Blog: Giggles' Golden Future

SHADOWS are slowly creeping across the grassy green fields of the Merrimac Soccer Club.

The skyscrapers dominating the near horizon are tinged with the pink and orange hues of sunset. I sit with my wife on the terrace of the Italian Club, which doubles as a de-facto club headquarters, and gesture towards a crowd of youngsters who are finishing their CoastPro coaching clinic session.

"That big guy over there is the goalie, Scott Higgins," I say. "He used to play for Queensland Roar. He's also played in Scotland and Israel. And that stocky bloke in the blue shirt is Steve Fitzsimmons, who's been playing state league lately but used to be with the New Zealand Knights."

The names don't mean much to my wife, but then again, neither do names like Joel Porter, Shane Smeltz, or even Jason Culina (don't ask about David Beckham...). I start the interview a few minutes later by asking Scott and Steve what it felt like to be in a squad with such quality players.

"Well, obviously when names like that are thrown around it's pretty exciting for guys like Steve and myself," said Scott. "We are certainly not the big names, but like you see in all football clubs, everybody makes up the squad."

"The talk of private jets and helicopters is all very exciting, but we'll see how that goes. As long as we're doing the business on the field."

It soon becomes obvious that these lads are totally focussed on the task ahead of them, grateful for the opportunity of a Gold Coast United contract, and determined to give the coming season everything they've got.

It's already been a long journey for Higgins and Fitzsimmons, who were involved through ex-Roar staff with the original Gold Coast Galaxy consortium. Both will be turning 33 this year, and both feared the opportunity of A-League football had gone when that bid failed.

"We've sort of always been involved," said Steve, "We were always in the frame. But to be honest, me and Scott thought our chances were going down."

"We thought that was it for us," agrees Scott. "But Clive's come in, and Gold Coast United has happened... We can just count our blessings, I guess."

"Now it's up to us how long we're there for. Miron has told us that as long as we're fit and working hard, there's no reason why we can't be in the squad for a few years to come."

And with the club's ambitions knowing no bounds, a contract with United FC could take these boys anywhere. We talk about the changing face of the A-League, and the welcome return of Jason Culina.

"I think Jason's set the precedent, coming back at 29 years of age and the peak of his powers," says Steve. "Hopefully now others will take his lead."

Scott says guys like Craig Moore, Danny Tiatto and Charlie Miller have also shown that older players can extend their careers and still lift the quality of the domestic game.

"I wish the A-League would have happened when we were 22 or 23!" says Steve with a smile.

"It's fantastic for kids these days," agrees Scott.

We talk about players moving into Asian clubs where there are no salary caps. The name Adam Griffiths comes up. Both agree a contract is definitely a contract, but they can also see a reality where both club and player can see benefits from a deal.

"I mean, that's how all the big clubs work in Europe," says Scott. "If the club can benefit financially and the player benefits, well, you know, then both should be happy. But obviously that's not always the way."

Of course neither of these players is thinking of moving abroad right now! In fact, both see opportunities for a long-term future with the Gold Coast United club, even when their playing careers are over.

While it's early days yet, they talk about maybe one day integrating their CoastPro business with official club clinics and other community projects. Clearly both are excited by the prospects an A-League club brings to the region.

"Obviously the Roar cam down here a little bit in the early days," says Scott, who is originally from Brisbane. "But now for the Gold Coast to have their own team, their own identity, I think for the kids of the Gold Coast it should be fantastic."

"What an impact Clive has made," nods Steve, who moved up from Sydney 8 years ago. "It just proves, with the right marketing and the right team you can fill up stadiums. No doubt."

What about the other football codes? Do they think the Gold Coast can support an NRL, AFL, basketball and A-League teams?

"Queenslanders kind of jump on a winning team, to be honest," says Scott. "When the [Brisbane] Strikers made that Grand Final all those years ago, the average crowd was ten or twelve thousand, and then they got forty five thousand to the Grand Final.

"With the team Clive and Miron and Paul Okon have built, hopefully we're going to be winning more than we're losing, and we'll get people coming down and supporting us."

Scott, Steve and a few other local-based players (including James Brown and Richard Greer) were doing the rounds of local clubs during the big Junior Sign-On this weekend. But there hasn't been a whole lot more involvement with the club to date.

"We done medicals, we've done initial fitness testing, and currently we're on light training programs," says Steve. "But apart from that, we've just got to report in and stay healthy."

Both players are clearly fit and determined to stay that way. And while the papers are full of rumoured pre-season games against Singapore, Hong Kong, Fulham and Everton, they are not letting the hype distract them.

"Things will be a lot clearer after that first couple of weeks of training," says Scott. "We'll probably get a program for the next couple of months, saying this is where we are going to be, this is what's happening."

"But nothing beats game time," says Steve, as Scott nods vigorously.

So do they really think the Gold Coast will be able to beat any team in the world, as Clive Palmer contends?

"That's probably a great attitude to have." says Scott. "I mean, obviously you respect teams, but you should never fear anyone. At the end of they day, we are all professionals.

"Obviously if you're playing the likes of a Man United, or a Fulham, or an Everton if they are going to come over here, you're going to respect them, but certainly not lie down and fear them.

"So exciting times, and when Clive speaks about going through the season undefeated, you know - high expectations. But players put expectations on themselves too, you know."

At this point, the 2.01 metre goalie pins me with a steady glare, perhaps wondering if I have any idea how hard a professional footballer works to make a success of his career. I suddenly understand why Miron selected him.

We start talking about the infectiously positive attitude being generated by the new club, and I compare it with the latest news from the Newcastle Jets. A shadow passes over Steve Fitzsimmons' face.

"Well I had the unfortunate experience, when I was playing for the New Zealand Knights, and we were in the biggest rut. Those players had that attitude, they were hating to be where they were, they were professionals, but going through things like that... They were a good team."

His voice tapers off as he shakes his head. I suddenly start to wonder how much the crisis at the Knights might have affected his own career chances.

"Obviously the Phoenix have done a lot better this year!" he laughs. "Anyway, I'm happy to be here!"

While the excitement of big crowds and private jets is still a few more months away, Steve and Scott are happy to be running clinics and fielding excited questions from youngsters.

"It's great to be meeting fans, and seeing the kids already asking where they can get Gold Coast United jerseys," says Scott. "So it's pretty exciting."

We talk for a few more minutes about the club's debut game against the Roar (Scott reckons any other team will still bring 20,000 fans) and the challenges of tropical heat in North Queensland, where both have previously played games. Then I remember that both players are still wearing sweat-soaked shirts from their coaching clinic, which ended in a downpour of rain.

I've already offered to buy the lads a beer, which they politely declined (true to coach Miron's strict standards). So I thank them for their time and head back across the terracotta tiles in search of my wife.

Walking away, I'm more impressed than ever with the dedicated attitude and hard-working ethic that footballers like this bring to the game. Sure, it's great to have superstar marquees flying into the country, but less celebrated players like Scott and Steve are the ones who really make the modern A-League possible.

Good luck next season, boys!

PS: Anyone interested in a CoastPro coaching clinic can contact the boys at coastpro@ymail.com