A meeting of supporters and potential investors has Gold Coast United players and staff clinging to hope the team could remain in the A-League next season.
Gold Coast United interim coach Mike Mulvey was sketchy about the specifics of the meeting, to be held at Griffith University on Wednesday night but said a number of players planned to attend to show their support.
The club is being run under the control of Football Federation Australia for the remainder of the season after mining magnate Clive Palmer was stripped of his licence last week.
FFA has remained coy over whether it will seek new investors for next season and persist with a team on the Gold Coast but Mulvey and the players are hoping there may still be a future for the team.
United captain Michael Thwaite will attend the meeting and said it could be a big step in saving the club.
“I hear there are some businessmen out there putting some big money on the table already … there needs to be a professional soccer team on the Gold Coast because it’s such a lovely city and the players want to be here,” Thwaite said.
Mulvey said he was unsure of who would be attending the meeting but called for potential investors to express their interest.
“I don’t mix in millionaire’s row so I haven’t heard from anybody,” he told reporters after training on Wednesday.
“But you know what, they need to act quickly because the vultures are already circling.
“… I’m a football man, I love the game and I think it’s important we give a message to anybody that’s interested in investing in the club that there’s a vibrant group of young professionals here who need somewhere to be nurtured and developed.
“We’ve proven what we can do on the field and I think if anybody is prepared to back the team they’ve got the nucleus of a squad.”
Thwaite said he would happily stay on the Gold Coast, providing their was some long-term certainty for the club.
“With another little one (baby) coming on the way … that’s definitely an advantage but if it’s only going to be a one year thing to avoid going to nine teams for the western Sydney franchise to come in the following year, I don’t think it’s the right option for me,” Thwaite said.
Young defender Zac Anderson said despite a difficult fortnight he was staying positive about the club staying around next season.
“I’m definitely keen to go along tonight and show my support … I’ve heard a few rumours but I want to stay out of that and just concentrate on the next couple of games,” said Anderson, who received an Olyroos call-up on Wednesday.
“I’m very positive about Gold Coast being around next year.
“I want it to be around, I love the Gold Coast, I want to play football on the Gold Coast, but at the end of the day we’ll wait and see.”
