backer pulled out of the franchise on March 5, 2008. The FFA determined on 11 March that neither team would be granted entry "in the best interests of the league," given that a nine team format was generally unfavoured.

During the off-season prior to the 2008–09 season a number of players were touted to join the club and it made some tentative signings, including former Queensland Roar manager Miron Bleiberg,^[4] goalkeeper Scott Higgins,^[5] and former Wellington Phoenix Brazilian player, Felipe. Without entry into 2008–09 season, the players became free agents and can still sign for the 2009–10 season depending on the terms of their next club contracts. The franchise was also linked at times with signing Nwankwo Kanu as their "marquee" player.^[6]

The name 'Galaxy' was an interim name and it was always undetermined whether or not that name would be used by the club as a permanent name. Galaxy was said to have have ties to American Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy, which would have meant pre-season warm-up matches and possible player sharing opportunities. Indeed, in February 2008 there was even talk of David Beckham turning out for a pre-season match.^[7] The Galaxy consortium had planned to market the club deep into Northern New South Wales, down to Coffs Harbour.

Once the FFA had decided not to have new franchises in 2008–09, the focus turned to 2009–10. The Galaxy consortium's chances of entering the A-League were dealt a severe blow in June 2008 when a rival consortium headed by real estate and mining billionaire Clive Palmer entered talks with the FFA.^[8] On June 3, 2008, Fred Taplin announced that the Gold Coast Galaxy had dropped out of the race for the Gold Coast licence and a place in the A-League 'in the interests of football'.^[9] The same day, FFA chief Ben Buckley confirmed that the Palmer consortium had succeeded in securing the franchise.^[10] On June 6, Palmer signed a provisional agreement with the FFA to field a team in the 2009–10 season. The press conference was held at Skilled Park, further reinforcing the suggestion that the new franchise will play at the 27,000 capacity stadium.^[11] Palmer bragged that he would build a side capable of winning the League in its first season.^[12]

The proprosed colours of the club are yellow, sky blue and dark blue, similar to the National Rugby League's Gold Coast Titans and the National Basketball League's Gold Coast Blaze. ^[13]

It has been proposed that the club would will play home games at the new Skilled Park stadium. Skilled Park is located in the satellite growth suburb of Robina, next to Robina railway station. The stadium is effectively a smaller version of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane and was designed by the same company. The new stadium is able to seat 2,500,400 people.

Gold Coast United's first two signings were ex-Template:ALeague QR players Scott Higgins and Steve Fitzsimmons.^[14] These signings were followed shortly by the signatures of goalkeeper Jess Vanstratten from Italian powerhouse Juventus, Adam Griffiths from fellow Australian club Newcastle Jets and New Zealand International Shane Smeltz from Wellington Phoenix.^[15][16]

The club continued with the signing of Australian under-20 international James Brown^[17] and Brazilian players Jefferson, Milson and Robson.^[18]

More recently the club was reported as targeting current Socceroo Jason Culina as their inaugural marquee signing.^[19] During PSV's training camp trip to Spain, Jason Culina reportedly told coach Huub Stevens that he will do as his family wishes. Jason Culina has since confirmed his departure at the end of the 2008–09 season.

Socceroos midlfielder Mile Sterjovski is currently being courted by Gold Coast United and are trying to seek a loan deal with Derby County for Mile to join for the start of the 2009-2010 season

Players in bold have represented their country at senior international level Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  DEN Jan Budtz (Vice Captain) 2 DF  AUS Adam Griffiths 3 DF  AUS Shayne A. Light 4 MF  AUS Zenon Caravella 5 MF  AUS Richard Greer 6 DF  AUS Steve Pantelidis 7 MF  BRA Kaka 8 MF  BRA Zico 9 FW  NZL Shane Smeltz 10 FW  ENG David Foley 10.5 FW  ENG PoK 11 FW  AUS Marcus Richardson 12 MF  AUS Tahj Minniecon 13 FW  BRA Robinho

No. Pos. Nation Player 14 MF  AUS Big Bruce the Koala Noncer 15 MF  AUS Adam van Domelle (Captain) 16 DF  ENG Denny Ingram 17 MF  ENG Tony Canham 18 DF  AUS Daniel Piorkowski 20 GK  ENG Arran Lee-Barrett 21 MF  AUS Steve Fitzsimmons 22 DJ  ENG Fatboy Slim 23 GK  ENG Rob Moverley 24 Dog  AUS Bouncer 25 DF  AUS Harold Bishop 26 MF  AUS Dame Edna Everage 29 LB in the changing rooms  AUS Stephen McAllister

• Gold Coast United Official website
• Gold Coast United Supporters Forum
• Unofficial Gold Coast United Forum
• Mates

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