The Newcastle Jets sit six points behind the reigning champions from the Harbour City, after some very barren years, which saw the Novocastrians burn through coaches at an alarming rate, survive the horror of the Tinkler ownership era, and not come close to making a finals appearance.
However, the club may have made its most important signing in June 2016, with the appointment of Lawrie McKinna as chief executive.
When it comes to contributions to the A-League, Lawrie McKinna’s name must rank right near the top of the list. He was the inaugural coach of the Central Coast Mariners and took the fledgling team to the grand final in the league’s first season – a feat they repeated in 2008.
He moved into a managerial position with the Mariners when Graham Arnold took the clipboard, which ultimately led to their first A-League title.
McKinna insisted that the club’s players and staff engage with the community, making the small organisation such a raging early success story. More than a coach, he was a community liaison and game promoter, often heard on local radio stations, giving his all to the job of not only coaching the team, but getting the Central Coast public invested.
One of the greatest games in A-League history occurred during this era – a midweek game that broke the ground record at Central Coast Stadium on December 22nd, 2007, when Sydney FC scored a penalty with the last kick of the game to win a classic match 5-4.
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McKinna was so popular on the coast he became the Mayor of Gosford.
But after the amalgamation of the council with Wyong, and a brief dabble in federal politics, he yearned to return to his first love. An offer to help out the beleaguered Mariners, who were close to sinking into Brisbane Waters in what became known as the Walmsley era, was declined.
Instead, the team at the northern end of the F3 derby acquired his services.
Football in Newcastle has such a chequered history at national league level, it could star in its own drama series.
Passionate, turbulent, fractious, united and divisive in almost any given month, Newcastle remains one of the great football cities, with a history longer than any sport anywhere in Australia.
Now, after a season to settle in, McKinna is once again proving himself the great fixer and uniter of the game. He has brought rival support groups together, increased the team’s off-field presence, re-engaging the club with a knowledgeable and therefore wary football community.
Acquiring the services of highly successful coach Ernie Merrick with local legend Clayton Zane as his assistant has proved a success. In a season where crowds have been a concern, the Jets have bucked the trend, with a healthy increase in support, highlighted by almost 30,000 fans at the last two home games, against the Mariners and the Roar.
The Jets presently sit comfortably in second place after 16 rounds, a seven-point buffer on third-placed Melbourne City accentuated by a goal difference 16 to the better.
This from a club widely tipped to add to their wooden spoon collection in 2018.
Lawrie McKinna might use wooden spoons to stir his porridge but he has no need for them in football. The A-League need more like him.
Rhonda Blackwell
Roar Rookie
Thanks buddy, it’s been a few years since writing that post of mine so I apologise for not seeing your comment. Hope all is great with you & your family Kanga Ugarchovic.
apaway
Roar Guru
Thank you Ronnie. Yes, Christine is a fabulous person, they make a great team.
Kanga ugarchovic
Guest
Good observation Rhonda Go the jets
Rhonda Blackwell
Roar Rookie
I read, then re'read the article about Lawrie which I adore.!! But now after reading all of these great post scripts I feel Newcastle has not only the best A-League FC but some pretty genuine supporters of this great game. ⚽️❤️? ⚽️❤️?⚽️❤️?
Rhonda Blackwell
Roar Rookie
Most Australian's who have European ancestors passed down the correct term for this game football since colonisation. Football has been in place for centuries in England possibly starting with Roman occupiers Diverse sporting culture with Rugby League followers calling there game also Football has made using the term Soccer easier to identify especially for children. Also some kids identify with the word "Soccer" due to our men's Representative team named the "Socceroo's" ! I hope this helps you out as most reports on the subject are more confusing than my post. ⚽️❤️
apaway
Roar Guru
You are right, Matt. Balgownie are the oldest current football club in the country, with Hunter-based teams like Adamstown Rosebuds not far behind in age.
"Ronnie B Good"
Guest
Hi Apaway, I love your story about the "God"of Newcastle. If I had my way I'd tell you the rest of the article that's missing without a hindered doubt. So... my husband Todd & I have made a vow of silence in Lawrie's name. He is far more a "Man of Men" whose heart is bigger than our new scoreboard. I'm sure Lawrie would agree that without his loving & beautiful wife Christine behind him, his outstanding achievements as a player, coach & Lord Mayor would not have been as easy as he made it look. Thank you for highlighting this great man in your positive story that needs to be read by all. Cheers ⚽️❤️?⚽️❤️?
Kanga Baartz
Guest
Spot on
Mark
Guest
An excellent example of how community engagement can build interest and engagement in a team. It’s a far cry from some other A-League club CEOs who, in the face of stagnant or declining attendances, do nothing to engage with their community and instead sit back and whinge that the FFA doesn’t promote them enough (god forbid they do any work to promote themselves), the FFA doesn’t schedule their games right, whatever other excuse is flavor of the month.
Kanga Baartz
Guest
Jardel is a jets legend
Franko
Guest
Gorman or McKinna, probably McKinna ought to be in Head Office on Oxford st.
Fadida
Guest
What about Kanga Jardel?
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Lawrie McKinna for Mayor! Oh, wait a minute . . . Great personality and ambassador for the game. I had the pleasure of hearing Lawrie speak and met him at a business leaders forum on the Central Coast. He's helped set up the Mariners and put them on the road to financial stability with the COE and the commercial assets they have developed. Very astute businessman as well as football brain. His golden touch helping the rise of the Jets again. Lyall Gorman had the same sort of impact setting up the Wanderers and returning the Cronulla Sharks to a premiership winning club. I hope they give an A-League Franchise to teh Cronulla Sutherland bid and Lyall Gorman becomes their CEO. He should one day be CEO of the FFA. They would certainly then move in the right direction.
Kanga Ernie
Guest
Midfielder Baartz. That’s the ultimate tribute. I met the man a few times in his shop. Such a humble man . He was so unlucky to be fouled out of the World Cup in 1972 by a Uruguay in a friendly . Not many people know that ray baartz spent a few years at Manchester United also .
Midfielder
Guest
What about Kanga Baartz
Kanga Ernie
Guest
How do you know I’m not merrick?? My philosophy on football is 9 players in attack , Ben kantarovski in the middle and a goalkeeper.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I've been waiting for Kanga Merrick to make an appearance :-P That guy is the real driver of the Kanga clan...
Bruce
Guest
Who me ?
Kanga Hoffman
Guest
Cheers griffo
punter
Guest
Kanga you have as many different names as Grobbelaar.