Speaking at the club's first Fan Forum last night, Turnbull said representatives from the Russian group were in his office as recently as Friday to ask for another extension before they provide the “significant sum” they promised to inject in a contract signed on Christmas Eve.

But Turnbull said two separate Australian investors are waiting in the wings due to the club's progress on and off the pitch and hinted that patience was running out with the Russians.

“They still firmly maintain they are committed to their investment,” Turnbull said.

“But similarly, with things happening since such as Soccer5s opening and Travelodge signing their deal and such as the success of the football team, we've had other approaches to invest.

“We're contracted so we're waiting to see how the latest extension goes. But because of the success of Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) and the success of the Centre of Excellence we do have two other groups interested.”

Turnbull joined Arnold, senior players Patrick Zwaanswijk and John Hutchinson, Wyong mayor and club director Bob Graham, and football general manager Lawrie McKinna, who also hosted the night, on a panel to field questions from a crowd of around 150 supporters at Mingara.

Concerns around crowd numbers and community engagement were raised but much of the discussion centred on the club's Centre of Excellence, the multi-faceted development project set to provide alternative revenue streams for the Mariners coffers.

In addition to the recently announced deal with Travelodge to lease the club's new hotel, Turnbull revealed that construction was soon to start on the aquatic centre and that a major medical group has signed on to operate the planned medical centre.

“All of these things add to the Mariners' future and our ongoing financial viability,” Turnbull said.

“We don't have billionaires so we've had to work out our own way to make the Mariners a success and that's by building a real football club.

“I remember when Mile Sterjovski joined, he said it feels like a real football club.”

Turnbull said the hotel and football facilities will host visiting A-League teams as well as touring Asian clubs while Cr Graham spoke of the potential for the Centre of Excellence to host concerts and other sporting events such as the Rugby Sevens.

Arnold said the new training facilities, including pitches for the squad's exclusive use, played a major part in his decision to turn down Sydney FC and stay at Central Coast this season.

“No other club has facilities like this,” he said. “Players have everything they need.

“We have a 'no excuses' motto in the dressing room and the club has given players the opportunity to better themselves.

“This will be the secret to why our players will go overseas.”

In other developments, Turnbull said the board would consider involving a fan-based community model as part of the ownership structure, while it was revealed that the club is deep in negotiations with a new kit supplier for the coming season.

  •  Meanwhile, Dutch import and crowd favourite Zwaanswijk declared he would like to stay on the Central Coast and pursue a coaching career with the club after he retires.