BELIEVE me, 2008 has been a long year for Gold Coast fans. But as a new year finally dawns, it looks like our patience will soon be rewarded.

We have already assembled a brilliant squad, which will be finalized in the next few weeks. We are officially allowed to approach European players on January 1, and you can expect the club to unveil some big name players after January 5.

Former Socceroos Joel Porter, who has bounced back from a minor thigh injury, looks a near certainty for the Glitter Strip. But other big names are on the radar too.

Players like Mile Sterjovski, Shane Steffanutto, Chris Coyne and Scott Chipperfield are still being mentioned. The door looks to be open for Tahj Minniecon if he wants the junior marquee spot. And let's not forget those nine other A-League signings Miron boasted about - by my reckoning, there's still at least four more to be revealed.

Jason Culina remains an enticing option. I read some lengthy PSV analysis last week calling Culina a good bench player, in case someone gets injured next season.

A PSV fan in the comments even said they should sell him! Now, becoming a permanent bench player in 2009 could seriously jeopardise Culina's World Cup 2010 prospects, whereas an A-league marquee role would put him firmly in Verbeek's sights. So keep your fingers crossed, folks.

Also worth noting that Clive Palmer's people were talking to Harry Kewell's people just two months ago. Even if Harry's not ready to quit Turkey just yet, it's a sign of how ambitious the new Gold Coast outfit is, and how much money we have available for quality players.

Frank Lowy insists the global financial storm will not harm the A-League, and Clive Palmer's personal fortunes seem miraculously unharmed so far. Sydney FC, Adelaide and the Mariners should also be very well positioned financially for the 09/10 season.

With these teams laying down a challenge to other clubs, we should see a few tired old A-League players lifting their games, and crowds thronging back to the stadiums. I know a lot of A-League fans are sick of going to games where their teams play bad, or go a goal up and then sit back and defend until the inevitable happens, or where games are decided by a dodgy call from an official.

I hope the Gold Coast team will play beautiful, attacking football, and other teams will lift to play us. Imagine an A-League in two or three years time with Culina, Kewell, Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill all on the field. Then wipe the drool off your keyboard - it could happen!

Meanwhile, players who have already signed for Gold Coast United are busy keeping match fit. Goalies Scott Higgins and Jess Vanstrattan are out on loan as backup A-League goalies, while others are regularly taking the field in Queensland and Victorian state league matches.

Paul Okon is currently interim head coach at A.P.I.A Leichhardt Tigers, where he's now doing holiday coaching clinics for a bargain $260/week. He will also take charge of an under-18 team at the Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney next month.

And I'm heading into Brisbane to watch Shane Smeltz demolish the Roar on Sunday! Yes, even without a full squad assembled, there are already plenty of opportunities to see Gold Coast players in action.

So fare thee well, 2008. It's been hard sitting out a full season when the Galaxy bid was just about ready to go. At least we are now calling Skilled Park home, and we won't be called "Galaxy" any more (I hope).

Sure, it has been fun watching the mocking dismissals of other fans turn to grudging respect, and then nervous fear. But there's nothing like the real thing. The new year is almost here, we should know our full squad within weeks, and we only have to wait another eight months till our first season kicks off!