Did you see Matt Simon’s post-game interview last Monday?
Not only did it sum up the Mariners’ gloomy season, it also encapsulated half a decade worth of fan frustration.
After the Gosford club’s draw with the Wanderers, one cryptic sentence said it all from the legendary player.
“Five or six years of bad decisions is going to take a little while to fix,” he lamented, looking like a broken man.
Talk about a smoking gun. Such a tormented confession was worthy of deeper analysis. Yet the interviewer failed to ask Simon to elaborate.
Had Angela Lansbury been on the case, I’m sure she would have asked: “Mr Simon, what exactly happened all those years ago?”
Fans had the right to know whether this was an issue with management, coaches or other players.
As if by symbolic fate, as Simon pressed on, a giant MasterFoods sauce bottle limply deflated behind the tired player. Here was a visual metaphor worthy of a Hollywood script.
“It’s been quite tough for this club,” Simon continued.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
“There’s no easy fix to that.”
“There’s a salary cap. You can’t just flick a switch. Unless, someone’s got unlimited money.”
Maybe it was unintentional, but in his last home game of the season, Simon was taking a thinly veiled swipe at the powers that be. It sounded like an ownership issue.
However, before you handcuff the Mariners’ boss Mike Charlesworth, consider his presumption of innocence.
In February this year, as strange as it sounds, Charlesworth openly called for the end to the A-League salary cap.
“I’d scrap the cap and create a complete environment which would enable clubs to trade, buy and sell players,” he said.
For the A-League naysayers, this quote bleeds irony. How can a financially conservative owner support such a risky proposition?
Clearly Charlesworth doesn’t want to over-spend on his team, but he’s okay with other clubs taking that chance.
Central Coast will always be part of football.
However, if you piece enough clues together, it points to them barley surviving in the second division.
JimJams
Roar Rookie
I think you are missing the point. I don't think he wants to spend his way out of this, he wants to be able to develop and sell players. If there was a football economy, especially around youth, nurturing clubs like CC Mariners could build wealth by developing and showcasing talent and selling talent for transfer fees. Without that economy, there is seemingly no way out.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Seeing Dylan Ruiz-Diaz last night was an encouraging sign. His goals were fantastic and highlighted the emergence of fostering younger players. By all means, both Alou Kuol and Sam Silvera can be added to the list. It's agreed that valuable players can also be long-term investments for the club, especially a team who struggles financially.
Tracy Southern
Guest
I'd say Mike's position is more about the ability to get funds to internally transfer Australian talent to other Australian clubs than paying more for players with the demolition of the salary cap. CCM have been able to make good cash selling players but have never been able to do it locally, and opening up that possibility would be a game changer for them. It would be interesting to look more closely his payment for players proposal, 'cause I'm sure his focus is selling players not buying them.
pete4
Guest
I know it's his 1st season however for mine Stajcic seems to get his tactics & team selection wrong more often than not Actually add Popovic to that list. That's where the Mariners need invest in next
Brendan
Roar Pro
Both Rudan and Talay are quality coaches, there’s no doubting that. Such a investment would also entice elite players to the Central Coast. I like Alen Stajcic, but someone like Tony Popovic would have better A-League connections.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Very valid points, Marcel. As a fan of the underdog, I’d be keen on the Mariner’s spending beyond the salary cap and approaching genuine marquee players, as opposed to Jamaican sprint stars. Indeed, hosting a Women’s World Cup match in 2023 would put Gosford on the map. I predict by that stage, Charlesworth will have a controlling interest in the management of the stadium, pending financial investment from other parties. Currently the club is sitting on geographical gold mine, and Charesworth knows it. In the meantime, the patient fans play the waiting game.
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
Sorry , how does the ffa pay the salary cap ? If you mean through income from Foxtel, well that income is generated by clubs who have to pay players, the ffa does not sign players and give them to clubs . Does the fox money per club, cover the cap Hopefully the mariners can turn it around.
pete4
Guest
The fix is to sign Mark Rudan or Ufuk Talay as their next coach Even with the same squad would become a mid-table team
Coastyboi
Guest
I’m surprised Matt Simon was so reserved. He knows more than he’s letting on.
Marcel
Guest
In these type of conversations it's worth remembering that the FFA pays 100% of the salary cap plus 100% of flight costs ... basically a UBI for the clubs...whose only job is to make a profit. I'd love for my business to have that kind of sugar daddy. I hope the Mariners can turn things around..recent performances have been encouraging. They just need a little luck to start winning again. It's rusted on League territory on the Coast...but like everywhere, the kids love futbol. The FFA could do them a favour by scheduling some Matilda's and smaller Socceroos fixtures in the exceptional Gosford stadium.