Central Coast fans will head to the final F3 Derby of the season, and into the finals, with clarity over the club’s future, with the announcement Anytime Fitness co-founder Richard Peil is set to succeed Mike Charlesworth as Mariners chairman.
Peil’s appointment to the board was announced on Saturday morning, with the appointment as chairman pending Football Australia and Australian Professional Leagues approval.
Once that process is complete, Charlesworth will resign as director on the board, with Peil taking a major role funding and providing strategic direction for the club.
“This is an exciting opportunity at a very exciting time for the A-Leagues, and I am here to help the club be the very best that it can be and ensure that this Academy continues to be the most productive Academy in Australia,” Peil said.
“This is a very unique and special football market with huge potential, especially when you consider that on the Central Coast, football is the number one sport, from grassroots all the way through to the professional level.
He added: “When I first came to the Coast, I was really enthused by the opportunity that exists for football and I also saw how much hard work and history had been established in this globally recognised club. I have already been working closely with Monty [Nick Montgomery], Shaun [Mielekamp] and all the staff at the club and there is an exciting future ahead of us.
“I really want everyone to know that I am putting my own personal investment into the club purely to help the club grow. I really hope that this encourages the whole Central Coast community to get right behind their team again.”
Charlesworth, who will continue to own and operate the Mariners Centre of Excellence property in Tuggerah, said: “It has taken a long time to find the right investor for the Central Coast Mariners and I’m convinced Rich is the perfect fit.
“Rich has an excellent track record in the sports industry through his company, Anytime Fitness, and that experience will only help our club grow. Richard’s energy is infectious and it’s great that football runs through his veins. The focus of the club for many years was unashamedly survival, but with a great team of people both on and off the pitch, I’m sure Richard can build on the growth we’ve seen these last couple of years.”
