Gold Coast United attracts marquee women players back to the Gold Coast

NEW NPLQ club Gold Coast United has attracted two marquee women’s players back down the M1.

Both Deeanna Thompson and Eloise Fryer kicked off as juniors in United’s catchment area of northern NSW. After stellar junior careers they both played for senior women’s teams on the Gold Coast before joining Brisbane NPL club, Souths United.

“This is a very important step for our women’s program as these girls have started and been developed through the local systems,” said United CEO Troy Bingham.

“They are great role models for our local girls, showing what you can achieve if you work hard. We are really excited by what our women’s program will be able to achieve now with such strong players signing for our first team and mentoring our younger players.”

United recently announced the signing of top American professionals Mackenzie Akins and Anjel Brown, however the recruitment of Thompson and Fryer emphasises the club’s mantra to invest in local talent.

“There are so many quality players across this region, male and female,” said Bingham. “The fact that Deeanna and Eloise have decided to come back home is a big boost for what we stand for.”

United’s women’s head coach Michael Cook said both players were quality on and off the pitch.

“Deeanna is a player I have long admired and we are more than excited about her signing,” he said. “As an attacking player, she is so dangerous that each time I have coached against her, I have needed to come up with tactics specifically to try to stop the threat she poses. It will be great to not have to play against her anymore.

“Her pace, game awareness and finishing ability are top class and I know she will be a key player for us. Above and beyond that, she is a wonderful person and will be a great role model for our younger players and a great teammate to all of the senior players.

“Eloise is simply one of the best defenders in the State. With her addition to the squad and with the already terrific list of defenders we have, we will be a very difficult team to score against.

“Ellie is a natural leader and her experience and ability will be crucial to us being successful in our first season. I am over the moon with Ellie signing for us, and look forward to working with her this season.”

Thompson’s and Fryer’s soccer careers have run almost parallel since they first played in the same NSW Far North Coast junior rep teams from when they were 12. They both attended university on the Gold Coast – Thompson at Griffith and Fryer at Bond – and both played for Gold Coast senior women’s teams before playing for Souths United for the past two seasons.

View full media release here.