IF someone had told me this time last week that the club was even a remote chance of snaring world football superstar David Beckham, I would have thought perhaps they’d spent a little too long at the Crowne Plaza beer garden!
SEVEN days is a long time in football!
If someone had told me this time last week that the club was even a remote chance of snaring world football superstar David Beckham, I would have thought perhaps they-d spent a little too long at the Crowne Plaza beer garden!
But, as we speak today, the Mariners are in with a ‘fair dinkum- shout after joining a worldwide, multi-club race to attract a player that transcends the game in every way once his stint with MLS powerhouse LA Galaxy ends on December 1.
Our Chairman, Mr Peter Turnbull, has this week gone on record as saying every effort is being made to bring Beckham and his family “to the Central Coast for the Central Coast”.
As with everything we do at the Mariners it is not just aimed at the football public of the region, it-s aimed at benefitting the region itself.
Central Coast identity John Singleton, a man who is so proud and supportive of what the Mariners have brought to the region, is right behind the bid and will no doubt be pivotal in negotiations.
From a football perspective, I reckon coach Graham Arnold could just about find a place for him in the team somewhere!
Seriously though, ‘Arnie- wouldn-t entertain the idea if ‘Becks- ability to fit into the group and culture of the club were in question.
From those that know Beckham or have dealt with him – including colleagues from Sydney FC who were involved in the LA Galaxy game a few years back and former Manchester United team-mate Mark Bosnich – it is only positive feedback on the man himself.
We have built a culture and an environment at the club that is way bigger than any individual and that is the very foundation of our success as a club from day one. It can-t be jeopardised in any way!
But while the powers that be sort out the Beckham situation, there are football games to be won – starting with the visit of Brisbane Roar to Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday.
In what has turned into a very healthy rivalry in recent seasons, it promises to be a fantastic football game with both sides in form at both ends of the park.
Our first half last weekend in front of nearly 20,000 Melbournians – a sincere thank you to a strong and loud Mariners component who made the trek south (you were all heard loud and clear from the pitch) – was as good an attacking display of football as you will see both here and abroad and was followed by a courageous backs-to-the-wall defensive effort with 10 men for 40 minutes of the second half to secure a 2-2 draw.
We had to shuffle things around a little when Patrick Zwaanswijk was red carded in the 50th minute but big Zac Anderson came in and did a great job next to Trent Sainsbury.
It was a crucial 40 minutes for the pair to strike up an understanding ahead of Sunday-s game against the Roar but with the team-s defensive structure in place and inbred in every player within the squad, Zac already knows his job.
It-s only our third home game in eight rounds but it-s another chance to keep “Fortress Bluetongue” intact! Kick-off is 5pm. See you there!
