On Tuesday afternoon, Wyong Shire Council held a reception to honour the Central Coast Mariners’ achievements in the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League.
On Tuesday afternoon, Wyong Shire Council held a reception to honour the Central Coast Mariners’ achievements in the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League.
Click the video above to view over seven minutes of footage from the event, including sections of a great speech delivered by Mayor Bob Graham, who also holds a position on the Mariners Board of Directors.
Mayor Graham spoke of the success of the team not only this season, but since the inception of the Hyundai A-League seven years ago. Particularly, he noted the importance of winning the Premiership Plate.
“Right throughout Europe and the rest of the world, the most important trophy is the Premiership trophy,” Cr Graham said.
“At the beginning of the season we had hoped that we would get into the finals. What happened? We led all the way through the second half (of the season) and we won the Premiership trophy for being the top team in the A-League … and I think that-s fantastic.”
“The Mariners are the only national sporting team that we-ve ever had on the Central Coast. And it-s fantastic that we are able to ply our trade throughout the national scene, and not only that, right throughout Asia.”
“The Mariners have done more to unite the Central Coast than anything else … these boys who are here tonight are the pride of the Central Coast.”
“We talk about people who own the Mariners … the people of the Central Coast own the Mariners!”
“That-s the reason why we are as popular as we are,” he said.
