The Central Coast Mariners have today announced the re-signing of local product Brad Porter for a further two seasons, but the good news has been tempered by the loss of Nigel Boogaard, who will move to Adelaide United at the end of the current Hyundai A-League campaign.
The Central Coast Mariners have today announced the re-signing of local product Brad Porter for a further two seasons, but the good news has been tempered by the loss of Nigel Boogaard, who will move to Adelaide United at the end of the current Hyundai A-League campaign.
“It-s with tremendous excitement we can announce Brad Porter will be with the club for another two Hyundai A-League seasons,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“He is a terrific young man, a local junior, and has made a huge impact on the club since he arrived as a teenager in season one, and we-re delighted to have him on board.”
“Conversely though, it-s hugely disappointing to have lost a player of Nigel Boogaard-s calibre. It took him a while to get going because of sickness and injury, but he has gone on to prove himself as an integral part of our defence.
“Adelaide represents a great opportunity for him, and we wish him all the best for the future,” said Gorman.
Porter played much of his junior football for Kanwal Rovers in the Central Coast Junior Competition, and, after short stints with both Killarney Vale and Wyong, moved to the Australian Institute of Sport as a 17-year-old to continue his development.
It was while at the AIS Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna came in for Porter at the back end of the inaugural Hyundai A-League season as injury cover.
After suffering his own injury setback, Porter made his debut midway through the 2006/07 campaign, and has gone on to make 64 appearances in all competitions for the club.
The two-year extension is an exciting coup for Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna, as he looks to build on the success so far enjoyed in the short history of the club.
“Ever since he-s come to the club he-s been popular with all the boys, he is always upbeat and a good presence in the dressing rooms, and he has come a long way in the four years he-s been with us,” said McKinna.
“He-s one of the players we need to keep as we keep building, so it-s good to get everything sorted out.”
Nigel Boogaard-s stint at the Gosford based club has been one punctuated by severe frustration, which saw him miss the entire first season of the Hyundai A-League after being struck down with a severe case of glandular fever.
The Australian youth international recovered only to be hit by a season ending groin injury soon after returning to the fold, finally showing his class in the 2007/08 season.
Boogaard has repaid the club with some fine displays in both the centre of defence and at right fullback, and his experience at the back is sure to be sorely missed.
The Newcastle local begins a new chapter in his career with the best wishes of Football Manager Lawrie McKinna, as well as everyone associated with the club.
“Boogs has been fantastic for the club and I-m sure he-ll do well in Adelaide,” said McKinna.
“It-s a great chance for him to go there and maybe play in the Champions League at the end of the year. I know he-s doing up his house with his partner but this will put him a little bit out of his comfort zone and I-m sure he-ll do well.
“Now all the speculation is out of the way, he can concentrate on his football, and hopefully we can send him off with the title,” said McKinna.
And Boogaard admits he will leave the Mariners with a tinge of sadness, while excited about the challenges that lay ahead.
“I-ve been at the club for five years now and obviously formed some good relationships with the players, coaching staff and the backroom staff. I-ve got a lot of fond memories and it will be hard when the day comes.
“It didn-t start how I wanted it to but the coaching staff stood by me and saw something in me, and hopefully I-ve been able to repay them with what they thought they could get out of me.
“It-s a great opportunity for me to get back to play in Asia. I felt I didn-t quite achieve on a personal level when the Mariners went to Asia.
“I-m probably in a comfort zone, so it-s a new challenge, you need that in life to excel in anything.
“As any player knows it plays on your mind, but now it-s out of the way and I can concentrate on my football, and hopefully I can leave the club with a premiership and a grand final win,” said Boogaard.
The Mariners- next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against Perth Glory on Friday, 27 November. Kick-off is at 8:00pm. Tickets are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now on sale by clicking here
