The Central Coast Mariners playing squad for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season is continuing to take shape, following the signings of two Qantas Young Socceroos, in the form of gun Sydney FC prospect Sam Gallagher, and defender Trent Sainsbury, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport’s football program for the next two seasons
The Central Coast Mariners playing squad for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season is continuing to take shape, following the signings of two Qantas Young Socceroos, in the form of gun Sydney FC prospect Sam Gallagher, and defender Trent Sainsbury, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport-s football program for the next two Hyundai A-League seasons.
“The club is continuing to look toward the future and both Sam and Trent arrive with not only impressive resumes from their time in the National Youth League, but they-ve both been identified as very exciting prospects, something which we are keen to harness,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“We look forward keenly to the contribution we hope both of these players will make to the Mariners, both on and off the field.”
Gallagher, a Manly United product, was drafted into the Sydney FC senior squad late in the season as long-term injury cover for Matt Jurman, and although he-s yet to feature for the Sky blues in the Hyundai A-League, he-s sure to use the experience of being around the premiership winning squad as a huge positive as he makes the trek up the F3.
The 18-year-old also has national team experience under his belt, after the New South Wales Institute of Sport product was part of the Qantas Young Socceroos squad which featured at last year-s Under 20-s World Cup in Egypt.
“He-s come with good recommendations from Jan Versleijen from the Under 20-s (Qantas Young Socceroos) as well as Gary Van Egmond down at the institute. I-ve seen Sammy play a couple of times with Sydney FC and I saw him at the Under 20-s World Cup,” said Mariners head coach Graham Arnold.
“He-s a player who can play at left back or left central defence, another youngster, and I think it-s good to have five or six youngsters around, it really adds a lot of enthusiasm into the place and I have a lot of belief in youngsters.
“Sam has been impressive, I think he can go to another level, and we can take him there.”
Joining Gallagher in the Yellow and Navy is boom AIS defender Trent Sainsbury, who has been a standout under Jan Versleijen and Gary Van Egmond-s tutorship at the Canberra based institute.
Originally from Perth, Sainsbury has also had national team experience, and was a regular at the back for the AIS side in this season-s National Youth League, following on from an impressive debut season with his hometown club, Perth Glory.
“Trent is a very promising talent out of the AIS, he-s a central defender who is very good on the ball and in the air, and it-s a great addition for the Mariners,” said Arnold.
“He-s a youngster, only 18 years of age so he-s got a bit more development to do but I see a really bright future for him here at the Mariners.”
The acquisitions of Gallagher and Sainsbury brings the Mariners total squad number to 17 so far for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, and Arnold is hopeful of more high quality additions.
“I will be heading to South America and Europe over the coming weeks and months as we look to finish off the squad.
“I-m still searching for an entertaining, creative number 10, who will really excite the fans at Bluetongue Stadium. There are a couple of players I know about and I-ll be looking at, so I-m looking forward to the future,” said Arnold.
