Mariners re-sign Clark and Mrdja
Clark, who has been a cornerstone contributor to the Mariners? defensive steel since season one, has also worked as the clubs Strength & Conditioning Coach since its inception, making the local product one the genuinely unique talents in Australian football.
Over three seasons with his hometown club, Clark has made 70 competitive appearances, including two in the current 2008 Pre-Season Cup competition.
Striker Mrdja has largely struggled through three injury-dominated seasons, although, on occasions when fit has proven his place as one of Australia?s most lethal and uncompromising attacking weapons.
Knee concerns have restricted Mrdja to nine Hyundai A-League starts over three campaigns, during which time the Perth-born marksman has netted three goals and showcased enough from to warrant a Qantas Socceroos debut in September of last year.
With his long-term knee injury now behind him and, in the words of the player ?better than ever?, Mrdja has signed on for another season on the Central Coast, which includes an option for a follow up season in 2009/10.
“We?re delighted to have today secured the services of two of our key foundation players and, it must be said, two players that have had quite differing fortunes in Mariners colours since our inception,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“Andrew has been a pillar of strength in more ways than one for us ? his effort off the pitch is seldom recognised and really needs to be seen to be believed and to that end, Andrew has contributed immensely to the success of the Mariners for the past three years and we?re delighted that he?ll have the opportunity to do so again in season four.
“Nik has been most unfortunate with some quite serious injury concerns, but he has worked extremely hard and to a stringent and specific rehabilitation program for almost six months now to ensure that he will be right to go for the new campaign.
“On the occasions that Nik has been available, he has demonstrated quite clearly that he is potentially the best striker in the Hyundai A-League and I?m excited, as I?m sure our Members and supporters will be, at the prospect of a fully fit Nik Mrdja adding to our already imposing front line in 2008/09.”
With Clark and Mrdja?s re-signings, the Mariners have recruited ten members of their inaugural 20-man squad to spearhead the yellow and navy?s fourth Hyundai A-League charge.
Both Clark and Mrdja were starters for the Mariners in their first ever competitive match ? against the Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium in the opening round of the Club World Championship qualifying series on 7 May, 2005.
Mrdja netted the Mariners? first ever competition goal ? from the penalty spot against Adelaide United in the semi final of the aforementioned Club World Championship qualifying series and is also the only Mariners player to have netted a hat-trick in a competitive fixture, a feat that he has achieved on two occasions.
Similarly, Clark netted the Mariners? first ever goal in a trial match fixture ? against Spirit FC at Christie Park in March 2005, some two months out from the Mariners? first ever competitive fixture.
“We?re now less than a month away from the Hyundai A-League kick off and I?m satisfied with where we are at in terms of our recruitments and retentions with an aim to emulating and improving upon our achievements from season three,” said Gorman.
“Today?s re-signings of Andrew and Nik is another significant step forward and I?m certain that when we line up against the Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium on 15 August, we?ll be represented by a line up as strong as has ever been put together by the yellow and navy of the Mariners.”
