The Mariners are still confident that Russian investment will happen but the club is not relying on it to survive, according to Central Coast general manager of football Lawrie McKinna.
A former coach of the Mariners, McKinna has rejoined the club after nearly two years spent coaching in China.
“It’s all been signed off on [the Russians], and there still hopeful it’s all going to come through,” McKinna says.
“But, as far as a I know, the club’s not relying on that and they’re looking at ways of keeping the club going.”
McKinna spoke extensively with The Roar at the Mariners’ Tuggerah base about the state of the club, the boost of Graham Arnold re-signing and the playing squad.
The former NSL player and coach also talked about keeping Tom Rogic and Patrick Zwaanswijk, the prospect of signing a marquee and his new role at the club.
Watch the full interview below.
Follow John on Twitter: @johnnyddavidson
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thank you John for this video interview. Not sure how I missed it earlier. Terrific stuff and hope it becomes are regular part of your Roar contributions.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Cheers guys. Funny you should mention that Bondy, have a video going live today from the Wallabies camp and another interview coming soon with a former Wallaby.
whiskeymac
Guest
agree with all the comments re: the roar and the interview and choice of subject. good work. borat high fives all round.
Bondy
Well done guys, I think Lawrie made the point we've always struggled $$ it hasn't mattered when , but I think still its a herculian performance by the Mariners to win the comp being the smallest 'regional ' team in the comp ,when you have a look at the difference between us and the victory . Mid makes some good points there about this website , also regardless of financial situation it would be hard to envisage the mariners going backward next season, to me their intention is to be right in the thick of it next year as well, look forward to Lawrie talking about China . I hope you enjoy the interviews John , you might want to do something for the Rugby boys .
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Also hopefully interviewing Paul Okon over the next few weeks.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Thanks guys for the support and feedback. Was shot at a cafe near the Mariners head office, near the COE but unfortunately it was unavailable otherwise that would have been a great spot. Lawrie was a great subject, he doesn't hold back and give his opinions freely. Coming up we have him talking about the A-League in general, the demise of Gold Coast United and his experiences coaching in the Chinese Super League.
Midfielder
Guest
John I think you shot this at the Mariners Centre of Excellence... Would love if you could get someone at the club to walk you tho the COE and show it off.. Key things would be * The club itself i.e. inside and outsides shots of bars etc... * The Soccer5 set up... *The 3/4 field training pitch... * The full field training pitch.... * Change rooms... * Existing building to be torn down... * Show where the new gym facilities are going... If you could get Peter Turnbull detailing the timing schedule of the COE, add the Mariners two academy teams i.e. Central Coast & Western NSW both with teams from U 12 up playing in the state two league and how this revolves via the technical development at the COE I am sure it would go down well with the football public...
nordster
Guest
Yeah well done Roar and John excellent to see these interviews from club level. The coverage on here can seem a little broad at times, still good ...but the more of this 'on the ground' stuff the better. The challenges of a small club like CCM can be a real positive in some ways. Helps galvanize support locally. And makes all the more relevant the pioneering work they are doing at academy level. Having kids in the Mariners system will help build crowds at first team level also. Long term I'd like to see more flexibility so they can reduce their costs and wages further during lean times. It would be sad to see other clubs go under if they can't financially keep up with teams from larger regions. This new investment could be great but should it fall through for them or other clubs ...there should also be an option to spend far, far below this salary cap system when the need arises. Yes the aim is for the next media deal to cover the cap, long term though this may not be advisable either. Anyways thats a whole long debate I'll veer away from for today!
Midfielder
Guest
Mods & Owners [Hi Zac] Please let me applaud the Roar on your recent interviews with Ian Crook & Lawrie... I joined the Roar in its very early days and have promoted it on a number of Football forums and with friends... The mainstream Australian media's mindset has and is with the NRL & AFL... especially the electronic [TV & Radio]... Further in Australia we have very few independent media outlets... I have struck with the Roar tho thick and sometimes thin ...BECAUSE YOU HAVE AS MANY PAID FOOTBALL FOLK AS YOU DO FOR THE OTHER CODES AND TREAT FOOTBALL WITH RESPECT... for this I thank you very much... John well done to you for taking this step of interviewing people I tho of that myself but never had the time nor the knowledge ...To the interview .... HHHHMMMM ... overall not bad, better than the Ian Crook and I am sure John by the time you interview Frank Lowy it will be better... two things choose your site a little better there was a bit to much traffic noise in the background.... if budget allows take the person being interviewed from a different angle sometimes ... my overall rating is 10 out of 10 for were you are in the process and the guts to get it done... NOW to what LM said I love the guy he just talks straight runs away from no topic, the juniors he spoke about are all great kids and will put pressure on the first team... as he said the club has back up plans should the vodka not arrive ... John thanks for a job well done... hang in there mate
Midfielder
Guest
POSTED TO EARLY SEE NEXT POST [MUST BE THE jw HIT THE WRONG BUTTON}
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
That was a fair comment we have now heard for almost a whole season that the Russians are coming you tell me where they are on board???
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Speaking of broken records QSAF... thanks for contributing nothing. Roar Mods.