Season Review - Central Coast
Posted by Jasper Reed in A-League, Central Coast Mariners | 28 March 2006
Nickname: The Mariners
Home Strip: Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts
Manager: Lawrie McKinna (Scotland)
Final League Position: 3rd
Position after the finals; 2nd
How did they do? The nucleus of the side (and the management team) was together at NSL side Northern Spirit (Sydney) and, like Adelaide, settled into the new league more easily than others. They have belied their status as the 'smallest' team in the league by reaching all 3 finals in their new, and rather sumptuous surroundings up the coast. Away from home they had some notable results, winning at Sydney and Adelaide, and ended the season with a terrific run of 11 unbeaten.
Star Player: Michael Beauchamp (central defender) Just when Australia's defence was creaking, the composed Beauchamp has come from nowhere. Made his national debut last month against Bahrain. Is now a strong candidate go to Germany.
You might also have heard of:Jamie McMaster (Leeds) Stewart Petrie (Dunfermline) Ian Ferguson; the ex Rangers midfielder is past his prime now (at 38, he is the oldest player in the league), but still one of the finest to ever play in Australia. Is also Assistant Coach.
What do they need? To keep the team together. Beauchamp and fellow defender Dean Heffernan are currently on trial at FC Nurnberg in Germany. CCM wont have the surprise element next year, and so would need to keep its best players to have any chance of going the next step.
Little known fact: Central Coast is an up and coming region of New South Wales. The Mariners are the first professional team from any sport to be based there but as such have the lowest per capita population base from which to draw fans
