Coast defend controversial crowd cap

(AAP) - Gold Coast United's owner Clive Palmer and coach Miron Bleiberg's self-promotion have been blamed for the lack of support which will see them cap Skilled Park crowds at 5,000.

A-League boss Archie Fraser, angered by the controversial lockout of fans for
Saturday night's clash with North Queensland, on Wednesday blamed United for failing
to connect with their community and promote "local heroes".
Fraser said the Coast's grass-roots supporters had turned their back on the
self-confessed glamour club, which had shown in the meagre home attendances.
"I think the way they have approached promoting the product and their club has been
more about promoting the owner and the coach than promoting the heroes," Fraser said
on SEN.
"Clearly the public at this point in time is switched off even though the team plays
good football.
"They play stylish football and win but there are no local heroes."
The comments of Fraser, who also claimed fragmentation within the fledgling club had
led to Sunday's record 6-0 loss in Wellington, led to denials from Coast officials
who say they must cut costs to stay afloat.
"At the end of the day we need to be a successful venture or the club won't be here
for a long time," club chief executive Clive Mensink told AAP.
Mensink, wary about the poor history of Coast teams in national competitions, said
Palmer and Bleiberg's big-talking ways were not designed to take the attention away
from their players.
"At the end of the day we don't control what the media prints," he said.
"As we know Clive is an attraction all to himself. The media listens to every word
he has to say and they dwell on it a lot."
No more than 5,000 spectators will be allowed into the eastern grandstand at Skilled
Park on Saturday night when Robbie Fowler's North Queensland Fury look to avenge
their 5-0 round two thrashing by United.
Palmer, currently overseas, and Bleiberg have defended the move on the basis that
recent crowds of 4,209 and 4,509 have contributed to significant losses on their
rent agreement with Stadiums Queensland.
Under their current arrangement, the rent drops from $140,000 to $40,000 per game
for crowds less than 5,000.
By capping the crowd, United aren't required to pay a state government transport
levy and will also save money on stadium staff and not having to implement a traffic
plan.
Mensink denied the third-placed club were taking the unconventional approach to
haggle for a better deal, insisting that the charity of billionaire Palmer only
extends so far.
"I think there's a lot of expectation that Clive can pay for everything and that's
disappointing," he said.
"By putting this team together Clive has done a favour to the community.
"If it wasn't for Clive there wouldn't be a team here now and we wouldn't have
players like Jason Culina or Shane Smeltz playing for the Gold Coast."
The Coast on Wednesday dropped ticket prices for Saturday night's game, with top-end
adult tickets being reduced from $55 to $30 and $15 for children.
Rival club Brisbane Roar, who are also suffering from the lowest crowds in their
five-year history, also attacked United's approach.
"At a time where the game should be sticking together, this is a ridiculous
situation and it's sending out mixed messages to football fans," Roar chairman Chris
Bombolas said.