Australian forward Mitch Austin will return home from a stint with Cambridge United in England’s lower leagues after signing a two-year-deal with the Central Coast Mariners.
The 24-year-old headed to England after being spotted by Rotherham playing for Manly United as a youngster.
Coach Tony Walmsley has been watching the 186cm Austin’s development and says his pace and agility will be valuable assets for the Mariners.
“He can go down the outside of players, has an excellent cross and gives us genuine width on the left hand side,” Walmsley said.
“The A-League is going to be demanding, but it’s going to give him a chance to shine and we believe he can play at a higher level.”
Austin is due to return to NSW next month and will have a full preparation with the Mariners before the season starts.
The left footer says he’s been watching A-League from England, where all games are shown live, and is hoping to make the Mariners’ starting 11.
He’s had to sharpen his skills amidst England’s tough playing environment and is ready to cement his A-League position, he said.
“Over there you are fighting for wins every single week,” he said.
“I’m used to taking a touch and getting smashed so I’ve gained a lot from that and I’m now quicker on the ball.”
Former English Premier League striker Roy O’Donovan will join Austin as a new face at the Mariners camp in July.
The 29-year-old Irishman played under Roy Keane at Sunderland and also had spells with Blackpool, Coventry and Northampton.
His most recent stint was with Brunei DPMM FC in Singapore’s S.League, where he managed to bag 15 goals in 24 appearances.
fadida
Guest
Last time I checked McGlinchey, Paartalu and Mooy came from Scotland, not England ;)
Batou
Guest
These guys would be really cheap too.
Batou
Guest
Agree mid. A few others that spring to mind would be Mooy and Paartalu (not at the mariners of course). Of course there have been duds as well, but the A-League has seen plenty of duds from all over the world including loads of Brazilians.
Waz
Guest
Another insightful comment LordBrucie, if only you'd added something like "support for assoc football in England is overrated" I could have challenged you but no, you had to say something sensible!! There's no guarantee any player will do well but there are enough rough diamonds in the European lower leagues (Berisha is the best example but even Jamie Young at Roar in the latter stages of last season) to make gambles like this worthwhile. The quality of coaching in the HAL and the competitive nature of the league sort the good out from the bad pretty quickly. Comparisons though with the MLS are rather pointless as the two leagues are poles apart commercially, the continued success of the MLS remains an inspiration for the HAL and if we keep on working at it we will achieve our goals but need to be realistic that it won't simply happen in a few years just because we want it to. By the time we look like "catching" MLS I think we'll all find they've moved on and overtaken many of the European leagues. One final thought - when the hell does the A League start again ..... I'M MISSING IT ALREADY!!!
LordBrucie
Guest
These ordinary players from England's lower leagues will be more than capable of playing in the a league. The a league has been packed with players with similar 'careers' since its inception ten years ago. To suggest, as fadida does, that they won't cope due to their poor technique is laughable in the extreme! The quality of players going to the a league and those going to the MLS has become vast though. They get Lampard, Gerrard and Drogba and we get these guys!
Midfielder
Guest
Big call and totally wrong ... weeMac, Monty to name just two
Chris
Guest
O'Donovan has an excellent record at S.League level, but his lower league career in the UK was truly that of a journeyman without any great stints anywhere. I agree that history has shown that the A-League is often a bridge too far for these types of players. Austin's most notable stint is England was at sixth-tier level. Seems like an odd one to recruit, even though he is a 24 year old Aussie. But you never know. I'd hardly expect CCM are pinning all their hopes on this pair for the next season. If so, it may be a long one.
fadida
Guest
The Mariners are collecting lower league English players, which history shows struggle in the A-League. The future is not English Mr Walmsley. Get it in the mixer!!!!!!
fadida
Guest
The Mariners are collecting lower league players from the UK. History shows they struggle in the A-League, poor technique being a major issue. The future is not English Mr Walmsley. Get it in the mixer!!!!!!