The Central Coast Mariners will play 14 home matches at Bluetongue Stadium this season it has been revealed, following the release of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 fixture schedule.
The Central Coast Mariners will play 14 home matches at Bluetongue Stadium this season it has been revealed, following the release of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 fixture schedule.
The new draw will see the Mariners feature in the opening match of the season for the second year in a row, as they face off with the Hyundai A-League-s newest club, the Melbourne Heart in their first ever competition match, at the brand new AAMI Park in Melbourne.
The Mariners will twice play host to Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, North Queensland Fury and Sydney FC this season, and will also host a Boxing Day clash against Adelaide, along with the traditional New Years Eve fixture which will see Grand Finalists Melbourne Victory as the opponents in season six.
Following advice from Gosford City Council that they intend to returf Bluetongue Stadium in early October, the Stadium will be unavailable for an extended period through October and November.
“As a result, we have had to seek the best possible outcome for our Members and supporters, and we feel we have achieved this by working closely with FFA to ensure we only had to play one home game away from Bluetongue Stadium during the returfing period,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
The Mariners have joined forces with Sydney FC in a double header at the Sydney Football Stadium, and will play Perth Glory on Saturday, 30 October at 3:45pm, while Sydney FC will tackle Brisbane Roar at 7:00pm in the second part of the double-header.
“Sydney FC, (host broadcaster) Fox Sports, the SCG trust and FFA have all played a significant part in reaching this outcome, and we would like to thank those parties for their cooperation.
“The club is also investigating transport options between the Central Coast and the double header, to help make accessibility as easy as possible for our Members and supporters.
“We will then be excited by the prospect of returning back home in November to a brand new pitch, and an extended run of home games during the December/January holiday period.”
The Mariners will also serve two of their three “weekend breaks” – which have been introduced with the addition of an 11th club in Melbourne Heart – during the returfing period, meaning the amount of actual matches missed would be minimal.
“Now we have a schedule finalised we will now be able to release our Membership packages for season six, which have been completely overhauled after listening to the feedback we have received from Members, and will be full of exciting new options, and still at a very affordable price,” said Gorman.
