The Greatest Little Club on Earth - Mariners doco 2024

[pjennings]

Considering Richard Peil was one of the producers I think he comes out worse than Mike Charlesworth. MC comes across as someone that has kept the club afloat (which he has) and had has a long term belief in the growth of football in this country. RP seemed to mouth the same sentiment but his actions didn't seem to gel with that.

They have both fronted up a deal of cash. I may be reading too much in what I saw but I suspect that Shaun was upset with the day to day control that RP and his acolyte had. The after Shaun left, and we win the treble he seems to want to relinquish control to Alyssar and Adam.

 

[Spacks]

Considering Richard Peil was one of the producers I think he comes out worse than Mike Charlesworth. MC comes across as someone that has kept the club afloat (which he has) and had has a long term belief in the growth of football in this country. RP seemed to mouth the same sentiment but his actions didn't seem to gel with that.

They have both fronted up a deal of cash. I may be reading too much in what I saw but I suspect that Shaun was upset with the day to day control that RP and his acolyte had. The after Shaun left, and we win the treble he seems to want to relinquish control to Alyssar and Adam.

Was it about the growth of football in Australia or the growth of his son in football that was his primary motivation?

 

[Michael]

Considering Richard Peil was one of the producers I think he comes out worse than Mike Charlesworth. MC comes across as someone that has kept the club afloat (which he has) and had has a long term belief in the growth of football in this country. RP seemed to mouth the same sentiment but his actions didn't seem to gel with that.

They have both fronted up a deal of cash. I may be reading too much in what I saw but I suspect that Shaun was upset with the day to day control that RP and his acolyte had. The after Shaun left, and we win the treble he seems to want to relinquish control to Alyssar and Adam.

I thought MC came across pretty well in the doco. Was actually shocked to see him on the coast so much. Rich came across well in parts but I can see how he’d upset ALOT of people in other parts. The comments about why paying a female player $50k and never seeing a return on it, because he can’t sell them for a fee. It’s true, but plenty of people will be upset that he said that. And his talk to the academy boys.
He talked down a lot when talking about the office staff too.



The most shocking part of the doco for me was when Monty talked Tulio into signing an upgraded deal, he kind of lied to Tulio’s face when he did that, and Tulio had a clause for 40% of any fee the club received for him. That is f**king wild, that’s a common tactic in football manager to get players well above your clubs level. VERY rare in reality. Further proving how lucky we were to have a player of his quality.


Overall, a good 2hours. A full 8 ep season would’ve been so much better though. They would’ve left out hours and hours of good content.

 

[yellowcake]

I'm glad is was made and in general enjoyed it. I learnt unexpected things - like I need to do Bouddi coastal walk! I have been getting my jolies watching episodes of All Access of both GF's and the 2022-3 preparation week (on high rotation) and find them and probably The Code more uplifting. I agree that the successful AFC Cup campaign was minimised and at least a list or map of the away destinations wouldn't have taken much time or effort. I was a bit disappointed with the amount of time the ALW team got (considering they contributed to the fourth trophy last year) and I get what RP was saying about returns but it came across as though he wished they weren't there. MC did present well which is important as although oft-demonised, without him we'd have folded.
It does still leave the question for all fans though - can football ever become self-sustaining in Australia?

 

[Spacks]

It does still leave the question for all fans though - can football ever become self-sustaining in Australia?

I guess we'll see how Western United go seeing how they own their own stadium etc.

 

[Tevor]

I’m ok with RP being honest about the ALW, it has clearly impacted our balance sheet and is another reason along with less distributions why he has walked away. ALW and the women’s game in general still have some time before there are proper transfers. Who knows how long but he was dead right that at the moment there are zero returns unless you have a Kerr or a Fowler. Some will find this really hard to accept.

 

[Tevor]

I guess we'll see how Western United go seeing how they own their own stadium etc.

They are 10 years off that helping them IMO. You can tell they have changed their spending habits as they have a lot of young players. They are not that bad this year, will not win but will be real nuisance value.

 

[MrCelery]

Pretty good doco.

1) A bit heavy on the Rich Peil story, I thought. But credit to him for his honesty.
2) Brickbats to AFC/FIFA for refusing (I assume) footage of the Asian Cup. The telly idea to show parts was a nifty way to get a very brief glimpse of it.
3) Great Grand Finals footage - all of them.
4) A few of the references went over my head, but I'm sure the players and officials will enjoy them.
5) Congrats to Simmo and Shaun for OK'ing footage of their emotional moments. Raw but brilliant TV.
6) Editing and scripting was a bit patchy but overall great work to cover all the key seasons in 2 hours.
7) The nail-biting drama of the run in for the Premiership and two Grand Finals was a bit lacking. But the actual GF games were amazing, considering there would have been some copyright restrictions.
8) The 'where are they now' parts showed what an awesome Club we have.
9) Liked the drama of the efforts to keep the Club afloat. The Central Coast business community and residents really needs to do better to support the Club.
10) The mention that the Club was run badly was one person's blunt view. Would like to have explored this further.
11) I thought there was going to be no Yellow Army mention 3/4 of the way through. But great to see the main characters given a segment.
12) There would be thousands of heartbreaking and uplifting stories that could not be covered in the time available. But a wonderful snapshot nonetheless.
13) Even the cannon and Marvin made a tiny appearance!

 

[greenlig]

Loved it. Stayed up way too late watching it, my 3yr old obviously sensed this and got up before 6am.

Was great to see the inner workings of the club, I thought the insight into the huge gap between football and commercial departments was compelling and not really resolved. If anything, looks to have got worse?

MC presented like an elder statesman tbh. Given his losses, gave me new respect for the guy. Also, he looked hella old/tired? Maybe he just wasn’t well at the time.

RP as an executive producer gave the whole thing a particular angle that I didn’t entirely enjoy, but given my proximity to the club, can’t tell if it was accurate or not. Particularly the shitcanning of the existing staff being “set in their ways” and laughing at the “absolute chaos”. Also came across pretty obviously that Shaun was pushed and this storyline was to back up why. Out with the old chaos, in with the new starched collars.

Funniest moment was when the text said RP left after putting 7m in and he’s doing a little sad-man walk away from the camera 😂😂 After all the talk, just picking up his ball and going home makes the bull in a china shop style less than impressive.

All in all felt a lot of pride and VERY grateful to have a peek behind the veil. COYY

 

[sydmariner]

Pretty good doco.

1) A bit heavy on the Rich Peil story, I thought. But credit to him for his honesty.
2) Brickbats to AFC/FIFA for refusing (I assume) footage of the Asian Cup. The telly idea to show parts was a nifty way to get a very brief glimpse of it.
3) Great Grand Finals footage - all of them.
4) A few of the references went over my head, but I'm sure the players and officials will enjoy them.
5) Congrats to Simmo and Shaun for OK'ing footage of their emotional moments. Raw but brilliant TV.
6) Editing and scripting was a bit patchy but overall great work to cover all the key seasons in 2 hours.
7) The nail-biting drama of the run in for the Premiership and two Grand Finals was a bit lacking. But the actual GF games were amazing, considering there would have been some copyright restrictions.
8) The 'where are they now' parts showed what an awesome Club we have.
9) Liked the drama of the efforts to keep the Club afloat. The Central Coast business community and residents really needs to do better to support the Club.
10) The mention that the Club was run badly was one person's blunt view. Would like to have explored this further.
11) I thought there was going to be no Yellow Army mention 3/4 of the way through. But great to see the main characters given a segment.
12) There would be thousands of heartbreaking and uplifting stories that could not be covered in the time available. But a wonderful snapshot nonetheless.
13) Even the cannon and Marvin made a tiny appearance!

I’m supprised that they left in some footage of torres.

 

[Tevor]

I’m supprised that they left in some footage of torres.

He was crucial so deserved a cameo. Also hasn’t been convicted of anything yet.

 

[sydmariner]

He was crucial so deserved a cameo. Also hasn’t been convicted of anything yet.

Yes but it’s not really a good look for the club is it?.

 

[pjennings]

I'm glad is was made and in general enjoyed it. I learnt unexpected things - like I need to do Bouddi coastal walk! I have been getting my jolies watching episodes of All Access of both GF's and the 2022-3 preparation week (on high rotation) and find them and probably The Code more uplifting. I agree that the successful AFC Cup campaign was minimised and at least a list or map of the away destinations wouldn't have taken much time or effort. I was a bit disappointed with the amount of time the ALW team got (considering they contributed to the fourth trophy last year) and I get what RP was saying about returns but it came across as though he wished they weren't there. MC did present well which is important as although oft-demonised, without him we'd have folded.
It does still leave the question for all fans though - can football ever become self-sustaining in Australia?

I think it can - but we need to have our own stadiums with our own social clubs attached. NPL clubs do it. The problem the Mariners have is that their income was as stated in the program. They get nothing from the matchday food and drink.

How do you get around that when they don't have the lease of the Stadium? You don't. So how does that change?

The only way I can see it changing is if we get some deep pocketed investors interested in developing the stadium northern end along with the Bowling club site as leverage to change the conditions for Mariners home games.

 

[Erin_Mariner]

I think it can - but we need to have our own stadiums with our own social clubs attached. NPL clubs do it. The problem the Mariners have is that their income was as stated in the program. They get nothing from the matchday food and drink.

How do you get around that when they don't have the lease of the Stadium? You don't. So how does that change?

The only way I can see it changing is if we get some deep pocketed investors interested in developing the stadium northern end along with the Bowling club site as leverage to change the conditions for Mariners home games.

Mike Charlesworth’s proposal to do this very thing (and more development to the stadium) turned down by our council…

 

[Wombat]

Yes but it’s not really a good look for the club is it?.

You can't whitewash history Syd.

 

[sydmariner]

You can't whitewash history Syd.

true

 

[pjennings]

Mike Charlesworth’s proposal to do this very thing (and more development to the stadium) turned down by our council…

Did that include the Bowling Club site.

I'm not just talking minor modifications. The council want to develop the Bowling club site. Property developers like the Rose Group, together with Singo and Denny could join with Mike to develop that site for units and provide a proper northern stand with corporate facilities a social club for both game days and away days plus a much needed roof.

 

[sydmariner]

Did that include the Bowling Club site.

I'm not just talking minor modifications. The council want to develop the Bowling club site. Property developers like the Rose Group, together with Singo and Denny could join with Mike to develop that site for units and provide a proper northern stand with corporate facilities a social club for both game days and away days plus a much needed roof.

And safe standing in bay 16.

 

[Corsair]

Did that include the Bowling Club site.

I'm not just talking minor modifications. The council want to develop the Bowling club site. Property developers like the Rose Group, together with Singo and Denny could join with Mike to develop that site for units and provide a proper northern stand with corporate facilities a social club for both game days and away days plus a much needed roof.

That might provide some shade for the western stand as well if it's big enough

 

[pjennings]

That might provide some shade for the western stand as well if it's big enough

Eastern?