The Central Coast Mariners have finally won the A-League grand final, in their fourth appearance.
The team has been in existence since the A-League’s first season in 2005/06, but silverware has been elusive despite Premierships in 2007/08 and 2011/12.
In 2012/13, the Mariners seemed to be the perfect mix of experience and youth, and finished second in the overall regular standings despite losing star midfielder Tomas Rogic mid-season.
Other dramas unfolded during the season, such as the delay of player and coaching staff payments prior to the club ownership turning over to Mike Charlesworth, as well as the documentary ‘The code’ being filmed behind the scenes.
The club is still in the midst of its Asian Champions League campaign, but the question on many fans’ lips will be regarding the squad for the 2013/14 A-League season. It’s very likely that the squad that takes the pitch for the first match in October will be dramatically different to the one that defeated Western Sydney in the grand final.
49-year-old coach Graham Arnold, who’s been open about his desire to seek employment overseas, has also been mentioned by many as a possible successor to Holger Osieck as Socceroos’ coach after the latter’s contract ends. However, in interviews held after the final, Arnold mentioned that he would see out his contract with the Mariners, which expires after the 2013/14 season.
Whilst the club ownership will surely offer Arnold an extension, it’s quite reasonable to assume that Arnold will move onto the next challenge if a promising offer comes along. Owner Mike Charlesworth has all but guaranteed that no other A-League club will be able to prise Arnold away from the Mariners, if he chooses to stay on Australian shores.
Mariners goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, winner of A-League Young Player of the Year twice, has received interest from French Ligue 1 club Lille. Ryan, 21, has already been capped for Australia and has started three A-League seasons, winning A-League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011/12.
He’s had trials previously with Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion and Rangers FC, and it seems like it would be a miracle for Ryan to still be a Mariner next season.
In recent interviews, Ryan stressed that the English style of football did not fit immediately well with his body type, and that he was predisposed to a move to a club on the European mainland. Ryan will visit Lille whenever the Mariners’ Asian Champions League run comes to a close.
Nigerian-born Mariner Bernie Ibini-Isei also has a chance with Lille, after going on trial with Belgium’s Club Brugge in mid-season. Ibini has had four seasons with the Mariners, and has come on as a regular starter in 2012/13, providing some darting runs and a useful 13 goals over the last two seasons.
Ibini’s path to European success may be slightly more difficult than his more highly-regarded teammate Ryan, but Ibini is only 20 and has shown more than enough to earn a spot somewhere.
There’s one other European club with its eye on the Mariners – FC Basel, in the Swiss Super League. Mariners’ Player of the Year Trent Sainsbury had an outstanding season filling in at centre-back for ex-captain Alex Wilkinson, and has received a call-up to the Socceroos for his efforts. He’s also got interest from the Bolton Wanderers, Southampton and Roda JC.
Coach Arnold recently commented that he sees one more A-League season as beneficial for Sainsbury, who’s only had 2012/13 in the starting line-up.
On the other end of the spectrum, 38-year-old defender Patrick Zwaanswijk, Sainsbury’s partner in defence, is contemplating retirement from the playing field. Zwaanswijk has had a long career spanning 15 seasons, including three with the Mariners.
Rumour has it that Zwaanswijk may immediately transition into a coaching position with the Mariners, but it’s clear from his recent performances that he is more than capable of another season.
Golden Boot winner Danny McBreen is also without a contract for next season. Before the 2012/13 season McBreen, 36, was reported to have been given a 10-goal target for the season by coach Graham Arnold to earn himself an extension.
McBreen has clearly delivered, scoring 17 this season and adding two more in the finals – yet there’s been no comment from the team regarding an extension for McBreen.
There seems to be some cause for concern for Mariners fans going into 2013/14 – a team which in 2012/13 was full of talent, young and old, may be pulled apart by foreign clubs and the lure of retirement.
However, there is hope for those on the Central Coast. Coach Graham Arnold looks set to stay on, and the Mariners have come back from the loss of talented players before. New owner Mike Charlesworth, who’s settled all of the Mariners outstanding debts, may even be able to find the team a marquee player.
Expect to see a different breed of Central Coast Mariners in 2013/14, but don’t expect a different result.
Punter
Guest
One of the greats to play in the A-League, but unfortunately doesn't get the credit he deserves, but good on him to stay on in the Central Coast.
Midfielder
Guest
Gotta love how our club operates ... former players as youth coaches, at the International Football School... Clarky our fitness coach... Developing training methods for our local association .... Dutchie will be one of the latest ...
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss No its not part of the COE ... but both sides especially the school is trying to work how to work together ... The school is an investment by a guy ... he could have put it anywhere in the country... he chose the CC because we have the COE and youth academies .... If you look at the Mariners forum ... it starts off all happy then turns to questions and then the principal comes on to our forum on page 3 ... Fees are I think $ 4, 000.00 per year ...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy I have followed your comments about the CCM CoE - are you saying this school part of the CCM CoE? I was under the impression it was an independent school for Grade 5-Yr 12 but the curriculum will be designed for kids, who want to concentrate on aiming for careers in Football & Tennis.
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss Sorry forgot the link... http://ccmfans.net/community/index.php?threads/international-football-school.4704/
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss I wrote on it even posted a thread on it ... sent emails to the Gods at SBS ... no one spoke about it ... here is a link on our football forum and the principal even comes on and discusses issues a couple of posters had... I will try and keep this as simple as I can... and I am not the best writer >>> But... The Mariners provide the Central Coast Association representative teams programs and direction for their coaches ... essentially we have two coaches employed [former players BTW] who coach the coaches of both the CCA and WesternNSW Association... the programs are written supervised and coached at the COE .. essentially CCA rep coach works under the direction of our youth academy coaches.... The football school has also employed some former Mariner players as coaches .... who work closely with our youth coaches ... The Football school wants its students to play at the highest level on the weekends ... meaning playing in CCA teams... those good enough in the Football School team to make the CCA rep teams will be seen by former players at the school... be seen by our youth coaches who watch the CCA rep teams as this is defacto academy .... Meaning we get to look at the best youth train them at school in our youth academy ... and if they show promise put them in the Mariners youth squad when they leave school ............. COME ON FOZZIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE talk about it............ But we now have at the COE just look at this .... after us having a football selective school.... yet the headlines from SBS are South Melbourne to take us over ... We sack our CEO because we cannot afford to pay em... Existing and built... * Club and car park [was existing] * Car park extensions doubling the size of the car park.. * 11 small sided fields complete. * Gym facilities complete. * Coaches office and adm area complete. * Players lunch room also doubles for player meetings complete. * Bar facilities at the small sided fields complete. * Two state of the arc football fields complete. Under Construction * 130 room motel and conference centre ... walls seem up and roof is half on so not sure but well and truly under-way expected to be completed within 8 months. Still to be built. * Aquatic centre and sports science building ... refer article above construction due to start in about 2 months with a 14 to 16 months construction timeline. Under Discussion with Government * Floodlights and a grandstand for the main playing field.
nordster
Guest
and staying on as youth coach...they buried the lead a little on that announcement!
Cameron
Roar Guru
*BREAKING NEWS* Central Coast Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswijk has announced his retirement from football following their next ACL match. The Mariners are pleased to announce that Zwaanswijk will remain with the Club as Head of Youth & Community Football for the next three years. Under Zwaanswijk’s new portfolio, the 2013 Hyundai A-League Grand Final goalscorer will be the Club’s new National Youth League (NYL) Head Coach. http://m.footballaustralia.com.au/central-coast-mariners-news-display/Zwaanswijk-to-retire-following-Guangzhou-games/66962/
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy This has just been brought to my attention on Twitter - do you know much about it? http://www.internationalfootballschool.com/ Looks like an excellent initiative - creating a career path for future pro-footballers & an alternative career opportunity for ex-pro footballers. Looks like Central Coast wants to establish itself as AUS football's Garden of Eden! If it is successful, imagine the possibilities of such institutions opening in every capital city.
Kasey
Guest
One thing can be certain most years of the HAL...the Mariners will be predicted to finish either bottom or well out of the running, but every year they are there or thereabouts. Cudos to the entire CCM organisation. That feat is doubly hard to achieve considering their high turnover of players and in an equalised league such as ours.
Midfielder
Guest
Nigel In all 8 seasons of Hal aside from Hal 8 we have been expected to be bottom of the table fighting for the spoon... Every year we have added something to our youth academy .... we are the most successful of the A-League when 8 seasons are taken into account...won more games than anyone else, have the best home record, scored the second most goals, conceded the least number of goals....... all this on a shoe string budget but the best by light years youth development scheme I think only once not finishing in the finals... Our motto for years [hal 8 being the exception] was '''Nobody rates us, we don't care""" We have a new owner who was formerly a shareholder for a while.... time will tell if he is like prior owners ... My main concern given we have done so well with youth programs... others are now starting to do the same and with Poppa at the Drive Byes and Cranky [who I rate as the best spotter of young talent in Australia] with the Smurfs we no longer are the only eyes looking at young players anymore...and all other clubs are also looking at youth... This is where hopefully the COE will work... falls to one knee and say so much effort has gone into getting the best youth lets hope we can...
Kasey
Guest
If they [a random ‘big’ O/S club] do ‘buy a youth factory’. I just hope we’ve all learned from the NSL days. The death knell for Northern Spirit was the Rangers monogram appearing on the shirt. It instantly turned off all anti-rangers football fans from bothering. We all cringe when the effnik teams refer to themselves as Hellas or Craysha, becoming teams that don’t represent regions in the cities they play in but European countries. I would similarly hate to see Red Bull Gosford or Ajax Central Coast(don't laugh: Ajax Cape Town exist).
Cameron
Roar Guru
The loss of these players will be big but I believe Arnold had proven that he can handle this and is always preparing for such events to unfold. As for contract negotiations, these players and clubs may be waiting for the CBA to be organised. I was also aware that mariners would not look for a marquee. http://m.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/a-league-champions-central-coast-mariners-will-not-be-luring-a-marquee-player/story-fndejhj9-1226630305456
Franko
Guest
You would think foreign investors would be lining up for the debt free Mariners. They have been very successful at producing youth players ripe for o/s year after year. You would also guess that they would be one of the cheapest teams to buy. Ok, crowds aren’t great, but if you were looking to buy a youth factory in this part of the world, they would be first stop. Good luck to them, I look forward to seeing who they unearth next season.