Porter poised for Glitter Strip
2 October 2008 | 20:00 - SBS
Gold Coast United are on the brink of luring English-based one-time fringe Socceroo Joel Porter to the Glitter Strip, six years after he left in search of the big time.
The proven predator, who has four Socceroos caps, is out of contract with third tier Hartlepool at the end of the season and wants to wuit the post-industrial wasteland of England's north-east for sunnier climes.
United's head coach Miron Bleiberg, a long-time admirer of Porter's work ethic and eye for goal during his days with Melbourne Knights and Sydney Olympic in the defunct national league, is all but sold on the striker.
But he will not make a final decision until watching Porter, 29, in the flesh playing for his club at home to Yeovil on December 6, as part of his odyssey to England to snap up displaced Aussie talent.
"Porter's at the right age. I've seen a lot of him down the years, but my rule is that I won't sign any player I haven't watched in person, so that's what I'll be doing with him,'' explained Bleiberg.
"It shows that we are serious about signing players still near, or in the primes, rather than foreigners on the wrong side of 30 who have nothing left to prove.
''All the indications are he's still very good. He scores regularly in a tough competition and it's not easy to be a striker anywhere.
"He's left-footed, he can play centre-forward, behind the strikers and on the wing.
"I don't see him as a squad player if I sign him it will be as a starter.''
Despite missing large chunks of the last three seasons through injury, Porter, who cannot officially enter into negotiations with clubs until January 1, has banged in 43 goals in 123 appearances for the club he joined in 2003 - with four in 11 games so far this season.
Bleiberg has further bolstered the club's squad with former Wellington Phoenix defender Kristian Rees, who is currently with state league outfit Adelaide City.
And talks are looming with Wellington's Kiwi international striker Shane Smeltz who is also on the hit list of Adelaide United after beginning the season with a flurry of goals for his struggling club
2 October 2008 | 20:00 - SBS
Gold Coast United are on the brink of luring English-based one-time fringe Socceroo Joel Porter to the Glitter Strip, six years after he left in search of the big time.
The proven predator, who has four Socceroos caps, is out of contract with third tier Hartlepool at the end of the season and wants to wuit the post-industrial wasteland of England's north-east for sunnier climes.
United's head coach Miron Bleiberg, a long-time admirer of Porter's work ethic and eye for goal during his days with Melbourne Knights and Sydney Olympic in the defunct national league, is all but sold on the striker.
But he will not make a final decision until watching Porter, 29, in the flesh playing for his club at home to Yeovil on December 6, as part of his odyssey to England to snap up displaced Aussie talent.
"Porter's at the right age. I've seen a lot of him down the years, but my rule is that I won't sign any player I haven't watched in person, so that's what I'll be doing with him,'' explained Bleiberg.
"It shows that we are serious about signing players still near, or in the primes, rather than foreigners on the wrong side of 30 who have nothing left to prove.
''All the indications are he's still very good. He scores regularly in a tough competition and it's not easy to be a striker anywhere.
"He's left-footed, he can play centre-forward, behind the strikers and on the wing.
"I don't see him as a squad player if I sign him it will be as a starter.''
Despite missing large chunks of the last three seasons through injury, Porter, who cannot officially enter into negotiations with clubs until January 1, has banged in 43 goals in 123 appearances for the club he joined in 2003 - with four in 11 games so far this season.
Bleiberg has further bolstered the club's squad with former Wellington Phoenix defender Kristian Rees, who is currently with state league outfit Adelaide City.
And talks are looming with Wellington's Kiwi international striker Shane Smeltz who is also on the hit list of Adelaide United after beginning the season with a flurry of goals for his struggling club
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