The Central Coast Mariners are at it again. Languishing close to the bottom of the table a matter of months ago, the side is now flying high, within striking distance of second spot. On the back of an amazing run of home matches, the side is peaking at the right time, and another grand final appearance is looking like a distinct possibility.

Their form has been boosted by ever more loyal support. After the heroics of last season and the growing momentum behind this campaign, the Central Coast community is uniting behind the Mariners – none more so than Genevieve Thyer, also known as ‘Mariner Mum’.

Beginning with last year’s Pre-Season Cup Final, Genevieve and her family have become Mariners tragics. This season they have attended every match, home and away (apart from New Zealand).

Genevieve’s eight kids have always played football, but before the Mariners arrived the family were rugby league supporters. “When league went to Super League we didn’t really follow it and we didn’t really have much to follow after that because we didn’t have anything that was specifically belonging to the Central Coast,” Genevieve says. “The Mariners were the first thing that came to the Coast and really united us and was ours.”

The Mariners staff and players have earned the club an outstanding reputation within the community. Players are active in the community, visiting schools and making public appearances. They are also eager to give thanks to fans like Genevieve, often spending time with them during away matches. Andre Gumprecht famously sat with the travelling Mariners fans for the 3-3 draw in Melbourne.

Just like last year, when Mariners support grew to extreme levels as the side barrelled towards the grand final, Mariners matches are becoming a hot ticket in town. “We take an eight-seater van and maybe now we’re thinking we have to take another van!” Genevieve says. “I believe we can make it to the finals and I still believe that. You see this brilliant play and you think ‘we can get there’, despite everybody else. With all our home games we’re just going to lift and that’ll be it. Watch out Sydney, we’ll have second spot thanks!”

The furthest the Mariners have to travel before the finals is Newcastle, a situation that suggests second place is easily within their grasp. Yet the lack of away matches means the season’s end for one of the new Thyer family traditions, the away putt-putt competition.



“Every away game we find a putt-putt golf course and have a competition with the family,” Genevieve recounts. “Next year we’re going to have a trophy. A hole-in-one is worth a dollar, and if you win, you get two dollars. I thought my money would be safe with the kids, though Sophia’s managed to get a few dollars out of me.”

For even the league’s hardiest supporters, the cost of away travel can deter regular away trips. Genevieve, however, is philosophical about the sacrifices her family have made. “Football’s been something we do as a family. For the joy that we get out of following them, there’s no sacrifice,” Genevieve states. “With a stressful job etcetera, I just think ‘here comes the weekend, I can’t wait’. It’s the price you pay to support a team. And if that promotes football then so be it.”

Reproduced from TheFull90 – the official matchday magazine of the Hyundai A-League www.a-league.com.au Get it at the game!