Health Check: Revealing the financial state of every Gold Coast football club

Leaders from the Gold Coast’s eight Premier League clubs have shed light on their financial positions during the coronavirus shutdown.

Leaders from the Gold Coast’s eight Premier League clubs have declared their financial positions are stable despite ongoing pressure from the coronavirus shutdown.

Clubs reported the loss of canteen and bar sales revenue have had a big impact across the board.

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All clubs started planning and incurring costs for their 2020 campaigns last year but no club said they were in danger of collapse when competition returns.

Some clubs said they would have to carefully evaluate whether a return to competition in 2020 would be financially viable while most clubs held fears for their finances should junior football be cancelled for the rest of the year, forcing clubs to refund playing fees.

No club said they were in danger of collapse when competition returns.Picture Glenn Hampson

Broadbeach United

“I believe soccer will be back and probably an extended season,” president Michael Doyle said.

“If the juniors asked for registration back, it would be a bit of a bloodbath I believe.

“We’ve been going since mid-December and you’ve got the running of the clubs, all the lights, playing pre-season games.

“We’ve probably spent in the range of $40,000 on uniforms and the club is shut to all players so far.

“We’re out of pocket so if they all ask for the regos back, we’ve lost in the region of $40,000 which we can’t afford to do.”

Nerang Eagles

“I believe, at this stage, last I heard, no one has asked for a refund on their fees,” Eagles president Brad Davies said.

“We might give people some money back or roll it over into next year but there’s a lot to decide and we’re all new to this.”

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Palm Beach

“I can’t see any competitive football happening this year,” Sharks president Michael Hanns said.

“We’re bound by right of use as well and sharing fields with other sports.

“I think a lot of clubs are struggling financially.

“A lot of Premier League football is funded by junior and grassroots football so I can’t see clubs justifying what money there is in grassroots football and pouring it into the premier league.

“It will probably take time for clubs to get back to where they were before this happened.”

Southport

“We’ve got fully licensed club with poker machines so we’re missing that revenue,” president Gary Hugo said.

“We’re all talking about when football starts up again, but how are we going to pay for things and get patronage in.

“We’ve got a lot of outgoings but not a lot coming back into the club.

“If we have to refund all junior registration fees if it comes to that, we still have outgoings so it will be a problem.

“We’re more than willing to talk and listen to what a new season might look like but it’s got to be financially viable for clubs.

“It doesn’t matter if I want it or the coach wants it, our club needs to be there next year so the future of Southport is at stake.”

Some clubs said they would have to carefully evaluate whether a return to competition in 2020 would be financially viable. Picture Glenn Hampson

Coomera

“Clubs are always going to suffer financially because we’re not getting a full season in,” said vice-president of football Tony Roach.

“If we get some season going, we’ll be able to recoup some lost income but if we don’t have a season, we’re not going to get anything.

“We have had some government assistance which has helped.

“We’ve all done club exercises in relation to where we stand if there’s no football this year and if there’s no football, we’ll have to issue refunds.

“We’re eager to get our kids back on the park and play football across the board.”

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Surfers Paradise

“Our boys are pumped and ready to go,” president Telly Karadimos said.

“We’ve had new sponsors who have given us money upfront this year and they haven’t asked for any back.

“Our inside toilets are being refurbished and our change rooms and we’ve got a new scoreboard going up.

“We’re ready to rock and roll but we’re just waiting for a return to play date.

“Our juniors were very limited this year but anyone who asks for their fees back, we will accommodate that but we haven’t had anyone ask yet.”

Burleigh

“Burleigh Heads want to be playing football,” Bulldogs president John Bray said.

“We want our kids and seniors to play and we want to defend our championships from last year but that depends on the number of games, what the season looks like and player availability.

“There’s a lot of things that cost money like referees and we’ve already lost a lot of sponsors this year but we’re hopeful of playing again.

“We do have a licensed venue which does have a bit of sway and bearing on our decision as it brings in revenue but it won’t be the making of our decision.”

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Robina

“100%, we are super keen (to be involved in a revised Premier League season),” president Paul Rushton said.

“The boys are super keen to get back into it and no doubt have been keeping their fitness up.

“It’s a challenge not knowing whether we’re not going to have any incoming revenue this year or not.

“A lot of people don’t realise that there’s a lot of cost for lighting, insurance and auditing.

“The short answer is that it’s a challenge and there’s so much unknown at this stage.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a few years of stability and while it’s challenging, there’s no fear we won’t be around in a few years’ time.”