Nick “Monty” Montgomery now has a lifelong fan in Vanuatu – meet cute bub Monty named after the Central Coast Mariners great and clearly now a fan of Paul Okon’s Mariners side.
Championship winner Montgomery, who retired from Hyundai A-League at the end of last season after 116 appearances for the club over five years, revealed on Facebook today that baby Monty had been named after him.
The 35-year-old former EPL midfielder described it as humbling to have the baby named after him.
Montgomery’s link with Vanuatu goes back to 2016.
Central Coast Mariners teamed up with local lad Danny Barton to deliver boxes full of Mariners’ merchandise and football equipment to villages in Vanuatu that were devastated by Cyclone Pam.
Barton, who is a close friend of Montgomery’s, grew up in Vanuatu and has been flying back and forward from the South Pacific undertaking selfless acts of aid well before the Mariners offered their support.
Mariners sign former Jets flyer
Barton even flew the three villagers from Vanuatu to the Central Coast to stay with him for an entire month.
Montgomery has been lucky enough to spend time with his newest friends during their stay on the Central Coast.
“It’s a great story really, Danny grew up in Vanuatu and last year when they had the big storms a lot of the villages were damaged so he’s spent time over there rebuilding,” Montgomery told the club’s website last year.
“They’re like his big family and I’ve become close to them as well through football.”
And now, that link is even stronger now that baby Monty has arrived in the world.
