Central Coast Mariners FC 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 four teams from the state of New South Wales playing in the competition. The Mariners were the first professional 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, the club has been one of the most successful, with two Premier's Plates, two second placings, six finals series appearances in eight seasons, one Championship from four Grand Final appearances and three appearances in the AFC Champions League. read more