“The FFA came and saw us on Friday,” Fred Taplin, from the Gold Coast bid, told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"It really just was a review to make sure the financials are presented in a way that is suitable for the submission

“It literally was just a tweaking exercise in relation to the submission ... they're talking early March for when a decision is likely made and we're still very optimistic we'll get the licence.

"Of course the only doubt in the whole thing is if we're 2008 or 2009.”

While not wishing to state a preference, Taplin added: “We've prepared plans for both.”

Should the Gold Coast get the green light for 2008, the issue of player signings looms as a bump in the road for the Queensland bid-in-waiting.

With the January transfer window over by the time an FFA decision is likely made, the Gold Coast is hoping there'll be some flexibility on transfer regulations should it be a 2008 start for them, or else allow an expedited announcement.

“It's not a big issue except there's a little difficulty once we go past the January transfer window, which limits the number of A-League players we can bring in," added Taplin.

“If the FFA can bring their decision forward - if that process is fast, it places us in a better position for 08. And we can get the submission done fairly quickly. It's just the decision process right now.

“The longer it goes, the more chance of us seeking some sort of exemption in order to sign players [outside of the January transfer window).”

As for Joe Skoko joining the club – as alluded to by Gold Coast-based former A-League coach Miron Bleiberg - Taplin was somewhat bemused. “That's news to me,” he said. “Well, you've known Miron for a while. His contacts are deep and wide.”

The club will use the facility at Runaway Bay – an impressive multi-purpose training and administration venue which currently houses Gold Coast Football – the local governing body.

Skilled Park at Robina is yet to be confirmed with the club currently negotiating a deal to play at the impressive all-seat facility.

Taplin added: “No question of the support we've received and we've consulted pretty widely.”

After the meeting, FFA CEO Ben Buckley revealed they needed more details on the club's proposed business plan.

"I think the Gold Coast region has demonstrated that it will come out and support a team that is for all the people of the Gold Coast," Buckley told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"We think the model the Gold Coast Galaxy has presented really addressed that very well but there's still other pieces of information that needs to be provided to us.

"It's more around the financial operations model. That's the key piece that we really need to see some more detail behind.

"We were pleased with what we saw today but we still need further information before we make a final decision.

"I think critically we need to make sure that financially if there was to be a team here that it could survive and sustain itself for a long period of time."

He added: "I think it's still a little early to say but the signs are pretty good.

"If the questions that we've asked can be answered satisfactorily then things are looking very positive."