5 Apr 2012

Gold Coast axed from A-League

1:30 pm on 5 April 2012

Gold Coast United has officially been axed by Football Federation Australia and the city will not be represented in the A-League next season.

Gold Coast becomes the third club to fold since the A-League's inception seven years ago, behind North Queensland Fury and the New Zealand Knights.

The decision comes a day after the FFA announced it would bankroll a new western Sydney franchise from next season.

The FFA's blaming a lack of public and corporate support in the city for the decision, as well as a shortage of new investors with a viable business plan and adequate capital investment.

It also says the failure of the franchise can be directly attributed to the Clive Palmer-owned club's lack of community engagement and its inability to build a football culture around the club.

FFA says the potential for a National Youth League team to remain on the Gold Coast was currently under discussion with Football Queensland.