Mariners great Matt Simon has signed a one-year extension with the club that will see him play on for the A-League 2021/22 season.
The club’s all-time leading goal scorer, Simon had one of his best individual seasons on 2020/21, scoring 10 times and assisting another three goals as he formed a formidable partnership up front with Costa Rican Marco Urena.
2021/22 will be Simon’s 12th season with the Mariners, and with 288 A-League matches already under his belt will likely see him break the 300-game mark.
The veteran striker said he is looking forward to another campaign and growing the support and pride for the Mariners that has returned to the Coast.
“This season that we just had was very successful, and after speaking to the club and talking about going around for another year it was an easy decision in the end,” he said.
“It was nice to score the goals, but even nicer to finish third on the table and I’m very happy with how the team and the club went this year and I’m already looking forward to next year.”
“I’ve mentioned the Wollongong game, when we played Wellington down there it actually felt like a home game for us.”
“That was a time I actually thought it was getting back to the good old days with the support we’ve had, and I think the crowd really appreciated what we were able to do this year, and to have them come back to the ground and support us the way they did is a testament to them.”
Mariners Head of Football Ken Schembri welcomed Simon’s commitment to another campaign on the Central Coast.
“Matty’s name is synonymous with the Mariners, and we were very keen to have him return for another season,” Schembri said.
“He had a terrific season on the pitch this season, but he also brings so much value in the dressing room as a leader and as a mentor for the young members of our squad, and that aspect of his contribution will be so important in the Mariners continued forward progress.”
