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Gold Coast begin big sell |
Gold Coast begin big sell | 30.09.2008 | |
THEY haven`t played a game yet but Gold Coast United are "Queensland`s Premier Football Club" - just ask them.Or read their brochure.
The A-League newcomers will launch a bold recruitment campaign Wednesday when they send a glossy brochure selling all things Gold Coast to every player in the competition.
And according to them there is plenty to sell - billionaire owner, private jets, life in “Australia`s playground” to name a few.
It`s enough to prick the ears of any budding player - at least cashed up owner Clive Palmer thinks so.
“We all know the salary cap keeps the teams even but the Gold Coast gives us a great advantage. If you are a young guy where else would you rather be in Australia?” Palmer said.
“That`s our message. If all you A-League players are thinking about how tough the game has been and how you are not being appreciated at your club, you can come up here and we will appreciate you and give you a great lifestyle.”
Outspoken Gold Coast head coach Miron Bleiberg said the brochure had already been sent to overseas players and had “110 per cent success”.
There was proof Tuesday with Palmer unveiling the club`s first official signing, former Italian Serie A keeper Jess Vanstrattan.
“I can tell you that a lot of talented players are coming to the Gold Coast, a lot of current internationals and ex-internationals, current first-grade players in Europe and everywhere will be here next year,” Palmer said.
“(But) we are 12 months away to the launch. I`d say we`ve got another half a dozen players at the moment which we could announce but we won`t. We want to build up to a crescendo before we have our big bang next year.”
Titled “Gold Coast United - Queensland`s Premier Football Club”, it is easy to see how the brochure was a hit after being unveiled to the media by Palmer.
“People who know me and know what I do will tell you I don`t get involved in many things that aren`t successful and our plan is to make Gold Coast United the top club in Australia,” Palmer writes.
“We only have such an attitude because all of us involved at Gold Coast United have, in our various careers, been winners.”
The brochure covers everything from life at “Australia`s playground” and the “entertainment capital of Australia” to playing at “Gold Coast`s field of dreams” Skilled Park.
Then there`s United`s “X-factor” - Palmer`s “personal fleet of aircraft” - three passenger jets staffed by two full-time flight crews.
“The benefits of travelling in this manner could be the difference between winning and losing,” it says in the brochure.
Palmer - Queensland`s richest man - also announced an alliance with Chinese Super League Club Beijing Guoan FC that ensured United`s first game will be played at the Beijing OIympic centrepiece the Bird`s Nest, in June next year.
Beijing Guoan features Chinese internationals, but even they would battle to crack United`s line-up according to Palmer.
A-League clubs receive salary cap exemptions for guest players on short-term contracts and one marquee player.
“We may use (Beijing Guoan) for guest players, they have key Chinese nationals. But it`s going to be very hard to get into the Gold Coast A-League team because it is choc-o-block full of people with a lot of talent,” Palmer said.
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