NEW Central Coast captain John Hutchinson will become just the second player in Mariners history to reach the 150 Hyundai A-League game mark this Sunday.
Central Coast Mariners captain John Hutchinson and Head Coach Graham Arnold with Mingara Recreation Club representative Rachel Davis (Photo by John Dewberry)
NEW Central Coast captain John Hutchinson will become just the second player in Mariners history to reach the 150 Hyundai A-League game mark this Sunday.
Hutchinson follows good friend and former Mariners skipper Alex Wilkinson into the 150 game club, and will celebrate his considerable achievement in the team’s specially designed pink kits in support of Pink Ribbon Day.
Like Wilkinson, Maltese international Hutchinson has spent his entire Hyundai A-League playing career with Central Coast. Only a brief loan spell with then Chinese Super League side Chengdu Blades in 2011 interrupted his time with the Mariners.
The Morwell born midfielder was shocked when told of the milestone he is set to accomplish against Perth Glory.
“I didn-t actually expect it this season,” Hutchinson said. “I didn-t know I was that close to it.”
“I-ve had some great times (at the Mariners). We-ve had the two league Championships, a Pre-Season Cup win as well, and obviously we-ve had the heartbreak of a few Grand Finals here and there.”
“But it-s a great Club. It-s been an honour to be here and play for them, and now to be Club Captain is a great honour as well. My 150th just makes me feel that little bit older!”
Indeed, Hutchinson was impressed with the strong contingent of yellow-clad Mariners fans that made their way to Parramatta Stadium for the round 1 meeting with A-League new boys Western Sydney Wanderers.
With the Mariners this weekend using their match against the purple-whites to support Pink Ribbon Day, Hutchinson said he hoped healthy numbers dressed in pink would flock to Gosford-s idyllic bayside arena as Central Coast shoot for their first win of the new campaign.
“In Western Sydney they were very loud,” Hutchinson said of the Mariners travelling support.
“We appreciate the people that came down and supported us. We were disappointed we couldn-t get a positive result for them, a nice win, but hopefully we can get a big crowd out there this weekend and support women-s cancer.”
Hutchinson added that he and his teammates are only too happy to help Central Coast-s combined initiative with Mingara Recreation Club in supporting Pink Ribbon Day by wearing the unique pink kits.
“Everyone is happy to support Pink Ribbon Day,” he said. “I know the boys are right behind the initiative from Mingara Club and the Mariners.”
“I think it-s a wonderful cause and something we need to fight, and I-m glad to be a part of it.”
Following the game, Mingara will auction off the signed playing strips to raise further funds for Australia-s Cancer Council. Fans attending the Mariners round two meeting with Glory are invited to wear pink on the day to help increase awareness of the cause.
Moreover, supporters will notice a number of Pink Ribbon Day volunteers with donation buckets in and around Bluetongue Stadium. Fans who can spare some change on the day are encouraged to contribute towards the Cancer Council-s 2012 target of raising over $5 million for cancer research, prevention and support.
Pink Ribbon Day will be held on Monday 22 October.
Central Coast Mariners vs. Perth Glory
Sunday 14 October, 2012 – Kick-off 5:00pm (local)
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match.
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter. The official match hashtag is #CCMvPG
