Gold Coast Utd: Why No Fans?

[bensomerford]

Gday, I'm curious to hear from people from the Gold Coast region about the new a-league club Gold Coast United. united arent getting good crowds and i was wondering if i could hear anything from people from the region on why? ie. i'd love to hear anyone's personal reasons for not going.

[DIEHARD]

"The difference between us and them (Titans) is that we will win the premiership and they probably never will,'' he chided.

I have a very long memory.

[bensomerford]

haha, fair call DIEHARD

Im curious about Titans fans, cos some of the talk from GCU fans is that Skilled Park is too hard to get to by public transport(only trains via hinterland or u need to catch 2-3 buses) and there's no parking available. How do TItans fans get to games?

[Dragons]

haha, fair call DIEHARD

Im curious about Titans fans, cos some of the talk from GCU fans is that Skilled Park is too hard to get to by public transport(only trains via hinterland or u need to catch 2-3 buses) and there's no parking available. How do TItans fans get to games?

No matter how they have tried over the years. This type of football has never taken off with Aussies. I've coached it and watched it but it just dosen't have the impact as league, rugby and gAyFL.
Even though they have had strong juniors they seem to leave or change to other sports.

[titanstattman]

I have a very long memory.

Yes yes i so remember that..............


I think that comment hurt alot of gold coast fans...

And about the transport come on if 17k plus fans can do it 12 times a year why cant 4k plus fans..

As far as i see it GCU wats to get numbers well heres a thought.

1. Get the team out in the public eye only time we hear abot the team is 2days b4 a home game.. They do nothing in the commutiy to get fans...

2. Stop wingeing about every little thing... If its not the cost it transport nd if its not that its sumthing bad about the Titans (u will never get fans by writing the titans off)..

3. Just remember if the titans didnt come along there would never be a GCU team right now.. So stop pissing on the fans nd the team that help u get a foot in the door.......

P.S. This is too all GCU fans.....

[DIEHARD]

I don't think transport is the issue. It doesn't effect rugby league fans and I think most people find the transport pretty good. The main gripe would be the massive congestion at the train station after the game, this disapates very fast, so it is short term pain. But with soccer, this wouldn't happen.

[dee13]

I spoke to someone the other day whos children play and they said it was far too expensive.

My personal opinion is that the Gold Coast does not have a high concentration of ethnic communities like other states, eg, Sydney and Melbourne do. If you go to a game in Sydney or Melbourne the stands are full of European and Middle Eastern fans. These fans come from countries who are raised on Soccer, pretty much like Aussies and Kiwis are raised on the Rugby codes and AFL. The Gold Coast comprise of mainly Australians, Kiwis and Japanese.

Clive Palmer thought he could walk straight up and do what the Titans are doing (succeeding). The Titans put in alot of leg work in the preceeding seasons to build a fan base and keep people interested by holding pre season games and NRL premiership games back in 2005 and 2006. They are out in the community and they are making a difference. People appreciate that and will pay back in loyalty.

Clive Palmer, It will take alot more than a big back account to get a loyal fan base. You can't just walk in with a bottomless cheque book and think because you have the money, You will be successful. Ohh yeah... Then there is that blatant waste of money buying that boat for your daughter. My immediate thought was "What a tosser". That money could have been greatly used in the community and given the club a great set up for a charity fund raising organisation.

At the end of the day $$$$$$ does not nessesarily buy you success.

[Capital_Shark]

Soccer only works if there is nothing better to do, obviously making the Gold Coast a shocker of a place to host soccer given the wide range of better stuff to do. Even outside the party capital of Australia though, unless grass stops growing and they invent instant dry paint, soccer will always struggle.

I didn't know anything about the soccer mob trying to make a name for themselves by ragging on the Titans but I'd suggest that isn't the smartest move. Just because soccer is the World game doesn't mean its entitled to any preferential treatment in this Country. How far do you think the Storm would get if they went around taking the piss out of Geelong and the AFL? League owns the Gold Coast and if soccer wants a sniff they need to know their place and accept it. They could do much worse than to ride the coat tails of the Titans.

[DIEHARD]

That's it Cap, it never pays to kick up dirt on people and sports. I never want rugby league to take that tactic, especially in Melbourne. Unite and conquer, that is my moto.

I think there is a clear contrast between GCU and the Titans. The GCU aspire to be some sort of glamourpuss club, while to me the Titans are humble, but very successful. The local, honest kid, who done good. It's very appealing to think about how far the Gold Coast Titans organisation has come and the massive challenges it overcame.

I don't know much about soccer TBH. And don't mean to piss off their fans, I admire what they are doing.

[DIEHARD]

Yea the atmosphere at the Final between the Gold Coast and Brisbane was just like a library.

The Titans have to develop their own style of atmosphere and that takes time. I've seen vast improvement in that department in the last half of 2009. It's just going to continue to get better.

[kwigibo]

All I can say is I'm glad I missed today's game. 0-6

[TITAN PETE]

Yea the atmosphere at the Final between the Gold Coast and Brisbane was just like a library.

Very good Brad

[dee13]

own [/I]style of atmosphere and that takes time. I've seen vast improvement in that department in the last half of 2009. It's just going to continue to get better.

It will always be hard for us to develop our own atmosphere.

And this is why.... The Gold Coast is a very transient population. A majority of its growing population are not from here. They are families and individuals looking for a better life from other states, They are elderly retirees, They are overseas students and visitors. Of the people who have moved here from interstate, they already follow a team. This is why alot of away teams get such a great supporter base on the Coast. Have a look at the crowds at Skilled, its 50/50 home team and away team support. Whilst we are cheering the opposition fans aren't and visa versa.

If you go to Melbourne, Suncorp, Dairy Farmers, Brooky or Kogarah the fan base is 90/10 in the home team favour. They have had decades of support and fan base building.

I think that you guys are doing a fantastic job in creating atmosphere.

[titanstattman]

GOLD Coast united owner Clive Palmer is expected to face Football Federation Australia over reports the club is planning to cap ticket sales for home games to save money.

Football website au.fourfourtwo.com reports that Gold Coast United have confirmed they will cap crowds at 5000 per game, leaving three-quarters of Skilled Park empty.

They say the move has led FFA to question the verity of Gold Coast's original franchise bid, which did not include the ticket capping scheme.

The cap would eliminate cheaper seats with prices now starting at $42 for an adult, $24.95 for juniors and $116 for the cheapest family ticket, plus the $4.95 booking fee.

Public transport would no longer be included in the ticket price and members would be moved from their original seats, thereby eliminating home end support.

Gold Coast United are under added pressure to perform when they face North Queensland Fury at home this weekend after a 6-0 thumping from bottom side Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

www.goldcoast.com.au

Well thats a great way to get fans....... Sorry i know ur a memember but the house is full at 5000 nd u cant get in....

[shamus]

Not only is there a 'cap'. As Doug said in another thread if you are a member (me) and I am the 5001st person to show up I ain't getting in! Not that they are going to get anywhere near 5000 now with these prices. It gets worse for the 'commuters'. A lot of GCU fans are ex Roar fans and live in the Brisbane area. Some are not paid up members but just turn up to the game so instead of $29 and free travel it is now $42 and $23 return train fare.

$29 versus $65. Way to go Clive you dipstick!

Oh....the game will finish close to 10pm and as there are no 'extra' trains you either need to leave before the end of the game to catch the 9:53 or wait an hour and catch the 10:53....Just gets better for the commuters.