Australia NewsTarnished Gold Coast's 'Lack Of Culture' |
EXCLUSIVE: Gold Coast’s decision to only let in 5000 fans to see Robbie Fowler’s Fury tackle United at Skilled Park reflects the club's lack of football culture, say insiders.
The English legend and his in-form Fury take on Gold Coast this Saturday with Fury's season building momentum and Fowler in a hot streak of form.
What's more, with United desperate to atone for last week's 6-0 drubbing in Wellington, the game could have attracted a record crowd, after the last clash brought in a season high of 7526 to Skilled Park.
The match looms as an enticing game for fans. But by limiting the numbers at the stadium to 5000 - in an effort to cut costs and minimise losses - it has disenfranchised the club's supporter base and raised the ire of the FFA.
A number of Gold Coast football insiders who have had dealings with the club since its creation have spoken to au.fourfourtwo.com about their concerns over the club's direction.
And while reluctant to speak publicly, privately they have been disappointed with the attitude of the club (one citing "arrogance") and their inability to understand what it takes to build a new A-League franchise.
One insider who has had dealings with the club and is connected with Gold Coast's local football scene, tells au.fourfourtwo.com that the cap decision speaks of a wider cultural issue at the top of the club.
"It's the dynamics of having a billionaire that has caused that problem," he said. "He's flying the team around and it's unrealistic. Would you have your team thinking they're better than what they are?
"The first thing I'd be doing is flying them on commercial planes to away games like everyone else. That's where you save money. Not on capping crowds.
"It was a stupid idea from the start. It's not the right dynamics, flying players in your own jet. They're not Barcelona."
The insider added that the dynamic of a billionaire owner has potentially a filter down effect on staff.
"When you have a billionaire owner, you're not working hard enough," he said. "You don't care.
"The number one thing is ticket prices. They ###ed it up with that. This is Queensland, it's different up here. The market's very different.
"You have to work hard [to win them over].They're not going to pay $30 for a ticket and they're not going to pay $18 for children.
"That put a bad taste in people's mouths. And now they've dropped the children's prices to $5 [only to raise them to $15 again yesterday]. They ####kin' missed the boat. Kids should always be free; parents will come along.
"Compare Gold Coast with Melbourne Victory and what they do in their market place. They worked so hard in the first two years to get that grassroots support."
The insider added: "The one thing you can't fake in football is understanding football.
"It doesn't matter how much money you've got... They're not football people like you and me. It doesn't burn inside their heart. It doesn't trickle down into their veins.
"We're more passionate than what they'll ever be about football."
Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Tarnished Gold Coast's 'Lack Of Culture'"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.
