Dear Arnie,
as we end the season on a high and head towards our great showdown with Brisbane Roar, I feel an overwhelming need to express my gratitude and admiration for all you have achieved since you joined the Mariners.
To be perfectly honest Arnie, when Perez finally scored an 89th minute winner in the wind and rain on Sunday I wanted to rush onto the pitch and suffocate you with a wet plastic poncho hug. In a season full of triumphs, it was the final step up the ladder and a good omen for the weeks ahead.
It's hard to believe it was only a year ago that Lawrie announced he was handing over the reins to you. Football management is one of the most difficult jobs in the world but what could be more daunting than taking over from such a popular and successful coach ? Fans and pundits were predictably negative about your appointment and it must have taken great strength of character to rise above it all.
As for me, I'd followed your career since Northern Spirit days and knowing how highly regarded you were by Pim and Guus I was happy to see what you could do. Although I cried the day Lawrie left the bench, I was sick of watching my team lose and looked forward to a fresh start. But it was when I heard you speak that first fan day at Bluetongue that I had a really good feeling. You didn't make grand statements or give false promises, you simply asked sincerely for our support.
And that's what's impressed me about you, Arnie. No hysterics, no pomposity, just hard work, a well-organised system and a willingness to back your players. In truth, fans believe in this team's capabilities because of the great gift you have given us : the gift of consistency.
While we support our team through thick and thin, consistency is what every fan secretly dreams about. Consistency breeds confidence and nurtures belief, on and off the pitch. Consistency increases our hopes and magnifies our enjoyment of every game. Week by week, you have given us this great gift, Arnie, building a squad that believes in itself because it knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that it can and will overcome any obstacle.
And it's not simply consistent results but consistently great football, football that has left even our most biased critics gobsmacked. Never again will we have to defend every idiot accusation of 'ugly long ball', never again will we endure patronising sneers about our lack of discipline.
This team has patience and despite its youthful focus, it has maturity. Although tough and tenacious as ever, this team never loses its cool or strays from its game plan. For long-time Mariners fans, watching the old guard and the new boys work so well together in this way has simply been amazing. It's as if you've taken everything that was great about Lawrie's era and added your own special lustre.
And believe me, when this team shines, they light up the A-League like a trip to Las Vegas.
Of course, what is most satisfying, Arnie, is seeing all the doubters and the critics suddenly forced to acknowledge how good we are. Forced to admit they underrated you and that foreign coaches are not the ants pants after all. How exciting will it be to see to watch two great Aussie coaches pit themselves against each other over the next two weeks ?
It's such a relief, such a joy to support this team, Arnie. The pride you have brought back to the fans and to the club is something special for which we could never thank you enough.
What I've been trying to say Arnie, can best be summed up in the mangled words of former England captain Alan Mullery - you've really 'adhered' yourself to the fans. Lawrie may continue to be the man of the people but you will never be in his shadow. Despite some pre-season mumblings (okay, moans and groans) we're stuck like superglue, we're by your side. We'll face Roar together at Bluetongue and at Suncorp and be there for whatever challenges the Finals throws at us.
There is a lot of work ahead of you and there will no doubt be some difficult moments. Please know that we will be with you every step of the way and whatever happens you've already made this season our most exciting to date.
At the beginning of the season you said you had 'nothing to prove'. But guess what ? You've proved it anyway.
You've been the captain of your own boat, Arnie. You've charted your own course and trusted your own abilities and that is inspiring. I have every faith that you will steer us safely home.
Regards and Good Luck,
Julia
