Out with the old, in with the new

The Central Coast Mariners’ goalkeeping stocks have been boosted by the signing of outstanding local prospect Andrew Redmayne, while foundation Mariners custodian John Crawley has been appointed goalkeeping coach for season three.

17-year-old Redmayne has signed on with his hometown club for one season and along with fellow Central Coast product Bradley Porter, fills one of the Mariners’ three mandatory squad positions for players under the age of 20.

Currently one of 25 scholarship holders at the Australian Institute of Sport, Redmayne has been capped by Australia at youth level, having made two appearances for Australia’s Youth Olympic Festival selection in Sydney last January.

Redmayne was also a standby member of Australia’s squad at the 2006 AFC Youth Championships in India, despite being a full three years younger than most of his team-mates.

Redmayne has already made a series of appearances for the Mariners in exhibition fixtures over the past two seasons, most recently a 27 minute cameo from the bench during the Mariners’ 2-0 victory over the Central Coast Lightning in April’s Challenge Cup at Pluim Park.

Redmayne’s selection in the Mariners’ line up for 2007/08 was made possible following the forced retirement of inaugural Central Coast shot stopper Crawley, who’s ultimately career ending hip injury has seen the 35-year-old shift his football focus to the realm of coaching.

Crawley made 13 appearances for the Mariners in all competitions over two seasons at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, keeping four clean sheets in the process and playing an integral role in securing the Mariners’ berth in the finals of the Club World Championship qualifying series and the Pre-Season Cup 2005.

Crawley’s influence in the field of coaching has already reaped massive rewards for the yellow and navy, with current Australian Under 23’s custodian Danny Vukovic just one of many students to have been trained by Crawley from an early age.

“We see Andrew’s signing, and John’s retention in a coaching capacity as a tremendous coup for our club,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

“Andrew is without doubt one of the best talents the Central Coast has ever produced and you need only to see just how much he has achieved in his 17 years to realise that we have secured the services of a very special prospect for season three.

“Aside from this, Andrew is another fantastic example of our policy of looking local first.

“In two seasons we’ve been mindful of showcasing some of the best footballers that the Central Coast has to offer and we’re confident that stories such as Andrew’s will demonstrate to the huge number of juniors playing football locally that there is a very unique straight line pathway that exists on the Central Coast from grass roots level to the biggest stage in Australia.”

Redmayne’s signing, coupled with Crawley’s departure, brings the number of Central Coast players currently contracted for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season to 21, with just one position left to be filled by another player born after 1 January, 1987.

Redmayne is now one of three goalkeepers employed by the Mariners, along with fellow Central Coast local Matthew Trott and fringe Socceroo Danny Vukovic.

Andrew Redmayne

Born 13 January 1989
Height 194cm. Weight 84kg.

Playing History

2005/06 - NSWIS (New South Wales)
2007 - AIS (Victoria)

The Mariners’ next trial match is set for Wednesday June 27, when Lawrie McKinna’s charges will take on a selection of players from the Central Coast Premier League in the third annual Central Coast Charity Plate at Pluim Park. Kick off is at 7:00pm (AEST).

Mariners Memberships for the A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.

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