ID :
154170
Tue, 12/21/2010 - 04:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/154170
The shortlink copeid
Skilled Park a disgrace, says Palmer
Gold Coast United's billionaire owner Clive Palmer has taken aim at Stadiums
Queensland, saying it was a "disgrace" that he was charged over $100,000 a game to
use Skilled Park, only to be provided a surface of inferior quality.
Palmer on Monday remained undecided on whether to again offer free entry to the
rescheduled clash with Central Coast after Sunday's match was called off in the 20th
minute due to a water-logged pitch.
The abandoned game not only created a major headache for the A-League as they
juggled an already congested season, it also raised serious questions about Skilled
Park's maintenance.
Miffed United officials are expected to hold talks with Stadiums Queensland - who
manage Skilled Park for the state government - over the pitch's condition.
Palmer had a crack at the pitch on Monday as he saluted the 10,146 brave souls who
snapped up free tickets and endured Sunday's saturated Skilled Park clash.
"We are all very disappointed that the game had to be abandoned due to the state of
the pitch," he said.
"It is such a shame that the supporters didn't get to see how good the team is and
how committed they were to putting on a good show and winning the match."
But Palmer added: "It was a great success in the sense that we had over 23,000
tickets snapped up and over 10,000 people in the stadium in what were appalling
weather conditions.
"I want to thank everyone who took the trouble to come to the game yesterday.
"You braved the horrible weather and came to the match regardless so you could give
your support to your team."
United coach Miron Bleiberg said there was "no argument" that Skilled Park was the
A-League's worst surface despite paying "five star" rental charges.
"When you are at a budget hotel you don't pay more than you pay at the Hilton,"
Bleiberg said.
The patchy surface was slammed by both sides after the abandoned game, with Gold
Coast striker Joel Porter claiming the "horrendous" pitch contributed to the match
being called off.
"There was a bit of grass here and there, where there wasn't grass was just a puddle
- it was pretty terrible," Porter said.
The A-League is yet to reschedule the game but Bleiberg pleaded for it not to be in
January as his side would be affected by Socceroo duty for the Asian Cup.
It may not have gone to plan on Sunday, but the North Queensland Fury are following
in United's footsteps.
Their major sponsor Queensland Nickel - owned by Palmer - has announced it will
offer free entry to the Fury's Townsville clash with Wellington on January 27.
A big crowd would be a timely boost for the battling Fury.
They have until the end of January to raise $1.5 million to convince Football
Federation Australia they should partially fund them before the club's community
ownership plan is activated in the 2012-13 season.
Queensland, saying it was a "disgrace" that he was charged over $100,000 a game to
use Skilled Park, only to be provided a surface of inferior quality.
Palmer on Monday remained undecided on whether to again offer free entry to the
rescheduled clash with Central Coast after Sunday's match was called off in the 20th
minute due to a water-logged pitch.
The abandoned game not only created a major headache for the A-League as they
juggled an already congested season, it also raised serious questions about Skilled
Park's maintenance.
Miffed United officials are expected to hold talks with Stadiums Queensland - who
manage Skilled Park for the state government - over the pitch's condition.
Palmer had a crack at the pitch on Monday as he saluted the 10,146 brave souls who
snapped up free tickets and endured Sunday's saturated Skilled Park clash.
"We are all very disappointed that the game had to be abandoned due to the state of
the pitch," he said.
"It is such a shame that the supporters didn't get to see how good the team is and
how committed they were to putting on a good show and winning the match."
But Palmer added: "It was a great success in the sense that we had over 23,000
tickets snapped up and over 10,000 people in the stadium in what were appalling
weather conditions.
"I want to thank everyone who took the trouble to come to the game yesterday.
"You braved the horrible weather and came to the match regardless so you could give
your support to your team."
United coach Miron Bleiberg said there was "no argument" that Skilled Park was the
A-League's worst surface despite paying "five star" rental charges.
"When you are at a budget hotel you don't pay more than you pay at the Hilton,"
Bleiberg said.
The patchy surface was slammed by both sides after the abandoned game, with Gold
Coast striker Joel Porter claiming the "horrendous" pitch contributed to the match
being called off.
"There was a bit of grass here and there, where there wasn't grass was just a puddle
- it was pretty terrible," Porter said.
The A-League is yet to reschedule the game but Bleiberg pleaded for it not to be in
January as his side would be affected by Socceroo duty for the Asian Cup.
It may not have gone to plan on Sunday, but the North Queensland Fury are following
in United's footsteps.
Their major sponsor Queensland Nickel - owned by Palmer - has announced it will
offer free entry to the Fury's Townsville clash with Wellington on January 27.
A big crowd would be a timely boost for the battling Fury.
They have until the end of January to raise $1.5 million to convince Football
Federation Australia they should partially fund them before the club's community
ownership plan is activated in the 2012-13 season.
