Central Coast Mariners FC

Formation (2004)

Central Coast Mariners' bid for a franchise in the Football Federation Australia's new A-League competition was aimed at filling the one spot for a regional team that was designated by the FFA. Media speculation prior to the announcement of the franchises in the new league suggested that the Mariners' bid may be favourable due to its new blood. Backing from former Australian international player and club technical director Alex Tobin, as well as Clean Up Australia personality Ian Kiernan—who would act as inaugural club chairman—also strengthened its proposal. As the only regional bidder, Central Coast was expected to make it into the league by default. Following a reported signed deal with the FFA, the club signed former Northern Spirit coach Lawrie McKinna as manager and Ian Ferguson, a former Rangers and Northern Spirit player, as coach. To aid the FFA's goals of building the profile of the sport, the Mariners created formal links with local state league team Central Coast United. On 1 November 2004, after much expectation, the club was announced as one of eight teams to become part of FFA's domestic competition, the A-League. The decision made Central Coast Mariners the first Gosford-based professional sports team to play in a national competition. At the time of the formation of the new league in 2004, the club was owned by Spirits Sports and Leisure Group. The club announced its search for a star player under the league's allowance for one star…

Domestic

A-League

A-League Men Championship Winners (3): 2013, 2023, 2024 Runners-up (3): 2006, 2008, 2011 A-League Men Premiership Winners (3): 2007–08, 2011–12, 2023–24 Runners-up (3): 2010–11, 2012–13, 2022–23

Cups

Australia Cup Runners-up (1): 2021 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup Winners (1): 2005 Runners-up (1): 2006

Continental

AFC Cup / AFC Champions League Two Winners (1): 2023–24

The Mariners Medal (Player of the Year)

Team of the decade