Orange to be tinged Yellow for Pre-Season Cup Fixture

The Central Coast Mariners will take their defence of the Pre-Season Cup to central New South Wales for a fixture against reigning Hyundai A-League Premiers Adelaide United on Saturday, 22 July at Wade Park, Orange.

Wade Park, a multipurpose oval-shaped facility that has hosted Rugby League, AFL and Cricket, features a 1,000 seater grandstand amongst its 10,000 ground capacity.

Wade Park has once before hosted top-flight football, in October 2002 when a National Soccer League fixture involving the Wollongong Wolves and South Melbourne attracted 3,286 spectators.

The Wolves and South Melbourne played out a scoreless draw on that occasion, leaving the honour of scoring the first ever goal in Orange up to either the Mariners or Adelaide United when the two teams clash in Round Two of the Pre-Season Cup on July 22.

"We're excited by the prospect of taking the Mariners outside of our comfort zone and to one of Australia's fast growing and forward thinking regional centres," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

"Orange City Council must be congratulated for their efforts in bringing this fixture to Orange and I'm sure that both the Mariners and Adelaide United will put on a fine show."

Orange, one of New South Wales' top twenty most populous regional centres, is home to 38,000 residents and is well known as a fruit growing district, but, ironically, does not produce any Orange's because of the city's relatively cold winter climate.

The average maximum temperate in Orange during the winter months is 10º, which should provide somewhat of a culture shock for Lawrie McKinna's squad, who began their pre season training in sweltering Terrigal beach side heat.

Mayor of Orange, Councillor John Davis said that hosting a replay of the 2005/06 A-League Preliminary Final was an outstanding opportunity for the community of Orange and the region to see some of Australia's elite footballers in action in their own backyard.

"Football has a massive following in Central NSW and it is pleasing to see that a A-League Club like the Mariners has the foresight to promote the game further in our region." he said.

"The people of Orange are extremely excited to be a part of this promotion and can not wait to host the Mariners and Adelaide in our beautiful city.

"I'm certain the community will all welcome players, officials and supporters with open arms."

The Mariners will kick off their 2006 Pre-Season Cup campaign at their Central Coast Stadium home on Saturday, 15 July when they take on the Perth Glory. Kick off is at 6pm.