Tough Times for Australia's A-League

As if North Queensland FC's recent ownership woes haven't given Football Federation Australia enough headaches in recent weeks, Australia's fledgling A-League may yet further be rocked by the sad revelation that Gold Coast United are set to fold after only one season of football. If that's the case, then A-League fans needn't bother about waiting for an anticipated 30-round season at all.

The collapse of the South-East Queensland club will deal a massive blow to the credibility of the league, and indeed may dissuade members of the business community from investing in football, particularly in targeted regional expansion areas such as Tasmania and Wollongong. The collapse of the Gold Coast would effectively take the FFA back to the drawing board in terms of expansion, and may make the organisation less willing to hand out licences to regional areas which hold a key stake in the future growth of the A-League.

I think that a stable, well-supported Gold Coast side would be a fabulous addition to the A-League, however the approach of the club in terms of community engagement and supporter base building has, from an outsider's view at least, been an utter failure. It may well be a simple case of not too many people on the Gold Coast particularly caring about football, however I find it hard to believe that there aren't enough fans in this rapidly growing area to average somewhere around 10,000 spectators per game.

Expanding into previously unchartered territory, at least at national league level, was never going to be easy for football in Australia. What is perhaps most disappointing about the Gold Coast's failure is billionaire owner Clive Palmer's attitude to the whole process, with him seemingly choosing to cut his losses and run without appreciating the fact that building a stable club on the Gold Coast may take years, but perhaps more importantly - millions of his cash.

So, if indeed we bid goodbye to Gold Coast United, what will they be remembered for? Apart from having the embarassing distinction of lasting a season less than even the disastrous New Zealand Knights, they certainly won't be remembered for their pulling power after drawing record low crowds all season. Things started relatively positively: a billionaire owner, a great rectangular stadium, and managing to lure back established Australian international Jason Culina on a million dollar a year deal, as well as a whole host of talent including Joel Porter, Bas Van Den Brink, and young Adama Traore from the Ivory Coast. Indeed, many experts tipped Gold Coast to challenge for the A-League title, however erratic form throughout the season put bed to that dream.

The Gold Coast eventually finished a respectable 3rd, before succumbing to 6th-placed Newcastle in a home final in front of another disappointing crowd. Their National Youth League side, however, went on to win the championship in what may sadly be the only piece of silverware the club ever takes.

With the potential loss of the Gold Coast, and the inclusion of yet another expansion side Melbourne Heart, next year's A-League may look like this: Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, North Queensland FC, Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix.