Deej
Well-Known Member
The Central Coast Mariners have today confirmed arguably the biggest recruitment coup in Hyundai A-League history, by announcing Qantas Socceroo legend and Australian sporting icon John Aloisi as the newest addition to their playing roster for season three.
Responsible for the moment that was recently recognised as the greatest in Australian sporting history, 31-year-old Aloisi, assisted by the personal support of John Singletons Bluetongue Brewery, has been signed by the Mariners for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 campaign.
Testament to the enhanced standing of the Hyundai A-League in the world football landscape, Aloisi has opted to ply his trade in Australias top flight after spending the past 15 years of his hugely successful domestic career in Europe.
Furthermore, Aloisis decision to join the Mariners is perhaps the most poignant endorsement yet of the Central Coasts unwavering ambition to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia.
Aloisi will arrive on the Central Coast in the coming days, before accelerating preparations for his Mariners debut in future weeks.
It will be Aloisis first domestic football appearance on home soil in nearly two decades and one that is sure to incite a feverous response from Mariners Members and Australian football fans alike.
"John Aloisi playing in the Hyundai A-League put simply, what a momentous achievement this is for the Central Coast Mariners and for the progression of Australian football," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are understandably delighted to be welcoming a player of Johns stature to our club and we view this as a very significant milestone in achieving our very realistic goal of becoming the centre of excellence for football in Australia.
"Whilst paying tribute to Johns outstanding achievements for his country in the past, we must also remember that here is a player that still forms an integral piece of Australias future international ambitions.
"The thought of one of Australias true sporting icons running out on Bluetongue Stadium and representing the Central Coast region to a national and international audience is one to take the breath away and I, along with all Australian football enthusiasts, am eagerly anticipating Johns contribution to what has already been a very successful season for the Mariners."
Gorman also paid tribute to John Singleton and Bluetongue for their support of Aloisi and the Mariners.
"John Singleton has been a fantastic and passionate supporter of the Central Coast and the Mariners and we are indeed indebted to him and Bluetongue for supporting John Aloisi and of course for his ongoing support of the Mariners through Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium," said Gorman.
Singleton added, "Bluetongue is the most successful premium beer in Australia and its success is entirely due to its sales in the Hunter and Central Coast Region. Bluetongue decided a long time ago to put money back into the community and it has been doing so through Central Coast Rugby League, the recently crowned national Rugby Union champions, Central Coast Rays, the Newcastle Knights and the Central Coast Mariners through Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium. In helping to bring John Aloisi into the Central Coast region it is Bluetongues way of saying thank you to Lawrie McKinna, the Mariners and the people of the Central Coast and Hunter regions."
Aloisi is the only Australian footballer in history to have competed in Europes three major leagues the English Premier League, the Serie A in Italy and Spains La Liga, Aloisi comes to the Central Coast having most recently starred for Spanish outfit Deportivo Alaves.
Aloisis 27 goals at international level sees him boast the second greatest Qantas Socceroos goals tally of all time behind another player to have worn the yellow and navy of the Mariners, Damian Mori.
Some of Aloisis goals are among the most famous ever witnessed in Qantas Socceroo matches, including his match sealing strike against Japan at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and his prolific four goal return at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, also in Germany.
However, one moment that does not contribute to Aloisis official national team register is unquestionably the most cherished of them all.
On 16 November, 2005, Aloisi changed the course of Australian football and wrote an unforgettable chapter of Australian sporting folklore by guiding home the winning penalty of Australias absorbing shoot out win over Uruguay to confirm the Qantas Socceroos participation at their first FIFA World Cup in 32 years.
Another one of the Qantas Socceroos heroes that evening, defender Tony Vidmar, is one member of the Mariners playing roster to have played alongside Aloisi previously, while would be strike partner Sasho Petrovski made his international debut after replacing Aloisi in the inaugural AFC/OFC Challenge Cup against Japan in Shizuoka in 2001.
"Our coaching staff and playing squad have made an exceptional start to the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season and we see Johns recruitment as one that will further strengthen our ambitions for trophies in season three," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are an ambitious club and Im confident that by adding John to our existing playing roster, we have assembled the strongest Mariners line up in our short history and indeed, there is great cause for optimism moving forward.
"This year has seen one stepping stone after another put in place to ensure an outstanding future for our club. The acceleration of this journey has undoubtedly come from the infusion of major shareholder Peter Turnbull into the mix. Peter has been an integral part of the negotiations to secure Johns signature and his passion, understanding of and vision for the game is second to none. There is no doubt that Peters presence has taken our ambition to new levels as is evidenced by the signing of John."
Responsible for the moment that was recently recognised as the greatest in Australian sporting history, 31-year-old Aloisi, assisted by the personal support of John Singletons Bluetongue Brewery, has been signed by the Mariners for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 campaign.
Testament to the enhanced standing of the Hyundai A-League in the world football landscape, Aloisi has opted to ply his trade in Australias top flight after spending the past 15 years of his hugely successful domestic career in Europe.
Furthermore, Aloisis decision to join the Mariners is perhaps the most poignant endorsement yet of the Central Coasts unwavering ambition to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia.
Aloisi will arrive on the Central Coast in the coming days, before accelerating preparations for his Mariners debut in future weeks.
It will be Aloisis first domestic football appearance on home soil in nearly two decades and one that is sure to incite a feverous response from Mariners Members and Australian football fans alike.
"John Aloisi playing in the Hyundai A-League put simply, what a momentous achievement this is for the Central Coast Mariners and for the progression of Australian football," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are understandably delighted to be welcoming a player of Johns stature to our club and we view this as a very significant milestone in achieving our very realistic goal of becoming the centre of excellence for football in Australia.
"Whilst paying tribute to Johns outstanding achievements for his country in the past, we must also remember that here is a player that still forms an integral piece of Australias future international ambitions.
"The thought of one of Australias true sporting icons running out on Bluetongue Stadium and representing the Central Coast region to a national and international audience is one to take the breath away and I, along with all Australian football enthusiasts, am eagerly anticipating Johns contribution to what has already been a very successful season for the Mariners."
Gorman also paid tribute to John Singleton and Bluetongue for their support of Aloisi and the Mariners.
"John Singleton has been a fantastic and passionate supporter of the Central Coast and the Mariners and we are indeed indebted to him and Bluetongue for supporting John Aloisi and of course for his ongoing support of the Mariners through Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium," said Gorman.
Singleton added, "Bluetongue is the most successful premium beer in Australia and its success is entirely due to its sales in the Hunter and Central Coast Region. Bluetongue decided a long time ago to put money back into the community and it has been doing so through Central Coast Rugby League, the recently crowned national Rugby Union champions, Central Coast Rays, the Newcastle Knights and the Central Coast Mariners through Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium. In helping to bring John Aloisi into the Central Coast region it is Bluetongues way of saying thank you to Lawrie McKinna, the Mariners and the people of the Central Coast and Hunter regions."
Aloisi is the only Australian footballer in history to have competed in Europes three major leagues the English Premier League, the Serie A in Italy and Spains La Liga, Aloisi comes to the Central Coast having most recently starred for Spanish outfit Deportivo Alaves.
Aloisis 27 goals at international level sees him boast the second greatest Qantas Socceroos goals tally of all time behind another player to have worn the yellow and navy of the Mariners, Damian Mori.
Some of Aloisis goals are among the most famous ever witnessed in Qantas Socceroo matches, including his match sealing strike against Japan at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and his prolific four goal return at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, also in Germany.
However, one moment that does not contribute to Aloisis official national team register is unquestionably the most cherished of them all.
On 16 November, 2005, Aloisi changed the course of Australian football and wrote an unforgettable chapter of Australian sporting folklore by guiding home the winning penalty of Australias absorbing shoot out win over Uruguay to confirm the Qantas Socceroos participation at their first FIFA World Cup in 32 years.
Another one of the Qantas Socceroos heroes that evening, defender Tony Vidmar, is one member of the Mariners playing roster to have played alongside Aloisi previously, while would be strike partner Sasho Petrovski made his international debut after replacing Aloisi in the inaugural AFC/OFC Challenge Cup against Japan in Shizuoka in 2001.
"Our coaching staff and playing squad have made an exceptional start to the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season and we see Johns recruitment as one that will further strengthen our ambitions for trophies in season three," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"We are an ambitious club and Im confident that by adding John to our existing playing roster, we have assembled the strongest Mariners line up in our short history and indeed, there is great cause for optimism moving forward.
"This year has seen one stepping stone after another put in place to ensure an outstanding future for our club. The acceleration of this journey has undoubtedly come from the infusion of major shareholder Peter Turnbull into the mix. Peter has been an integral part of the negotiations to secure Johns signature and his passion, understanding of and vision for the game is second to none. There is no doubt that Peters presence has taken our ambition to new levels as is evidenced by the signing of John."
