Turbulence (then calm sailing, then turbulence) thread.

[dibo]

If there were people rallying a bid to run the club in a community ownership based model, now would be a great time to break cover, and seek support from the two councils and FFA.

 

[midfielder]

Somehow I would suggest thats no going to happen. If I were to read between the lines he is leaving because he is not happy with the direction of the club, especially the moves to North Sydney. As Mayor he can probably say a lot more about it now.

Agree

 

[midfielder]

If there were people rallying a bid to run the club in a community ownership based model, now would be a great time to break cover, and seek support from the two councils and FFA.

TOTALLY AGREE ... I would add me thinks a bit like Fat Tony at the Fold Coast, and Con at the Jets that maybe MC is not flavour of the month at FFA ... meaning FFA would also love to hear and could even offer some financial support [no inside info on FFA just a gut feeling, re PFA, MV and FFA over the playing surface at NSQ add Fox and lighting issue as well]

Say 6, 000 members at $ 300.00 over 3 years thats 1.8 million add some council money and FFA special allowance ...

 

[Gratis]

I'd get in on that

 

[nearlyyellow]

Somehow I would suggest thats no going to happen. If I were to read between the lines he is leaving because he is not happy with the direction of the club, especially the moves to North Sydney. As Mayor he can probably say a lot more about it now.

While it's sad to see Lawrie no longer directly involved with the club, it does mean that he is now free to participate in Council votes that relate to the club.

I think the two are linked, aren't they? He will have no conflict of interest in votes on matters that affect the Mariners and won't have to abstain from voting. It doesn't automatically follow that he will vote in favour of anything that MC wants to do. I suspect that you may be right bilo, opposition may be in store for MC.

 

[dibo]

If I was a Gosford or Wyong ratepayer, I would rather my council spend my money on facilities and infrastructure than directly investing in an enterprise that has lost money for the last 10 years and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

I'd agree with you *except* for the 'forseeable' bit. I can foresee the basic structure of the club's budget changing markedly with the next TV deal.

The last one bumped our annual grant by ~$600k, with average crowd and viewer numbers across the league looking very strong* I'd be stunned if we didn't see both bigger TV dollars for each club and the broadcasters basically demanding expansion of the league to get more product.

Taking games to NSO weakens the main strength we have - the parochial attachment of 80% of our members (and additionally of others like myself who live in Sydney but support CCM because I am a coastie ex-pat). Diluting that puts the club at potentially greater risk than trying to ride out a couple of leaner years.

FFA should put a stop to it. As we expand, the A-League is going to have to learn how to make smaller clubs work. CCM is just one of the smaller clubs that will have to survive for the A-League to thrive - in future there will be more.

Buggering up CCM will tell the potential owners and supporters of future small clubs that there's really no point.

*Crowds are up another 13% so far this year, after a 6% bump last year, an 18% bump the year before, a 24% bump the year before... We're up 74% on 2010/11!

 

[dibo]

Yep from Lawrie Mckinna

first started to do work on behalf of Central Coast Mariners on Feb 2004 before the club even had a name. We started to train on 1 March 2005 at Mingara and since this day our little club has achieved so many things and will continue to achieve into the future. 4 Grand Final appearances and winning 1, 2 Premiers Plates a pre season cup win as well and many ACL appearances . It's been well documented we used to have the best community model and hopefully we will continue to be the best community minded A league club . After a lot of consideration I have decided to step down from my role as CCM Ambassador and for the first time in over 10 years I will no longer be associated with the club in a profession position. I will still be a great supporter for our club but as a fan not as a coach, GM of Football or Ambassador.See you on the 27 December at Central Coast Stadium

It's a pretty big thing for the club's original icon manager, a bloke who basically rattled a tin up and down the coast for years to keep the club going as well as coaching the side to two grand final appearances and a league win, to stick two fingers up at Charlesworth in such a way.

It's a very public vote of no confidence in the so-called 'Northern expansion'.

 

[true believer]

TOTALLY AGREE ... I would add me thinks a bit like Fat Tony at the Fold Coast, and Con at the Jets that maybe MC is not flavour of the month at FFA ... meaning FFA would also love to hear and could even offer some financial support [no inside info on FFA just a gut feeling, re PFA, MV and FFA over the playing surface at NSQ add Fox and lighting issue as well]

Say 6, 000 members at $ 300.00 over 3 years thats 1.8 million add some council money and FFA special allowance ...

do you believe we could run the club on the kind of money , middy ?
I believe it sounds doable .

 

[BrisRecky]

So...lawrie Mc has pulled the pin(or was he pushed) on his CCM career...I suspect that used car salesman, bloody Stadler, had a bit to do with the decision....he never wanted Hizzonor there anyway....they say he resigned, they also said at the forum they wouldn't move any games....now they could tell me the sky was blue and I'd check.....

 

[rbakersmith]

they also said at the forum they wouldn't move any games

You must have been at a different forum to me, because they clearly said they were going to move games.

 

[rbakersmith]

The club's response:

NEWS: Mariners recognise McKinna's contribution

Lawrie McKinna
Monday, 1 December 2014-
@CCMariners

Central Coast Mariners wish to publicly recognise the contribution of former head coach and staff member, Lawrie McKinna, who today stepped down as the Club’s official ambassador.
McKinna has worked conscientiously in the Central Coast community over the past ten years to assist the Club on a variety of levels.

As a coach McKinna helped the Club reach two Hyundai A-League Grand Finals and win the 2008 Hyundai A-League Premiership.

After the 2009/10 season McKinna transitioned into an administrative role at the Club, first as Football & Commercial Operations Manager, then as Director of Football.

He also spent time abroad during these roles as coach of Chengdu Blades in the Chinese Super League, and Chongqing Lifan of China’s League One.

McKinna was present at the Club’s F3 Derby draw against Newcastle Jets on Sunday, and noted on his official Facebook page today that he will continue to support the Mariners as a fan.

Central Coast Mariners hope to continue a close relationship with McKinna, however accepts his decision to stand down as the Club’s official ambassador.

McKinna is active as a Hyundai A-League commentator on ABC Radio, and will be part of the ABC’s call team alongside Steve Allan at North Sydney Oval this Friday night when Central Coast Mariners take on Melbourne Victory.

http://www.ccmariners.com.au/articl...y0z9k0rrs4xw1wrivcttb6r3j#BqWpwVfXg3PFL5Fw.99

 

[Einstein]

Pathetic

 

[FFC Mariner]

He used to work here and now he doesnt - what a glowing tribute.

The stoner clearly didnt want him around.

Local association relationship burned? Check
Lied to members and they are burnt? Check
Community icon driven out? Check

This is either ineptitude on a level never before seen in football or part of a deliberate plot to burn the coast and move.

Im leaning towards bumbling ineptitude

 

[dibo]

Yeah, I don't think they could organise something as cunning as burning a market.

 

[rbakersmith]

Interesting... from Gatty:

On top of Lawrie McKinna's sad decision, I can reveal the Mariners have hired former West Ham MD, Peter Storrie as a consultant.

Storrie, who helped West Ham form a youth academy in Blacktown and WA, will advise owner Mike Charlesworth on a number of matters

 

[dibo]

Apparently every club in NSFA has been handed a bunch of free tickets. I wonder how much money you make from those?

 

[nearlyyellow]

Apparently every club in NSFA has been handed a bunch of free tickets. I wonder how much money you make from those?

Yeah, and do the freebies contribute to the boasting opportunity by the CCM Admin. about crowd sizes at NSO? No Fair! Shouldn't.

 

[Capt. Awesome]

If there were people rallying a bid to run the club in a community ownership based model, now would be a great time to break cover, and seek support from the two councils and FFA.

How would it work? I've heard of community ownership models but can you tell me how the finances work and maybe some successful examples.

 

[Capt. Awesome]

We really need a strong leader that can head this up. Need someone with contacts in council strong links with the FFA. Now that lawrie is free of his conflict of interest he could lead the charge in this.

 

[kevrenor]

Interesting... from Gatty:

Oh lordie, that academy at Blacktown was a huge success ....