2004-05: The Beginning

As the only regional applicant for a franchise in the FFA, Central Coast Mariners made it into the League by default. However, backing from former Australian player Alex Tobin and ‘Clean Up Australia’ personality Ian Kiernan had strengthened the Mariners proposal greatly.

With Ian Kiernan as chairman, the club were accepted into the FFA, and promptly appointed former Northern Spirit coach Lawrie McKinna as manager, and Ian Ferguson, formerly of Rangers and Northern Spirit as coach. The Mariners also created a link with local state team Central Coast United to assist the FFA in boosting the profile of the sport.

Although suffering some financial irregularities, manager Lawrie McKinna began the search for his ’star player’, and he was adamant that the player must not be looking at CCM as a retirement fund. McKinna’s first signing was local player Damien Brown, formerly of Newcastle Jets, who promptly declared that he was ‘over the moon’.

The Mariners also secured financial help after forming a partnership with Toshiba, and receiving a cash injection from local businessman John Singleton.

By December 2004, the club had built a steady foundation of player, and also signed former Perth Glory striker Nik Mrdja as their ’star player’.

2005-06: Early Success

In the 2005-06 season, the Mariners celebrated a Pre-Season Cup win at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, defeating Perth Glory 1-0 in the final. Their first competitive season was a resounding success, with the team finishing 3rd during the regular season, and only losing 1-0 to Sydney FC in front of a competition record 41,689 spectators.

2006-07: Disappointment

Prior to the 2006-07 season, the Mariners secured the signing of former Premiership, and current Australia defender Tony Vidmar on a two-year contract, However, the side only finished in 6th place in the League, and lost the Pre-Season Cup on penalties to Adelaide United after a 1-1 draw.

2007-08: A New Captain

Following the 2006-07 season, club captain Noel Spencer was signed by Sydney FC, and Alex Wilkinson was appointed captain. Although only 22 years old, Wilkinson had played in every competitive match for the Mariners up to his appointment.

Three successive victories saw the Mariners leap to the top of the A-League, and remain there for the majority of the season. Mrdja, Petrovski and Kwasnik were unarguably the most prolific strikers until the mid-season arrival of John Aloisi on a free transfer. Aloisi scored 7 times in 12 matches in the yellow and navy.

Three new attendance records were set, though sadly, all three ended in defeat. 17,514 witnessed what has been hailed as the ‘best ever match’ in the A-League as the Mariners went down 4-5 at home to Syndey.

18,686 saw Melbourne Victory come away from Bluetongue with a 5-2 victory, while 19,238 sat through a disappointing defeat to F3 rivals Newcastle Jets.

However, the League stage ended on a high as the Mariners beat Wellington Phoenix 2-0 in the final round to secure the crown of A-League Premiers.

Trivia

Their main rivals are Newcastle Jets, with matches known as the “F3 derby”, in reference to the unofficial designation of the Sydney-Newcastle freeway which joins the two clubs.

Notable players include Damien Mori (2006), all-time top scorer for the Australian national team, Tony Vidmar (2006-Present), the third most capped player for Australia, and coach Ian Ferguson, who made 9 appearances for Scotland. More recently, Australia international John Aloisi has been added to the ranks.