Central Coast Mariners have confirmed that long-serving Goalkeeping Coach and Video Analyst John Crawley has parted ways with the Gosford-based club.
Crawley’s departure paves the way for retiring Mariners’ goalkeeper Matthew Nash to take up the role of Goalkeeping Coach for the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season.
‘JC’ as he is affectionately known, joined the Mariners in the lead up to the inaugural season of the A-League as first choice goalkeeper but moved into a coaching role due to injury.
Beyond his role as a Goalkeeping Coach, ‘JC’ has also been crucial to the Mariners tactical approach with video analysis that helped build success under Lawrie McKinna, Graham Arnold, Phil Moss and most recently Tony Walmsley.
Nash, who has featured as a player for the Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC commenced his role as Goalkeeping Coach this week and Walmsley is confident he is the right man for the job.
“I’m delighted that Nashy has taken the opportunity to move into a coaching role. He’s been coaching elite keepers for a long time and took on some work while JC was on international duty,” Walmsley said.
“The decision to retire from playing is not an easy one, but these opportunities are rare.
“Nashy is a great character, he’s professional and has the respect of the playing group and with so many changes it was important to recruit someone we know and trust,” Walmsley said.
