Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast Mariners – Quick Stats

Most Appearances: Alex Wilkinson (111)
Top Goal Scorer: Matt Simon (20)
A-League Championships: 0
Best Regular Season Finish: 1st (2007-2008)
Best AFC Champions League Result: Group stage (2009)

About the Central Coast Mariners A-League Football Club

Formed in 2004 ahead of the inaugural A-League season in 2005-2006, the Mariners became the first representatives from the Central Coast to participate in a major national sporting competition. With a strong local football fraternity and a vacant boutique stadium – owned by millionaire entrepreneur John Singleton – to play in, the Central Coast bid secured a place in the A-League as one of three clubs from New South Wales, along with Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC.

Scottish born Lawrie McKinna was hired as Mariners head coach for season one, having formerly coached Northern Spirit for two seasons prior to the dismantling of the NSL. Whilst opting not to chase after any expensive big-name players, McKinna managed to put together a solid squad for season one, with a key focus on depth. The likes of former NSL stalwarts Tom Pondeljak, Noel Spencer and Andre Gumprecht were signed up along with promising youngsters Michael Beauchamp, Dean Heffernan and Alex Wilkinson. However, their biggest signing ahead of their maiden campaign – former Perth Glory striker Nick Mrdja – suffered a serious knee injury during the pre-season cup (won by Central Coast) and missed the entire season as a result. The unfancied Mariners were written off as title contenders by many, but managed to finish the regular season in third place before reaching the grand final. With the entire local community willing them on, the Mariners went into the sell-out match against Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium with high hopes, but lost 1-0 in a tight, intense encounter.

Having shied away from signing a marquee player in season one, the Mariners unveiled former Socceroo defender Tony Vidmar as their marquee signing prior to the 2006-2007 season. However, Central Coast’s hopes of building on their success from a year ago failed to materialise as they finished in a disappointing sixth place, missing out on the finals. The club bounced back the following season to capture premiership honours ahead of arch rivals Newcaslte, and in the process won a spot in the 2009 AFC Champions League. The Mariners then defeated the Jets in the two-leg major semi final to secure their place in the grand final. But, for the second time in three years, the club finished on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline in the decider as Newcastle claimed the championship in a controversial match that saw Central Coast goalkeeper Danny Vukovic sent off – and later suspended for six months – for pushing referee Mark Shield last in the game.

The 2008-2009 season saw the Mariners sneak into the final series in fourth place, before bowing out at the hands of Queensland Roar in their two-leg minor semi final. Then, the club’s much-anticipated first foray into Asia’s premier club competition proved to be a dismal one, as Central Coast failed to win a game in their group and finished in last place as a result. Later that year the Mariners received some good news when their $18m development project for first class training and office facilities at Wyong was given the go-ahead by local council. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2013 and will be the first club-owned football complex of its kind in Australia.

In February of 2010, on the back of the club’s worst A-League season so far, McKinna announced that he would be stepping down as coach and moving into an off-field role for 2010-2011. The club moved quickly to secure the services of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold as head coach of the Mariners for the next three years. Arnold has settled into the domestic scene well and his side have enjoyed a positive start to the new A-League season.

Current Key Players: Patricio Perez, Alex Wilkinson, Michael McGlinchey, Matt Simon, John Hutchinson.