The Central Coast Mariners have paid tribute to Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman, following his appointment to the prestigious role of Football Federation Australia’s Head of the Hyundai A-League.
The Central Coast Mariners have paid tribute to Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman, following his appointment to the prestigious role of Football Federation Australia-s Head of the Hyundai A-League.
Gorman will leave behind a legacy almost unprecedented in the Australian sporting landscape, after developing the Central Coast Mariners from nothing more than an idea to one of the Hyundai A-League-s flagship clubs.
“What Lyall has done for Football in this region can never be underestimated,” said Mariners Chief Executive Officer John McKay.
“Lyall has been the driving force since the club-s creation and has been an integral part of its operation and success, both on and off the field since day one.
“In just over five years Lyall has developed the Mariners from a blank sheet of paper to a brand recognisable both nationally and internationally, and that has had revenues in excess of $28 million, employs 40 fulltime staff and through match days also supports the part time employment of hundreds of Central Coast residents.”
Gorman-s work in developing the Mariners into one of the Hyundai A-League-s most successful clubs was rewarded in 2009 when he was named a member of the Asian Football Confederation-s Ad Hoc Committee for Professional Clubs, set up at an AFC executive committee meeting, alongside similar groups for Member Associations and Professional leagues.
And it is this expertise Gorman will take with him to his new role.
“Lyall-s appointment to the role of Head of A-League is testament to his outstanding efforts at the Mariners and very exciting news for the Club. His understanding of all things to do with operating and growing a competitive and stable sporting franchise will no doubt add tremendous value to his ability to grow the A-League through this new role with FFA.
“It-s also a great testament to the growing strength of the Hyundai A-League, that FFA has been able to make this appointment from within the ranks of one of its own clubs, and without having to look externally,” said McKay.
Gorman will complete a period of transition as he moves into his role within Football Federation Australia, and will spearhead a search for a replacement within the Mariners, as the Coast based club continues to move into the next phase of its existence, punctuated by the presence of a new Head Coach and a new look squad.
“It will very much be business as usual as far as the Mariners are concerned,” said McKay.
“The Mariners at Tuggerah Centre of Excellence will continue as scheduled and we are privileged to have a strong network of partners to assist us in our continued development both on and off the field.
“The club wishes Lyall all the best in his new endeavour, and will leave the Mariners in the knowledge he has been an integral part of this club-s success.
“Without Lyall-s presence and business acumen we wouldn-t be anywhere near as successful as we have been. At the same time, we-re excited about working closely with Lyall in his new role at FFA, and the next phase of our own development,” said McKay.
