For the first time in the club’s history, the Gold Coast SUNS have signed 10,000 members before Christmas Day.

The GC SUNS have reached the 10,000-member milestone three months earlier than last year. Membership is up 21% compared to the same time, last year.

SUNS CEO Andrew Travis believes the club has built momentum in recent months, which has prompted supporters to renew their membership.

“The club has had a really good couple of months; the signing of Nick Malceski was a catalyst,” said Travis.

“Over the next few weeks we signed Mitch Hallahan – who, like Malceski - was a player our football department identified as a target, and we got our man, when appointing Rodney Eade as senior coach.

“These signings, along with a fan-friendly fixture; the addition of three selections inside the top 30 at the draft, in Peter Wright, Jarrod Garlett and Touk Miller; and the continued development of our senior players has FIRED UP our members who are clearly looking forward to the 2015 season.”

The GC SUNS’ current membership tally sits at 10,028. This figure eclipses the previous pre-Christmas record of 8,311, which was set in 2011.

“What is evident is that the overall outlook for the Gold Coast SUNS is extremely optimistic and this response indicates our members can see the direction we’re taking and want to be part of the ride,” Travis added.

Travis confirmed 90 per cent of the SUNS’ current members were renewing members.

“Our focus pre-Christmas is on renewing our members from the previous season. It’s really pleasing that during this stage, over 8,500 members from 2014 have already jumped on board for next season.

“The hard work doesn’t stop here; the membership team will return in 2015 with the aim to achieve the club’s best membership total yet.”

Travis said the record membership number prior to Christmas meant the GC SUNS will hit the ground running, on and off the field, in 2015.

“This really continues the momentum we have, and on behalf of the entire club, I want to thank each and every one of our members, on the Gold Coast and across the country, for getting behind the club, and we wish them a very Merry Christmas, a safe and Happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing our fans at the footy in 2015,” he said.

To sign up as a 2015 GC SUNS member visit goldcoastfcmembership.com.au