Ron Joseph Pro Gold Coast

[Beaussie]

When talking with the Gold Coast Bulletin below, he comes across as very pro a Gold Coast relocation. I must admit I'm surprised with Archer throwing his support behind Joseph. I always thought he was very anti relocation.

Joseph to run for Kangaroo board
Nick Smart
15Feb07
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au/article/20 ... ports.html

THE Gold Coast's hopes of attracting a permanent AFL licence will be significantly boosted by an expected boardroom coup at the Kangaroos.

The Melbourne-based club, which will play 10 premiership matches at Carrara over the next three years, is tipped to undergo major changes at the annual meeting later this month.

Revered football identity and pro-relocation figure Ron Joseph has decided to run for a position on the board.

He said there already had been discussion at the club about permanently moving north to the Gold Coast.

Joseph, one of the club's most influential powerbrokers of the past 35 years, told The Gold Coast Bulletin he believed the AFL badly wanted a team in the region.

"I have always said that I would like to see another Kangaroos premiership based out of Arden Street (current Melbourne home base)," he said.

"But there have certainly been discussions at North about the future perhaps being on the Gold Coast.

"And from the noises I hear, the AFL wants a third team on the eastern seaboard to help battle the codes of rugby and soccer.

"As long as the club keeps its identity and the blue and the white stripes and all that, then I think the club should keep an open mind about it all."

Joseph, a former club secretary and a man who understands the Kangaroos culture like few others, caused a stir recently when he said the club had no alternative but to relocate to the Gold Coast.

Joseph will lead a three-man ticket to the February 28 election at the club's annual general meeting.

He has aligned himself with football identities James and Mark Brayshaw to seek a position via a members' vote.

Joseph has already attracted some influential supporters, with club legend and Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer throwing his support behind the Joseph ticket.

The trio's alignment leaves 11 candidates, including president Graham Duff, to fight for six board places available to shareholders of the club. The three remaining places will be determined by members.

Gold Coast-based businessman Michael O'Brien is a part of Duff's six-man ticket that hopes to be elected.

O'Brien, who is a marketing director of a successful catering company, said he believed a relocation to the Gold Coast would work.

"I believe it could work with the support of the AFL, which is what we have got," he said.

"I believe there is a future, but I don't think the club is looking any further than the next few years and developing a strong base up here.

"I know there is a very strong AFL base here on the Gold Coast.

"I think there is room for strong support for Brisbane (Lions) and strong support for a club down on the Coast."

O'Brien, who has been a Roos fan for more than 30 years, said he did not disagree with the statements made by Joseph regarding the Gold Coast.