A-League life in Gold Coast United yet, says coach Mike Mulvey

New Gold Coast United coach Mike Mulvey firmly believes his club has a future in the A-League, revealing unlikely support from the city's rival codes.

It has been a tough week for the club, which parted ways with inaugural coach Miron Bleiberg and with owner Clive Palmer seemingly waging a one-man war on Football Federation Australia.

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Mulvey's men put in a creditable performance to draw 3-3 with league-leaders Central Coast on Wednesday, but had just 1,141 fans in attendance at Robina.

But Manchester-born Mulvey has taken stock of the club's situation amid doubts over its A-League future, saying a meeting with coaches of rival code Gold Coast-based franchises has given him confidence.

"We all had a shared belief that the Gold Coast is a special place, and that we all want success for our own teams," Mulvey said of the dinner date with Guy McKenna (coach of Australian Rules team the Suns), John Cartwright (of rugby league outfit the Titans) and Joey Wright (of basketball francise the Blaze).

"We also believe we can help each other, a bit of cross-fertilization of ideas. They're all aware that Gold Coast United are a Gold Coast team."

Mulvey was delighted with his charges' performance against the Mariners, with just two of the starting XI - in captain Michael Thwaite and defensive partner Kristian Rees - over 23 years of age.  Gold Coast had seemed destined for a win after leading 3-1 in the second half, before the Mariners fought back.

"The people who were here were excited," he said.

"This is just the start. We're building with these players for the future."

The Mariners have now won just one match of their past four, but should be bolstered for Sunday's visit to Melbourne Heart by the return of No.1 goalkeeper Mat Ryan and fellow Australia Under-23 representatives Oliver Bozanic and Mustafa Amini.

John Hutchinson is also a chance to return from illness, and coach Graham Arnold was content with the end result against United.

"It's a good point, in the end, because it puts us six points clear," he said.

"There's a long way to go yet. Only five games, but a lot can happen. Gold Coast took two points off us so let's hope they can do it to other teams as well.

"Brisbane are in good form again and Perth are in great form. I think there's a lot of twists and turns to go yet."