Signing news: Championship-winning midfielder returns to Mariners

The Central Coast Mariners have announced 2013 Championship-winning playmaker Michael McGlinchey has returned to the club.

In a huge coup for the Gosford club and new boss Mike Mulvey, McGlinchey has inked a two-year deal that will keep him in Mariners colours until the end of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.

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McGlinchey, a New Zealand international, etched his name in the Mariners’ folklore when he helped the club win their maiden Hyundai A-League Championship trophy on April 21, 2013.

The fast-footed midfielder is one of only two players to score a hat-trick for the Mariners, alongside former striker and Joe Marston medalist Daniel McBreen.

After arriving at the Mariners in 2009, the Celtic junior quickly earned his place as a regular starter under Lawrie McKinna.

Sainsbury

In five seasons with the Mariners, McGlinchey has made 120 appearances in the Hyundai A-League and now boasts 205 in total after his time across the ditch with Wellington Phoenix.

“I’m really excited to be back,” McGlinchey said.

“I’m delighted to get the opportunity to play for this club again.

“When Mike Mulvey and Monty contacted me, it was a no brainer. They didn’t need to sell me the club, I know what the club is all about and I wanted to come back and play for the Mariners.

“When I was here I was so happy on and off the pitch – we went on to be really successful, I’ve got some very fond memories from my time here and I want to create some more.

“I’m in my thirties now and I always said to my wife that if I had the opportunity to come back to this club, I would want to do it. I want to regather that form I had when I was here, I believe I’ve still got that in me,” McGlinchey said

McGlinchey

 

The 31-year-old is another key addition for new coach Mike Mulvey, who welcomed McGlinchey’s qualities both on and off the pitch.

“Michael McGlinchey is a really tricky character on the pitch,” Mulvey said.

“What I like about Michael more than anything else, is that I see him as somebody who is returning to his adopted home.

“When we signed Matt Simon I said we didn’t want just one returning Mariner – Michael McGlinchey fits that mold.

“I can tell that he’s a winner, he wants to improve and he’s excited about what we want to achieve. I’ve spoken to many people about the successful days at the Mariners and two names that came up quite regularly were Michael McGlinchey and Matty Simon.

“We’ve struck, we’ve got him home and I’m really happy about that. It’s not just about bringing back former players.

“It’s about bringing in players who are fit, hungry for success and determined to do their very best for the Central Coast Mariners.

McGlinchey

Central Coast Mariners Squad
Goalkeepers:
Joe GAUCI, Ben KENNEDY, Adam PEARCE
Defenders: Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, Jack CLISBY, Antony GOLEC, Jake McGING, Kye ROWLES
Midfielders: Adam BERRY, Danny De SILVA, Tom HIARIEJ, Michael McGLINCHEY, Jacob MELLING, Mario SHABOW
Attackers: Corey GAMEIRO, Andrew HOOLE, Connor PAIN, Matt SIMON