Central Coast Mariners’ fans have woken up to the sounds of Sonny and Cher’s ‘I Got You Babe’ for another day.
The almost immediate sacking of Mike Mulvey following the 8-2 loss to Wellington has marked the end of another chapter in this sad era for the club.
Much has been made of Mulvey’s reign being book-ended by 8-2 defeats. And with only one win in 21 games in the league, his dismissal was seemingly inevitable.
But the malaise the Mariners currently find themselves in is much bigger than Mulvey or season 2018-19.
Since their semi-final loss to the Wanderers in the 2013-14 season, the Mariners have never finished a season higher than eighth. They’ve scooped up two wooden spoons with a third in five seasons inevitable.
In the league, Central Coast have played 129 matches from the start of the 2014-15 season to the 8-2 demolition on the weekend and have won only 19 games. That’s a winning percentage of nearly 15%.
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How did it get so bad?
Blame has been laid many places. The managerial appointments of late have all been filled with potential but have never lasted two full seasons.
The coaches seem to be an easily removable part of a bigger problem.
The playing squad has talent but never seems to gel.
The Bolt circus was definitely a waste of time but can’t be blamed for how things have gone down this season.
The owner, Mike Charlesworth, also cops plenty of blame with the way in which the club is run, especially in a financial sense, often pointed to.
With no promotion and relegation, the Mariners are simply allowed to flounder and have been for almost five full seasons.
The fans have been steadily voting with their feet. The club’s three lowest ever crowds have all occurred this year.
Something needs to change at the Mariners. But something has needed to change at the Mariners for a while now.
Sonny and Cher may as well get ready to take it from the top.
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