Liam Reddy will remain with the Mariners until, at minimum, the completion of the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League season.
Central Coast Mariners are pleased to confirm that gun goalkeeper Liam Reddy has signed a two-season contract extension with the club, tying him to the yellow and navy until the completion of the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League campaign.
Unwanted by all bar one Hyundai A-League club despite starring for Sydney United 58 in the New South Wales Premier League last year, the experienced Reddy has made the most of what he admits was his final crack at life in Australia-s top flight since linking with the Mariners in September 2013.
Reddy said he is pleased to have settled his mid-term footballing future having pledged his allegiance to Central Coast, and believes life at his fifth Hyundai A-League club is the best he-s had it since he commenced his time in Australia-s top flight with Newcastle Jets in 2005.
“I was very excited and very grateful that the Mariners gave me the opportunity to play here, and it was down to Graham Arnold, Phil Moss and John Crawley who gave me the chance,” Reddy said.
“I hope that I have repaid them all this season and it feels great to be offered a new two-year deal at the club. I didn-t hesitate in signing it because I think this club is a very special club.
“Many players at other Hyundai A-League clubs talk about what it-s like at the Mariners, but you don-t really realise it until you get here.
“It-s the best club I have been to, the playing group has an amazing culture, and it-s fantastic that I will be here for at least another two years,” he said.
Since signing his initial one-season deal with the Mariners Reddy has worked intimately with the club-s esteemed goalkeeper coach, John Crawley.
Crawley is renowned for developing and fine tuning some of the league-s top custodians, with Mat Ryan, Danny Vukovic and Andrew Redmayne, among others, having honed their craft under his watch.
Reddy, 32, believes Crawley is the man who can help take him to the peak of his powers.
“I didn-t have many options before and the Mariners were really the only club knocking on my door,” Reddy explained. “The pleasing thing for me was having the opportunity to work under John Crawley.”
“Central Coast Mariners have always had good goalkeepers, so to work with John who has produced those players was a big drawcard.
“I feel like there is a lot of improvement in my game, and hopefully he can help get that out of me,” he said.
Central Coast Mariners boss Moss said Reddy is deserving of his new deal with the men from Gosford-s idyllic bayside arena, and explained that his contract extension is testament to his effort and commitment since arriving at the club.
“When ‘Rocket- signed at the club we knew we were getting a quality goalkeeper, and we knew that we would be able to provide the right environment to get him back to the top of his game,” Moss said.
“We gave him a lot of boxes to tick and he-s ticked every one of them, and now he-ll be a key player for us in our rebuilding phase.”
“Liam-s new contract is recognition of his strong form, and I believe he is one of the best goalkeepers in the competition at the moment.”
“He-s been a fantastic addition both on and off the pitch, because his leadership qualities and personality have added to what we-re all about at the Mariners.”
“He-s shown his full blooded to the Mariners by moving his young family up here and immersing himself into the local community. He has also taken young Liam Rose under his wing, providing him housing and transport to and from training,” he said.
Moss said he-s seen Reddy and Crawley develop a strong mutual respect this season, which is benefitting the former Parramatta Power and Esteghlal shot stopper.
“I-ve seen that Liam has been very open-minded and willing to learn under John Crawley, and he-s adapted to what we want in our goalkeepers,” he said. “That an experienced ‘keeper is able to come into a new club, be open-minded and learn new things is a testament to his character,” Moss concluded.
News of Reddy-s contract extension comes at a great time for the Mariners, with the club hosting regional rivals Newcastle Jets at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford tonight. Tickets for the latest edition of the #F3DERBY are available online (www.Ticketek.com.au) or at the gate.
Kick-off is at 7:45pm.
Central Coast Mariners FC vs. Newcastle Jets FC
Saturday 15 March 2014
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Tickets: Please CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the match
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter! #F3DERBY
