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Central Coast Mariners Football Club, also known as The Mariners or The Coast, is a professional association football club based on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. They participate in the A-League and are one of three teams from the state of New South Wales playing in the competition. The Mariners were the first professional football (soccer) club from the Central Coast to compete in a national competition, and were formed during 2004 for the foundation of the A-League in 2005 � 06. Despite being considered one of the smaller franchises at the inception of the A-League competition, Central Coast qualified for the first four domestic finals after their establishment. The Mariners had a successful first season, winning the 2005 Pre-Season Cup and losing in the A-League grand final to Sydney FC. Central Coast made the final of the Pre-Season Cup again in 2006, however lost to Adelaide United. The Mariners came sixth in the 2006 � 07 A-League competition, and failed to qualify for the finals series. The Mariners claimed their first A-League minor premiership in 2007 � 08 by goal difference, holding on after starting the season strongly. The Mariners defeated derby rivals Newcastle Jets in the major semi-final to qualify for the Grand Final, which they lost to the Jets 1 � 0. In the 2008/2009 season The Mariners finished the home and away season in fourth place before slumping to 2 defeats from the QLD Roar in the minor semi-final legs 2 � 0 at home and 2 � 1 away. 2009 also saw the club make its debut in the AFC Champions League, finishing bottom of their group after amassing 2 points after 2 draws and losing the remaining 4 games. |
