To see today's press conference at Skilled Stadium...

“We want to make sure our players have the best and they're well prepared,” he said.

“We don't think a second rate approach will do. I happen to have three jets and certainly if our coach advises us that it could be an advantage to have them [the players] well rested and acclimatised, we'll certainly be able to provide that for them.”

The A-League has a sponsorship arrangement with Qantas, but if a plane is privately owned – as is the case with Palmer's three jets – then there shouldn't be a problem with the FFA.

Palmer added that he uses the jets because he travels so much with his business interests. “I'm probably only in Australia one month in four,” he said.

But he was sure that the lure of a well funded club, playing out of a real football stadium (likened today to the Bolton's Reebok stadium) in one of the most beautiful spots in the country will have players banging down coach Miron Bleiberg's door for a contract.

“People are waiting to see what happens but let me say, we plan to promote the Gold Coast to the playing community. It shows the benefits of moving here,” said Palmer.

“There is a great opportunity for the Gold Coast to leap forward. For a long time, Queensland's been a backwater. It's only in the last ten or 15 years have we claimed our position on the national calendar.”

Palmer added that his club had a touch of glamour about it “...and it certainly goes with the Gold Coast, doesn't it?

“We're setting our sights on winning the A-League and the Asian Cup [ACL]. If we didn't think we had the will or the resources we wouldn't do it.”

To see today's press conference at Skilled Stadium...