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Mariner stuff not worthy of a whole thread

Ironbark

Well-Known Member
Mariners awakening: Leadership meets community engagement

Brendan Brumby

Roar Rookie
6 hours ago

The Central Coast Mariners have been doing everything right in the off-season, and deserve a shot at the A-League title. Coach Alen Stajcic has recruited players specifically with experience and pitch authority.

Three new signings spring to mind.

Serbian midfielder Milan Duric is one such superstar to be added to the roster, having won former Player of the Year in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“He is a natural leader and captained Vojvodina last season, one of the bigger clubs of Serbian football,” Stajcic said.

Strengthening the Mariners’ core defensive line is the addition of South Korean midfielder, Kim Eun-Sun. Another player with command and control, Stajcic spoke glowingly about his prized signing.

“To attract a player of Kim’s calibre who captained Suwon Bluewings, one of the biggest teams in Korea, is a tremendous boost for the Mariners and the league,” Stajcic said.

We finally come to Scottish defender and cult-hero Ziggy Gordon, a competitive warrior with plenty of grunt, which was something the Mariner’s lacked in their previous campaign.

“Last season I had the most tackles won in the Scottish Premier League, so I’m definitely there to win the ball back, and give it to players who can do something more special than I can,” Gordon drolly announced.

By recently winning its FFA Cup match against Maitland FC, the “community club” has been embracing new supporters, while extending the Mariner’s brand north, hovering over the geographical footsteps of Newcastle.

In a generous public relations move, Maitland City Council even agreed to provide financial backing for the match.

“Council is providing underwriting support of $11,000, should the event suffer a loss,” Maitland FC club President Ray Watkins said.

Other football clubs please take note. Such procedures indicate harmony between the local government and a sports team, fostering greater public awareness.

Last week, the Mariner’s also allowed their eager fans to view a live stream of their friendly match against Weston Bears FC on Facebook. Sponsored by a major radio station Sea FM, the social media post has been viewed over 19,000 times.

The match was entertaining because its live stream had an unrestricted rawness to it. In an unorthodox move, the game announcers took a chance by interviewing Ziggy Gordon during proceedings.

From the sideline, the Scottish defender praised two goals from the Mariner’s Jordon Murray in two minutes. “He’s obviously been listening to me. He’s got really good ear plugs in.

“If he’s smart, and has a good attitude, which he does, we’ve got a really good player on our hands,” Gordon predicated in the 56′ minute, sounding more like a skilful coach than a champion defender.

While most media-trained footballers give robotic answers on Foxtel, Gordon’s online tactical appraisal was refreshing. Then again, you wouldn’t expect anything less from a former chess prodigy.

With a cohesive group of leaders, Central Coast has the ability to play final’s football this season. For the sake of keeping the A-League competitive, it’s something many football fans would want to see.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/08/16/mariners-awakening-leadership-meets-community-engagement/


I think, in all fairness, Maitland were supporting their own team financially not us. But it's nice to read some positive press again, and the 3 main player assessments are accurate and encouraging.
 

Capn Gus Bloodbeard

Well-Known Member
http://ccfootball.com.au/2019/08/16...hkmWany69O7Y0ys2HIyD7UII9kBM3lMDl_vO2rhOiEx2s

The Central Coast Mariners are excited to join forces with Central Coast Football ahead of the local finals series in a joint initiative to reward all local players who have progressed through to the business end of the season.

Working in collaboration with Central Coast Football, the Central Coast Mariners are throwing their support behind local football on the Central Coast by rewarding the thousands of high performing local football teams on the Coast.










From the under 11’s to over 45’s, players participating in finals football on the Coast will earn rewards courtesy of Central Coast Football and the Central Coast Mariners.

The Central Coast Mariners players will also be making guest appearances at select finals football fixtures across the Central Coast.

Those who have earned their spot in finals football can expect to receive the following:

  • Every player who participates in the Mariners Finals Series will receive a FREE ticket to the Club’s first home game of the season at Central Coast Stadium against the Newcastle Jets (Saturday, 19 October).
  • Every player in the under 11’s age group who wins a Grand Final will receive a MyClub Membership.
  • Every player from under 12’s and above who wins a Grand Final will receive a three-game membership that can be used at any three Central Coast Mariners home games at Central Coast Stadium during the season.
  • Every player over the age of 18 who wins a Grand Final will receive a post-game celebratory beer courtesy of the Mariners.


Central Coast Football Chief Executive Officer Darren Sprod thanked the Mariners for supporting grass roots football on the Central Coast.

“As the local season reaches its most exciting period and the Mariners ramp up their pre-season preparations, it’s great that both Central Coast Football and the Central Coast Mariners can work together to reward the grass roots football community,” Sprod said.

“There’s no better feeling in football than winning a Grand Final, so to have the Mariners come on board to reward all of the players who are taking part in finals football is a real coup for the junior and senior competitions.

“It’s great that the Central Coast Mariners players have committed to attending some of the junior Grand Final days and a fantastic opportunity for the young ones to meet their local heroes,” Sprod said.

Central Coast Mariners CEO and Kariong Cougars O35’s striker, Shaun Mielekamp spoke of his excitement regarding the Mariners’ partnership with CCF, but also his disappointment of not making the finals series himself.

“The Mariners are extremely proud to partner with Central Coast Football for the finals series,” Mielekamp said. “It is a credit the CCF board, Darren Sprod and his great team, on what has been yet another exciting season of football on the Coast.

“It’s a shame that my own teammates at Kariong O35’s lift their game and qualify for the finals, but all jokes aside, it is great that players from U11’s through to O45’s will get rewarded for their efforts and results this year.

“I encourage everyone to get along to as many finals matches as you can and show your colours to support your local club. In particular the BPL and WPL finals games will be worth the trip, after watching my fair share of games this season, it’s clear to see the quality improving every year.

“Good luck to everyone who is participating in the finals, including our Central Coast Mariners Academy, Central Coast United and our A-League boys who have a round of 16 FFA Cup clash with Brisbane Roar on the 28th of September,” Mielekamp said
 

Tevor

Well-Known Member
Interesting that players socialising hadnt been a priority.
Lots of interesting little points of difference, shows Mulvey really was a pretender with no idea on player management or culture building despite all he said he was going to change in his pre season interviews. Simon and Weemac alone was not going to a build culture. Wonder who the secret Mariner is?
 

Ancient Mariner

Well-Known Member
Adrian Deans is a Mariners supporter who lives at Avoca. His books are well worth reading. I particularly liked his first book Mr. Cleansheets, a ripping yarn that was impossible to put down. Beg, borrow or steal a copy. Highly recommended.

I suspect the secret Mariner is more than one player added to some astute observations.
 

Forum Phoenix

Well-Known Member
Interesting that players socialising hadnt been a priority.

Yeah it really is isn’t it. That’s why I think the ‘secret player’ knows it actually is a big deal.

In a ‘big’ club all the resources, pride, history and ego can help bind a clubs players into feeling like they’re a unit. But when you’re a ‘little’ club let alone a badly struggling or spooning little club. Essential everyone buys in and come together. No it’s no buts.

Lawrie with the help of players like Hutch and Wilko, did this so incredibly well. Then Arnie too. And since then... well, we’ve gone backwards in almost every way. But you want it to change, then a minimum of talent is required in the squad, underpinned by a proper culture and relationship with the supporters, that is then backed up by consistent and demonstrable respect for the region and pride in the badge. It’s as fundamental as spending on players. Because otherwise even if you spend on some new quality, you still won’t get change. It’s apparent in so many club, but ManU is probably the most obvious recent example I can think of.

You can tip as many beautiful fresh apples as you like onto a barrel with rotten ones beneath, and you’ll just end up with the same rotten results.

Staj has had the left over sludge and gunk of 4 coaches and multiple poor management/ownership decisions to try and scrape off. We know it’s a long way from spotless still, but it’s definitely looking cleaner and cleaner the more time he’s given to scrub.

Will it be enough for the season...? Too hard to know. It depends on everyone else’s performances, not just your own.

My belief though from what I’ve seen so far is if we can keep our best CB’s on the park, that we’ll be competitive.

And I’m never going to say I’m happy with anything but the spoon. I won’t be. I’d just be slightly happier than if we copped it. No, in an 11 team comp, 6th, or at least strongly competing and close to getting into the finals and I’ll be genuinely happy. Anything else will just be varying shades of disappointment.
 
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