The Mariners put out a statement on Thursday afternoon, detailing the events around the decision, which means the W-League will not move to a 10-team format.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) will review the decision in 12 months’ time and the Mariners, who haven't competed in the W-League since 2009, confirmed they are eager to explore that option.

According to the Mariners, FFA claimed that the provision of additional change rooms at Central Coast Stadium prior to the 2018/19 A-League and W-League seasons is paramount to their successful inclusion.

Adequate player facilities are fundamental for FFA to ensure Central Coast Stadium can host A-League and W-League double headers.

In response Central Coast listed a series of dot points and said they “are ready NOW and will remain ready to enter a highly competitive elite W-League team that represents our region."

The club said they had committed resources and more than two years of strategic planning to their W-League side right, including securing multi-year major sponsors and a financial commitment equal to the highest investment by all W-League clubs.

Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp said: “Whilst we are extremely disappointed by the decision to delay the introduction of a Mariners W-League team for the 2017/18 season, we are determined to push forward and continue with our plans to join the W-League and play our part in the growth of women’s football.

“We will not give up on this and will continue to work closely with every player, coach, administrator, stakeholder and potential sponsors who have helped us over the last two years with the aim of creating a W-League team that we can be proud of.

“A major factor in the delay is the uncertainty surrounding the current change room situation at our stadium. Whilst we have notional assurances additional change rooms are part of the Stadiums future plans, the reality is that by October this year when we need to have the stadium ready for W-League, it simply won’t be.

“There was easily enough time to get this done and there is easily enough funds, we even offered to pay for it ourselves but this offer was rejected by Central Coast Council. Our politicians at all levels, from all sides, need to link arms for progress here. We need your actions not just your kind words."