Central Coast Mariners have confirmed the departure of Taylor Ray, who moves on to a new opportunity upon the expiration of her contract.
Ray was a headline signing for the club as she joined ahead of the Ninja A-League 2024-25 season on a one-year contract, after spending the previous seven seasons with Sydney FC where she amassed over 60 appearances, won three Championships and earned her first Matildas cap.
Ray impressed in the early stages of the season as a midfielder, but would play the majority of the season out of position as a centre-back due to injuries in that area, contributing to seven clean sheets and not looking out of place whatsoever.
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The Matildas midfielder’s reliability was highlighted by the fact that she played every single minute of the Mariners’ regular Ninja A-League season.
Ruled out of Central Coast’s Semi-Final First Leg clash with Melbourne City after picking up an ankle injury in the Elimination Final win over Canberra, but battled back to recover in time for the second-leg and pushed through the entire 120 minutes of the club’s iconic Grand Final win over Melbourne Victory.
Her performances did not go unnoticed as she picked up the Mariners’ Women’s Player of the Year, Maccas Fans’ Women’s Player of the Year and the Mariners Medal at our 2024/25 Mariners Medal Dinner, whilst adding a fourth Ninja A-League Championship to her trophy collection.
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New Mariners head coach Kory Babington said Ray’s departure was a significant loss for a club now undergoing a significant rebuild following the off-season exit of former head coach Emily Husband, captain Bianca Galic and Matildas defender Jessika Nash.
“We know that Taylor Ray is a huge loss after what she contributed to the Mariners during the past year.” Babington said.
“Taylor is a versatile, technical player with high-level football IQ and is a serial winner. She is tenacious in the tackle, disciplined, mentally tough and reliable in big matches. We wish her all the best as she continues her career.”
“Looking forward, the staff and I are busy recruiting talent for the 2025-26 squad. After last year’s success and several departures, the team will undergo a significant rebuild for the upcoming season.
“We are looking internationally and locally, through the NPL, CCSC programs, NSW NPL as well as further afield.”
