Gungahlin United Football Club's debt exceeds $550,000 as closure leaves families 'totally blindsided'

Four times a week through the football season, Marita Fuhrer bundled her family into their car and drove the more than two-hour return journey from Braidwood into Canberra.

Her four boys — six-year-old twins and 10-year-old twins — were all part of the Gungahlin United Football Club (GUFC).

"We have an amazing tight-knit team," she said.

"It's a family that we've built."

But the boys won't be seeing their teammates next season, after GUFC announced on October 18 they were $200,000 in debt and would be closing, leaving more than 2,000 players without a club.

The club was not issued a 2026 licence to play in the National Premier League (NPL) from Capital Football, which they said meant it was "not feasible or reasonable for the community arm of the club" to continue normal operations.

Two days later, a statement on social media said the club's estimated debt was actually more than double the initial figure.

"Since the club statement was issued, further creditors have been identified," the statement, from October 20, read.

For the Fuhrer family, the news was "such a shock".

"We had absolutely no idea. Totally blindsided," Ms Fuhrer said.

"It was an incredible source of community spirit and a place where people met one another which is now gone.

A 'tidal wave' of club-less players

Ms Fuhrer had already paid an $800 deposit for her two eldest boys to play in the NPL pathway program, which funnels players towards the highest-level league.

"We're just presuming we're never going to get that back," she said.

It could be hard for ex-GUFC players to join other clubs that are already halfway through the trial process for the best teams.

Ms Fuhrer has sent expressions of interest to other clubs in the area, but acknowledges she's now part of a "tidal wave" of demand hitting every other club in the competition.

"They're like family and they played so well together, and they were so strong," Ms Fuhrer said.

GUFC's latest statement said they understood the impact of the news on players and families, and were working towards providing "program refunds for players".

The club also refuted claims they allowed sign-ups when they knew their NPL licence was being revoked.

"It has been reported that GUFC continued to accept deposits while planning to enter administration. This is not correct," the statement said.

"We remain committed to providing timely and accurate updates as further information becomes available."

'We will find more grass if we need to'

For now, GUFC's closure means that Gungahlin — one of the ACT's fastest growing areas — is without a football club.

A fifteen-minute drive away from the GUFC club, Belnorth Football Club president Ruth Parker is busy setting up nets ahead of evening games.

The club has 1,600 players already, and Ms Parker is expecting hundreds more to sign up from GUFC.

"Finding that many families without a place to play football is quite sad," she said.

Ms Parker is happy to work with other clubs to make sure kids can keep playing football with their friends, but she acknowledged there were difficulties: resources, people, volunteer numbers, and the fact many teams were part-way through their trial process.

"I won't be surprised if 2026 is quite disruptive for everyone," she said.

"There are a lot of parents and volunteers that I am sure would love to step up to help in some way, to keep their community on the pitch. We just need to figure out how that will happen."

One potential problem is simply the space needed.

"We get quite creative to use every inch of grass available to us to fit in as many teams as possible," she said.

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