A-League club Central Coast Mariners are "looking to move a number of home games to North Sydney Oval next season in a bid to curb financial losses, although sources close to the club fear it could lead to an eventual relocation," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
The Mariners "have already agreed to play one game at North Sydney Oval this season" -- against the Wellington Phoenix on Dec. 19 -- and it is understood that a strong attendance "could convince the club to move more home games away from Bluetongue Stadium in a bid to attract fans from south of the Central Coast." The club's shareholders "are losing patience with the rising losses at the club," and Mariners Owner Mike Charlesworth confirmed that "a strategic push into Sydney's northern suburbs was seen as a possible solution to the financial woes." Charlesworth denied that "the club would be rebranded or completely up-rooted from the Central Coast." Sources fear the lower costs of staging games at North Sydney Oval "could lead to an eventual relocation." There are fears that the financial incentive of playing at North Sydney Oval "will sway the directors into moving the majority of home games there" (SMH, 11/26).
