Big structural change coming for A-League

That is shit darts, but on the plus side, caught early it is a very treatable form of cancer. As a survivor myself(Brain) I can guarantee that this will do wonders for Dylan's mental strength. Nothing forces you to focus on what's important to you like hearing the dreaded c-word dropped on you by a doctor. If being the best damned footballer he can be is in his heart and mind's eye, then this has the potential to spur him onwards, once he gets the all-clear of course, which I'm sure we all hope and pray for. On another plus note, the twitter-verse is abuzz with current Socceroos contacting the young(16) fella to offer their support. Craig Moore(himself a testicular cancer survivor) has already been in touch as has Mark Schwartzer, and former 'roo Craig Foster. Demonstrates the bond that the senior team has despite their many months between competitive games!

Sad news. Just been announced on FFA website that Dylan Tombides has testicular cancer. Is undergoing chemotheraphy. Not sure if this news has been shown elsewhere.

Fuss This would put the wind up anyone...

You could see this coming. This group have been itching to flex their muscles for ages, and this is a good an opportunity as any to do it.

Some very sad news just reported on the FFA Website, with star young Aussie striker Dylan Tombides diagnosed with cancer and has already started his first course of chemotherapy in London. Former, Aussie champion, Craig Moore, who was diagnosed with the same cancer two and a half years ago, has been providing support to Dylan over the past few weeks. Source: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem_new&id=40437 I echo the thoughts of FFA CEO Ben Buckley in saying: "Our hearts go out to Dylan and his family" ... get well mate and looking forward to seeing you back on the pitch, taking opponents apart at Upton Park.

Interesting read . ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/26/europe-top-clubs-fifa-revolt ) .

Fussball. Yes a cunning question i've just finished googleing the stadia capacity for docklands 53.300 for afl close enough for me . The rub is pick between ammi park or docklands if you think suncorp isn't the biggest stadia .

Actually, Bondy you were not wrong - Docklands/Etihad is, in fact, bigger than Lang Park/Suncorp. However, the question in the quiz was tricky b/c it referred to "whose home ground is the biggest: MVFC, Brisbane, Perth or Sydney" ... and, MVFC's home ground in AAMI Park not Docklands!

Yeah, I had to think about that one... ...and use fingers to work out when the great A-League first started. 10/10 but with breath held...isn't that always the way in exams, I mean quizzes.

To be honest, I wonder about the potential 'equality' issue as well. Tinkler seems focussed on building great clubs regardless of the sport (next on the list seems to be a revival of a Newcastle basketball club in same kit) so hopefully not much of an issue. Will all come down to money and whether the clubs after a certain period will be expected to be making their own way. Fingers crossed both clubs get what they need to grow, whether that means the exact same dollars or not remains to be seen. As for Breakers stadium - no idea the full background there. Although Number 1 sportsground will be getting seating on three sides, Newcastle could do with a smaller rectangular stadium. If the trot track doesn't go, the Senior Jaffas home ground down the road, Arthur Edden Oval, could be ripe for an upgrade for Jets Youth team to play out of ;-)

The Cattery . Your providing Quiz's very good , i got 8-10 i'll just say this one of them is a trick question, if you think the biggest A league stadium is docklands or etihad like me your wrong it's suncorp with 52,500 .

Griffo Well done to Middy... great to see a CEO talking directly to the fans... The common club think so far seems great .... looks like it will produce many benefits ... but at the back of my head I thinking what team means more to NT ... and will there be pecking order .... Just hope the Jets don't get lost in the grand scheme of things... but without doubt better than before... I still wonder aloud how / why / Breaker stadium was transformed from a nice 12 to 14 K football stadium to a race track...

Mid, I see the CCM at again ticking all the right boxes.

News just keeps coming ..... Mariners agree partnership with Central Coast Radio Wednesday, 27 July 2011 0 0Email0 Central Coast Mariners have today agreed to an official partnership with Central Coast Radio for the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season. Incorporating 2GO (107.7FM) and SEA FM (101.3FM), Central Coast Radio were an official partner of the Mariners for the clubs’ inaugural Hyundai A-League campaign in 2005/06. Central Coast Radio General Manager, Mr Paul Wrigley, said the company is delighted to link with the Yellow and Navy again heading into an exciting phase in the clubs’ development. “Both 2GO and SEA FM are extremely pleased and proud to be partnering with the Central Coast Mariners for the forthcoming season,” he said. “The Mariners are an integral part of the community and mirror our values, so we look forward to a successful year ahead both on and off the field.” Central Coast Mariners CEO, Mr John McKay, echoed Wrigley’s sentiments. “2GO and SEA FM were amongst the first to partner the Mariners when the Club was formed and we had some great success together back in those early seasons of the competition which we are intent on surpassing in season seven of the Hyundai A-League,” he said. With the partnership effective immediately, McKay added the alliance would aid the Mariners 2011/12 Membership campaign which ramps up this weekend. “It’s great to be back on board with Central Coast Radio, and we are already off and running starting with a major Membership drive for the upcoming season this weekend,” he said. On Saturday, the Mariners will open their early-bird price period for new Members with events at Erina Fair and Westfield Tuggerah between 11am and 2pm. Mariners players and coaching staff will be present at both venues signing autographs, posing for pictures and mingling with fans between 12 and 1pm. ABOUT THE STATIONS · 2GO offers the Central Coast the Widest Variety of music, with The Sarah and Dwayne for Breakfast Show providing a local entertaining look at topical events within the community. · SEA FM is the number 1 Hit Music Station on the Central Coast, home to Paddy, Ciel and Dan, playing the biggest hits and attracting the biggest celebrities.

Very funny The agreement was very clever in the last election and in a very marginal seat ... needing only a handful of votes to change .. I think pre the last election the seat held with the least votes or close to it away... Well Julia promised 10 million to help with the development of the COE.... however the offer to the ALP was the facilities will be available to the greater public of the CC when not in use by the various Mariner teams... The libs offered no such thing .... Labour held the seat against all the odds even with the seating member sacked for attacking staff at a local bar... Shows how we are starting to enter the hearts of the Coastie's ...

"All these facilities will be made available for public use as well as for Mariners Hyundai A-League, Youth and Academy players, providing an elite training and recovery base for the people of the Central Coast." What do the people of the Central Coast need "an elite training and recovery base" for? They're all too busy at the moment sitting around in tracksuits watching TV. :lol:

Had to put this somewhere Central Coast Mariners Sporting Campus – Ground Breaking Ceremony On Thursday 28 July, 2011, Central Coast Mariners will hold a media opportunity at Club Tuggerah, celebrating the commencement of work on Stage One of the state-of-the-art Central Coast Mariners Sporting Campus. In attendance will be Minister for Sport, Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, and Social Housing and Homelessness, the Honourable Senator Mark Arbib. A number of other dignitaries will also be present, including FFA Head of the Hyundai A-League, Mr Lyall Gorman, Central Coast Mariners Chairman, Mr Peter Turnbull, Managing Director of North Construction, Mr Tim Cornish, Federal Member for Dobell, Mr Craig Thomson, and Mayor of Wyong Shire Council, Mr Doug Eaton. Central Coast Mariners will have a strong presence on the day, with Head Coach Graham Arnold, Assistant Coach Phil Moss, and players Matthew Simon, Josh Rose, Mat Ryan, Patrick Zwaanswijk and Brad Porter, in attendance. Development of Stage One of the Central Coast Mariners Sporting Complex includes the construction of a ten court 5-a-side Soccer Centre, an Aquatic and Hydrotherapy Centre, a tournament sized football field, an Amenities Block, as well as associated infrastructure. All these facilities will be made available for public use as well as for Mariners Hyundai A-League, Youth and Academy players, providing an elite training and recovery base for the people of the Central Coast.

Hopefully sooner than later in youth development philosophy and facilities...Jets looking at Newcastle Uni right now perhaps with some expansion plans in mind (they train at Ray Watt Oval on Callaghan campus). Jets CEO Robbie Middleby's recent post about their move into the one building with Knights and Hunter Sports Group said that the Knights CEO office was 'right next door', so I expect the 'one club, many sports' mantra is in full swing. http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=40401 Personally can't wait to see the new strip...long off season I guess.

I got 9 out of 10 .... but interesting that it is even mentioned in England ...

Griffo I think under Tinkler the Jets will follow suit .... Football's always been very big in Newcastle and one of the few areas in Australia were Football gets good media without any bias, from generally a knowledgeable press... Be interesting this year to see the Jets in Knights colours... IMO it is a great idea and given the common ownership I suspect things like medical staff etc to be shared and cheaper for both teams... However I am very proud of what the Mariners have done and are still doing ... it has taken years to get this far with the COE at its centre ... maybe five years away from being finished... But stahes one & two of the development pertaining to building and some training fields is under way.... and should be finished within a year from now... As an aside, part of stage one is building 6 [I think] Fustal fields.... and to do so requires tearing up the existing tennis courts... HHMMMMMmmmm shows the difference in the relative support both sports have from say 20 years ago...