National Rugby League Side Gold Coast Founder, Coach Both Stand Down

National Rugby League side Gold Coast Founder Michael Searle and the "only man to have coached the club," John Cartwright, have "stood down from their roles in a bid to help ensure Gold Coast's long-term viability," according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Searle tendered his "resignation as a director and head of football, while Cartwright became the sixth coach to part company with his club this season after reaching a mutual agreement with the Gold Coast board to hand over the job to assistant Neil Henry." Both will "remain involved with the club they helped bring to life" in '07. Searle still holds a 40% stake in the Titans and Cartwright has "been offered another position beyond this season." Results aren't the Titans' biggest concern as they are "also fighting a losing battle with Gold Coast Suns, who are underwritten by the AFL" to the tune of up to A$20M ($18.6M) per year and "have been growing crowds, while attendances at Skilled Park have decreased a third" since '08 (SMH, 8/5).