The Central Coast Mariners are proud to announce that Club Legend and Assistant Coach John Hutchinson has become a life member of Men of Football (MoF), MoF is a not for profit organisation which seeks to assist football participants in times of need.
Today at Central Coast Stadium, ‘Hutch’ was officially unveiled as Men of Football’s newest Member by the President of the Central Coast Chapter, David Harris MP (Member for Wyong).
Men of Football is a newly formed organisation that focus on initiatives such as; assisting past football participants who may have fallen on hard times; providing support and assistance to the families of past and present football participants who have passed on or need their support and assisting current football participants to realise their potential and participation in the game.
As a recently retired player, Hutch has watched former teammates and close friends experience hardship and understands how important it is to have a strong support base in times of need.
“Men of Football deserve more credit than they get, for footballers that experience hardship it’s an amazing cause, it’s something that people involved in the football family should all get behind because we help each other and we get behind each other,” Hutchinson said.
“Even in my own situation, after you’ve played professional football for 19 years you’re unsure of what’s next, you know that Men of Football will always be there for you and to have that in the back of your mind is fantastic.”
MoF President, David Harris MP welcomed Hutchinson with open arms and noted what a fantastic relationship the organisation has formed with Hutchinson and the Central Coast Mariners.
“For a new organisation that’s out there trying to look after the football family, having John Hutchinson on board is a real coup and we really appreciate the Central Coast Mariners featuring our Men of Football video at half time tomorrow,” Harris said.
“Having someone on board like John will make a real difference to what we do,” Harris said.
The Mariners will also work alongside Hutch to assist MoF in fundraising and awareness initiatives as well as an “old boys” appreciation strategy that aims to recognise and highlight some of the former greats who have worn the Yellow & Navy.
As a main contributor to the Mariners’ strong culture over the past 10 Hyundai A-League seasons, Hutchinson speaks very highly of the players he has shared a dressing room with at the Central Coast Mariners.
“I think it’s important that the guys who have done so much for this club over the past 10 years are recognised and this relationship will help us bring club legends like Damien Brown, Mile Sterjovski, Gumps (Andre Gumprecht) back into the fold which is something that I’m excited about and the fans can be as well,” Hutchinson added.
As a part of this strategy, The Mariners will host an official “Old Boys” day at our last Hyundai A-League home match of the season against the Newcastle Jets on Saturday April 9 where a raft of former players will be officially recognised and celebrated at Central Coast Stadium.
The Central Coast MoF chapter now has over 400 members – a life Membership costs just $20 and can be purchased by heading to http://www.menoffootball.org.au.
MoF are also urging people to attend their upcoming AGM on November 19 at Mingara. Finger food will be provided as well as a venue to watch the Melbourne Victory vs. Central Coast Mariners on the big screen at 8pm.
