Former Titans CEO Graham Annesley says return to Gold Coast ‘inevitable’

The former boss of the Gold Coast Titans is eyeing off a return to the Gold Coast, and he’s now revealed what his plans might be when he does.

FORMER Gold Coast Titans boss Graham Annesley says a return to live on the Glitter Strip is inevitable – and he’ll consider targeting a Gold Coast City Council seat when he does.

The highly-regarded ex-Titans CEO has been the Sydney-based NRL head of football since October last year.

But last night he told the Bulletin ever since his departure from the Gold Coast, he and wife Erica always planned to come back in future.

Asked about any political aspirations, the former NSW State Government Sports Minister said: “I’ve had some preliminary discussions about the possibility (of council).

Annesley’s return to the Gold Coast may be inevitable. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“If the timing was right, I would love to contribute to the future development of the Gold Coast as a city and place that is a great place to live, work and play.

“It has every attribute you could possibly hope to find in a city and is in one of the most ideal locations on the planet.”

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The Bulletin asked given his reputation for being a leader if he’d look at the mayoralty, he said: “If you are asking me if I’ll come back to run for mayor, that’s not even a consideration. If anything happens it would be at city councillor level.”

But he wanted to stress any decision about a move had no timing around it and he was enjoying his NRL role: “My only focus is trying to do my job at the NRL.”

Speaking generally about the Gold Coast, Mr Annesley said it was the only city he owned property with a Benowa bolthole he was renting out.

He now considers the Gold Coast home. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

“I never thought I would live anywhere else but Sydney but after five years on the Gold Coast I now consider it home.

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“My wife and I always indicated when we left the Gold Coast 12 months ago that we would be back.

“We love the people there and have a wide circle of friends on the Coast. It’s got a closeness in terms of the circle you deal with and that doesn’t exist in a city the size of Sydney.