CCM Fans and the club

[Ozhammer]

Still not sure how to take this. Is MC saying we're still looking at taking home games away regardless of the fact that it was an intensely unpopular idea
or
is he warning council they need to renegotiate or we'll consider taking games and therefore business away
or
both?
Either way it leaves a worrying taste in the mouth:
It is a priority for us that FFA and Central Coast Council meet to discuss and ensure there is a long-term commitment and viability to playing games at Central Coast stadium. We have received and are expecting more enquiries about alternative options to see the club play games away from Central Coast Stadium, however a long-term stadia strategy and commitment to the Central Coast must remain core priorities and principle of the club.

As I understand it, the club is frustrated that CCC won’t give CCM a longer term deal for the use of CCS. Surely having a long-term anchor tenant is good from the Council’s perspective, as it guarantees an income stream over multiple years? CCC is apparently conducting a review of stadium operations and is looking at how efficient owning the asset is, so perhaps that will finally result in the club being granted management rights as part of a longer-term agreement. That would move the financial responsibility from CCC to CCM, so is arguably a better deal for ratepayers.

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

 

[UnitedsNo9]

The sentence that most caught my attention on reading the letter was the following:

"However, as a result of immediate pressures, the club is looking to accelerate key aspects of this review not yet implemented with the expectation of presenting to Football Federation Australia by the end of January".

I immediately started wondering what these immediate pressures are. Is he referring to just realising the fans have had enough. Or is this a hint at FFA etc directly asking us to explain our relevance and justify our existence in the league. Still a bit cryptic. Some have touched on this already, but the term "immediate pressures" to me really suggests something other than concern about fan outcry.

 

[Shaun Mielekamp]

The sentence that most caught my attention on reading the letter was the following:

"However, as a result of immediate pressures, the club is looking to accelerate key aspects of this review not yet implemented with the expectation of presenting to Football Federation Australia by the end of January".

I immediately started wondering what these immediate pressures are. Is he referring to just realising the fans have had enough. Or is this a hint at FFA etc directly asking us to explain our relevance and justify our existence in the league. Still a bit cryptic. Some have touched on this already, but the term "immediate pressures" to me really suggests something other than concern about fan outcry.

The immediate pressures is simply a direct effect of the table position and no wins.

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

The immediate pressures is simply a direct effect of the table position and no wins.

Fair enough. What's the nature of presenting to the FFA though? This isn't normal, as far as we're all aware. Is there a "please explain" from the FFA, or something else happening?

 

[scottmac]

The immediate pressures is simply a direct effect of the table position and no wins.

You'd think 5yrs of bullshit would have brought that about rather than the worst f**king season ever.

Doesn't pass the sniff test mate. We should have to justify our position because we don't belong in the Aleague right now.

 

[Antlion]

behind a paywall so haven't read in full...

Mariners must remain on coast
Fans are staying away, the team hasn't won a match in 10 months and buyers are circling, but Central Coast CEO Mielekamp says his biggest priority is keeping the club at Gosford long-term.
https://myaccount.news.com.au/sites...25b686630d56833bc0658ceea4c&memtype=anonymous

 

[Antlion]

You'd think 5yrs of bullshit would have brought that about rather than the worst f**king season ever.

Doesn't pass the sniff test mate. We should have to justify our position because we don't belong in the Aleague right now.

We should totally have to justify our position. The ongoing, long term under-spend and under-performance is most definitely NOT holding up our end of the bargain

 

[Antlion]

Hi. My name is Antlion and I am a supporter of the Central Coast Mariners. I am, however, no longer a fan.

I am not a fan of the on-field performances, the results, or (edit: until very recently) the lack of application.
I am not a fan of the tactics, the recruitment, the under-spending, the substitutions or the man management.
I am not a fan of losing every single game, and never having any hope of winning - at all.
I am not a fan of disappointment and embarrassment being the status quo.
I am not a fan of being told nothing or having smoke blown up my coight by the club.
I am not a fan of the circus tricks to keep the fans and media occupied.
I am not a fan of telling the fanbase that, despite having one of the highest per capita attendances and memberships we might have to move home games to save the owner money - when the lack of spend has driven us into the ground in the first place.
I am not a fan of there being no clear plan to dig us out of this (that I have been made aware of).

Most of all I am not a fan of this carrying on for more than half a decade with no end in sight.

I have been here since day 1. Until recent years the Mariners were a source of pride, passion and excitement. It is now the opposite.

There are supporters that are still here. We can only support without being fans for so long. CCM will flourish again if we can bring back all these things we have lost.

Make us fans again​

 

[Timmah]

Full read of the article by Emma Herd, quoting Shaun last Friday:

A resolute Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp says the club is staring down its biggest battles both on and off the pitch.

Pundits, former players and the football loving public have been lining up to take potshots at the club as it slumped to yet another loss last weekend.

It takes the team’s tally to 320 days without a win and solidifies their 2018-19 winless run as the worst ever start to an A-League season.

Away from football, things aren’t much brighter with the club facing serious questions over its long-term viability.

Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp chats with fans at Central Coast Leagues Club before catching a bus to watch the Mariners play Sydney FC in Sydney. Picture: Sue Graham
“This is the toughest of times and it’s going to take a lot of real strength to get us through

this,” Mr Mielekamp said.

“It’s hard, but it comes with the territory, and the only ones who can get us out of this is us.

“If there was one key message that I want to get out there at the moment, my absolute priority and focus is to make sure the Central Coast Mariners stay on the Central Coast.”

The Express Advocate travelled as a guest of Mr Mielekamp’s on a supporter’s bus to Friday night’s match against Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium in Sydney’s south.

Goalkeeper Ben Kennedy protests with referee Jonathan Barreiro during the match against Sydney FC. Picture: Brendon Thorne
Along the way the boss gave a full and frank assessment of an $8.5 million offer to buy the club fielded last week.

“That offer didn’t commit to the Mariners staying on the Central Coast. There is a concern that if there was a change of ownership to someone who wanted to take the Mariners elsewhere, that it could actually happen.”

He said moving individual games away from the Central Coast wasn’t on the table at this stage but the club needed to work to ensure that remained the case.

Coach Mike Mulvey will look to recruit in the January transfer window. Picture: Sue Graham
Mr Mielekamp also revealed changes can be expected to the team in the January transfer window with on-loan striker Ross McCormack recalled by Aston Villa and the Mariners actively looking to recruit during the January transfer window.

He said the club was spending more than it ever had on recruitment but still was spending $2 million less than the league’s top clubs.

Mr Mielekamp acknowledged the on-field results needed to be turned around but said there were no “easy fixes”.

Mielekamp with Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth at Central Coast Stadium. Picture: Mark Scott
In other news, Mr Mielekamp confirmed talks with Central Coast Council in regards to securing management rights of Central Coast Stadium had turned a corner.

“We were told previously, under the administrator thanks but no thanks, but that’s not the answer we’re getting now.

“The answer we’re getting now is let’s have a look at it. We intend to start presenting stuff to council in the next four weeks.”

 

[Timmah]

Hi. My name is Antlion and I am a supporter of the Central Coast Mariners. I am, however, no longer a fan.

I am not a fan of the on-field performances, the results, or (edit: until very recently) the lack of application.
I am not a fan of the tactics, the recruitment, the under-spending, the substitutions or the man management.
I am not a fan of losing every single game, and never having any hope of winning - at all.
I am not a fan of disappointment and embarrassment being the status quo.
I am not a fan of being told nothing or having smoke blown up my coight by the club.
I am not a fan of the circus tricks to keep the fans and media occupied.
I am not a fan of telling the fanbase that, despite having one of the highest per capita attendances and memberships we might have to move home games to save the owner money - when the lack of spend has driven us into the ground in the first place.
I am not a fan of there being no clear plan to dig us out of this (that I have been made aware of).

Most of all I am not a fan of this carrying on for more than half a decade with no end in sight.

I have been here since day 1. Until recent years the Mariners were a source of pride, passion and excitement. It is now the opposite.

There are supporters that are still here. We can only support without being fans for so long. CCM will flourish again if we can bring back all these things we have lost.

Make us fans again​

You've hit a lot of nails on the head here but I can't agree with the ones I've bolded:

- Looking around, maybe aside from Tony Pignata at both Perth and Sydney, "the club" under Shaun is probably as communicative as it gets from a sporting organisation. Of course it's up to you to believe or dismiss what they're saying but suggesting we get 'told nothing' I think is a bit of a stretch.
- I think the club has, on multiple occasions in the past week, made it plainly clear they aren't planning to move home games.
- Last week's letter seemed fairly clear on this I thought, talking about plans to expand the board, with the aim to attract investment.

Fingers crossed for some player announcements, and as has been mooted by several on here, some more significant news around investment in the club as well.

 

[pjennings]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...h/news-story/b6b51d9575504d5e1d5a71c0195659a9
Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp and captain Matt Simon deny rift between players and coach
Richard Noone, Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate
26 minutes ago

MARINERS’ captain Matt Simon has hosed down speculation the players have lost confidence in under-fire coach Mike Mulvey.

It comes after a firey meeting between Simon and Mulvey following Friday’s humiliating capitulation against Sydney FC.

It was rumoured Simon told Mulvey the coach had lost the confidence of the playing squad.
Simon however denied the squad had lost faith in the embattled coach and that they were all pulling together to “get us out of where we are”.

“I don’t know where that’s coming from,” he told the Express Advocate.

“The coach has all the players’ support for sure.”

Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp confirmed Simon and Mulvey met after a tough loss at Jubilee Stadium despite blowing an early first-half lead.

And while he said there was “obviously a lot of tension” among the players and coaching staff, exacerbated by Kalifa Cisse’s red card in the 26th minute, there was no rift in the club.

“We have had a fired up captain,” he said.

“The head coach has met with the captain. There was absolutely no mention of a loss of faith in the coaching staff.”

Should Mulvey’s tenure come to an end he would become the fourth coach through the Mariners revolving door in as many seasons.

 

[FFC Mariner]

No mention of Cisses terrible behaviour as he walked off the pitch - if he is allowed to get away with telling Monty to f**k off then Montys position just became untenable.
Cisse has been a complete dud purchase (among all of this seasons higher profile recruits) but no one is carrying the can for him, Oar or the invisible man)

 

[Insertnamehere]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...h/news-story/b6b51d9575504d5e1d5a71c0195659a9
Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp and captain Matt Simon deny rift between players and coach
Richard Noone, Central Coast Gosford Express Advocate
26 minutes ago

MARINERS’ captain Matt Simon has hosed down speculation the players have lost confidence in under-fire coach Mike Mulvey.

It comes after a firey meeting between Simon and Mulvey following Friday’s humiliating capitulation against Sydney FC.

It was rumoured Simon told Mulvey the coach had lost the confidence of the playing squad.
Simon however denied the squad had lost faith in the embattled coach and that they were all pulling together to “get us out of where we are”.

“I don’t know where that’s coming from,” he told the Express Advocate.

“The coach has all the players’ support for sure.”

Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp confirmed Simon and Mulvey met after a tough loss at Jubilee Stadium despite blowing an early first-half lead.

And while he said there was “obviously a lot of tension” among the players and coaching staff, exacerbated by Kalifa Cisse’s red card in the 26th minute, there was no rift in the club.

“We have had a fired up captain,” he said.

“The head coach has met with the captain. There was absolutely no mention of a loss of faith in the coaching staff.”

Should Mulvey’s tenure come to an end he would become the fourth coach through the Mariners revolving door in as many seasons.

Kiss of death

 

[Timmah]

 

[Antlion]

You've hit a lot of nails on the head here but I can't agree with the ones I've bolded:

- Looking around, maybe aside from Tony Pignata at both Perth and Sydney, "the club" under Shaun is probably as communicative as it gets from a sporting organisation. Of course it's up to you to believe or dismiss what they're saying but suggesting we get 'told nothing' I think is a bit of a stretch.
- I think the club has, on multiple occasions in the past week, made it plainly clear they aren't planning to move home games.
- Last week's letter seemed fairly clear on this I thought, talking about plans to expand the board, with the aim to attract investment.

Fingers crossed for some player announcements, and as has been mooted by several on here, some more significant news around investment in the club as well.

Shaun comes on and chats which is great but overall we're told very little of substance.
In other codes it's made very clear what is going on with players, for instance.
We have been left in the dark abota McCormack, Hiariej etc the whole time

 

[joe bailey]

We should totally have to justify our position. The ongoing, long term under-spend and under-performance is most definitely NOT holding up our end of the bargain

It's annoying for the youth. Our first grade team IS NOT A TRUE REFLECTION WHATSOEVER ON OUR YOUNG TALENTED UP AND COMING PLAYERS. Last season NPL 18, 20 and seniors all got through to final stages. Geez our seniors were better than Wanderers. I think from memory 18's actually won the grand final. So we do have potential and it's going to be a shame to lose what we've all worked so hard for!

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

It's annoying for the youth. Our first grade team IS NOT A TRUE REFLECTION WHATSOEVER ON OUR YOUNG TALENTED UP AND COMING PLAYERS. Last season NPL 18, 20 and seniors all got through to final stages. Geez our seniors were better than Wanderers. I think from memory 18's actually won the grand final. So we do have potential and it's going to be a shame to lose what we've all worked so hard for!

Yeah, but how's the pathway to HAL working out?
Not great the last few years....

Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic how NPL is going

 

[joe bailey]

Yeah, but how's the pathway to HAL working out?
Not great the last few years....

Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic how NPL is going

so what do you think will happen to us? and the kids? It's a bloody tough road for the kids. Now what will happen if we are sold off or our licence goes to another club/state even? Even another club will already have their own players they won't want our boys?

 

[BrisRecky]

Suffice it to say , anybody who has purchased a membership since the days of Arnie , or maybe a tad later, have been considered by the club a mushroom, as in kept in the dark and fed bullshit