The Jason Cummings show is leaving Gosford, with the Central Coast Mariners favourite opting for a new challenge abroad.
Jason Cummings came, he saw and he conquered. Now, the Socceroo has called time on his Central Coast Mariners adventure to join Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant for an undisclosed fee.
After one-and-a-half seasons, an Isuzu UTE A-League Championship and a Joe Marston Medal, the Mariners favourite and talisman is leaving for a new challenge abroad having successfully reignited his career in the A-League.
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The Australia international’s parting gift is his performance in the Grand Final earlier this month – a stunning hat-trick as the Mariners upstaged three-time reigning premiers Melbourne City to end their 10-year drought.
Born in Scotland, Cummings leaves a cult hero, having set a goalscoring record in Gosford, surpassing Daniel McBreen on the back of his 20-goal campaign in 2022-23. He also departs third in the club’s all-time leading goalscorer standings with 31 goals in 50 games in all competitions.
“The boys, the togetherness, the family, Monty and Sergio, what a journey it has been. I have been with the Mariners for a year and a half and Monty and the club have changed my life,” Cummings said.
“My career was at a tough point when I came here and I have fallen in love with the Coast.
“It is the most enjoyment that I have ever had playing football. Off the pitch and on the pitch, I have never experienced anything like it in my life. I cannot thank everyone at the club enough.”
A larger-than-life personality, the 27-year-old arrived in Australia in January 2022 with his career at a crossroads. He had just been released by Scottish outfit Dundee.
Nick Montgomery’s decision to bring Cummings to Central Coast proved a masterstroke as the former Rangers forward became an instant favourite with 10 goals and six assists in his maiden season.
By September that year Cummings was a Socceroo, despite previously representing Scotland. He made his debut against New Zealand in a trans-Tasman friendly and scored away to the All Whites in Auckland.
And when November came around, he was on the plane to Qatar where he wore the green and gold at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Outside of the World Cup and a last-16 berth, Cummings continued to shine for the youthful and exciting Mariners.
His 16 goals in the regular season helped the Mariners clinch a top-two berth and with another four goals in the Finals Series, including a memorable treble against City at CommBank Stadium, Cumming and Central Coast etched their names in the history books.
“What more can I say about Jason that has not already been said! His contribution to not only the Mariners but the A-League in general has been nothing short of incredible,” said Montgomery.
“When I signed Jason I was in no doubt of his quality and he is an inspiration for the way he reignited his career after a tough spell in Scotland where he fell out of love for the game.
“Whilst we are obviously sad to be losing Jason, we are very proud to have helped him achieve his ambition of becoming a Socceroo and representing Australia at a World Cup.
“He leaves the club a legend for his contribution both on and off the field, not only his goals but his leadership. He has wrote himself into history and I have no doubt he will return to the
Coast one day.”
Cummings will link up with Australian pair Dimitri Petratos and Brendan Hamill, who helped the Indian club to their first ISL title last season.
