Tifo to provide spectacular NYE backdrop

Central Coast Mariners Members and supporters have been invited to take part in a spectacular pre-match tifo at Bluetongue Stadium on New Year’s Eve, where it is hoped that the massive gallery on hand will shower the Mariners’ waterfront home in a sea of yellow streamers.

Central Coast Mariners Members and supporters have been invited to take part in a spectacular pre-match tifo at Bluetongue Stadium on New Year-s Eve, where it is hoped that the massive gallery on hand will shower the Mariners- waterfront home in a sea of yellow streamers.

The Marinators, the Mariners- vocal supporters group, have accumulated some 10,000 yellow streamers and will distribute them to Mariners Members and supporters seated at the upper tiers of Bluetongue Stadium in the hope of a co-ordinated release onto the pitch shortly before kick off – making for a spectacular visual display to usher in the New Year.

Representatives from the Marinators will greet Mariners Members and supporters seated at these areas of Bluetongue Stadium, while ground announcements in the lead up to kick off will provide instructions to the audience on hand in regards to the timing of the release of the streamers into the open air.

“We thank the Marinators for their continued and exceptional support of our club and congratulate them for this unique and special initiative,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

“The New Year-s Eve event at Bluetongue Stadium has become an institution of the Hyundai A-League and I-m sure through this spectacular visual display, we will be provided with another enduring image to add to our already impressive New Year-s Eve collection.”

Last year-s New Year-s Eve event attracted an estimated 35,000 people to the Gosford Waterfront, with over 8,000 attending the Gosford Races before 18,686 witnessed the Mariners go down 5-2 to the Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium.

The Mariners- New Year-s Eve clashes have become a feature of each Hyundai A-League season to date, with record crowds flocking to the Mariners- idyllic bay side home since the inaugural clash on 31 December 2005 – peaking with a then club record attendance for last year-s fixture against the Victory.

To assist with the smooth running of the event, Dane Drive will be closed to all traffic between 6.45pm and 10pm.

“We-ve been planning for this for quite some time now and we really hope that all Mariners Members and supporters get behind this initiative to create a really special image to remember what has been a truly special year,” said Marinators President Jeff Hall.

“Most immediately, we hope to show the players just how much support they have at this business end of the season and hopefully inspire them to what would be a crucial win over the Perth Glory on Wednesday – surely the best New Year-s present for any Mariners Member or supporter.”

The Mariners return to their Bluetongue Stadium home on Wednesday, 31 December – New Year-s Eve – for the showpiece of their annual summer holiday extravaganza, which will culminate with a Hyundai A-League fixture against the Perth Glory. Kick off is at 6pm. Gates open at 4.30pm.

Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.

For more information regarding the Gosford waterfront New Year-s Eve festival, visit www.gosfordnye.com.au.