It’s the trophy like no other for a rivalry like no other.
Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets, two Isuzu UTE A-League clubs separated by the stretch of NSW motorway formerly known as the F3, and now known as the M1, have together unveiled a new F3 Derby trophy.
A core drill sample of the M1 motorway was dug up prior to the first F3 Derby of the 2022-23 A-League Men season, which kicks off at Industree Group Stadium on Sunday, December 11 (3.00pm AEDT). That piece of the M1 was extracted to create what can only be described as one of the most unique trophies in world football.
The trophy will go to whichever club earns F3 Derby bragging rights across each season; in the 2021-22 A-League Men season it was the Mariners who came out on top, winning all three of their games against the Jets.
The Mariners will hold the trophy through the current campaign; if the three F3 Derbies this season end in an equal split of points, Central Coast will retain the trophy for the following season.
Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp says: “the concept was initially floated by the Newcastle Jets and as soon as we heard this, we thought we would see if it was possible. It was, and now there is something that is one of the most unique ideas I have seen in Australian sport.”
“There is something about this that just makes me smile every time I think of the concept and to bring to life the notion of playing for a piece of concrete drilled out of the motorway is as A-League as it gets, and like many others I love the A-League for it.”
Newcastle Jets Executive Chairman Shane Mattiske added: “the F3 Derby is a famous rivalry and one that means so much to our players, our fans, our members and our club. It’s great to now have a trophy to fight for and I know our players will be excited by the thought of earning the right to hold that trophy high and to bring it back to Newcastle for all of our community.”
