Mariners Centre of Excellence is GO!

[MrCelery]

I`m a huge Craig Johnston fan.I loved him as a player but after reading his book "Walk Alone" I became an even bigger fan of his as a person.

For the uninitiated,
Craig was a Lake Macquarie boy,went to England at 16,got told he was the worst footballer ever by a respected manager,practiced practiced practiced.Signed by Middleborough then transferred to Leverpool.
Scored In the FA Cup win & basically turned his back on Liverpool (at the height of his career)to come home & help look after his sick sister.

I would recommend his book to anyone.

It`s a very inspirational read.I made the mistake of lending my copy & never got it back.I tried to buy another copy from the Liverpool stare at Anfield & the shop assistant said" WHO`s CRAIG JOHNSTON".

To have him connected to the MARINERS in any way,shape or form would be sensational..

It would be super if Craig was involved. I knew him as a nipper at Booragul High. Even then it was obvious he was destined for greatness. We older kids used to try to tackle him in our recess and lunchtime kickabouts - not much luck!

Later I had the pleasure of staying with him and his girfriend (later wife), and pet rabbits, in Middlesborough. And later in 1980 he and I stood on the terraces at the FA Cup final between Arsenal and West Ham. I asked him at the game how great it would be for him to score in a Final. So I was especially thrilled when he did just that in later years.

Craig and I in Craig's Middlesborough house:

 

[dibo]

Interesting that Four Corners were filming at the COE a couple of weeks ago.

Has anyone ever seen a positive story from Four Corners?

Four Corners are doing a story on the cost of football, insurance, etc. I think they're looking at rep and local football, and focussing on juniors.

 

[MrCelery]

I`m a huge Craig Johnston fan.I loved him as a player but after reading his book "Walk Alone" I became an even bigger fan of his as a person.

snip

I would recommend his book to anyone.

It`s a very inspirational read.I made the mistake of lending my copy & never got it back.I tried to buy another copy from the Liverpool stare at Anfield & the shop assistant said" WHO`s CRAIG JOHNSTON".

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Craig-Johnston-Story-Walk-Alone-Liverpool-FC-/250840983775

 

[midfielder]

I know this must sound mercenary …. However it is worth asking….

The sitting member HHHHHHHHHHMMMMM Craig is looking a tad shaky … if he goes … OK big if … BUT if he goes …. Our seat will decide who governs…

Without asking for too much from the winner … what could we ask for…. HHHHHHmmmm puts on thinking cap …. My list … I accept some on my list may be a tad high but if you don’t ask you never know…

1] A 12 to 15 K stadium located inside the COE…

2] Say 15 million nay 20 million to finish off other COE projects…

Maybe I have not asked for enough… let’s hope behind the smoking gun there is something [not that I have anything against Craig but fairs fair when we are talking COE] … what would TA or GJ pay for our little seat… maybe that high speed Ferry to Manly … or is that just another Epping to Parrmatta rail link story…

 

[roonytunes]

I like your mercenary streak there Mid

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Don't worry about it, he will not go before the next election.

 

[pjennings]

Great idea mid. I think we need to put up Peter Turnbull - independent candidate for Dobell. Preferences to go to whoever can deliver the COE and the 15000 stadium.

 

[marinermick]

Great idea mid. I think we need to put up Peter Turnbull - independent candidate for Dobell. Preferences to go to whoever can deliver the COE and the 15000 stadium.

You do no know that Peter Turnbull is a backdoor Labor Party powerbroker right?

 

[midfielder]

Great idea mid. I think we need to put up Peter Turnbull - independent candidate for Dobell. Preferences to go to whoever can deliver the COE and the 15000 stadium.

marinermick

You do no know that Peter Turnbull is a backdoor Labor Party powerbroker right?

HHHHHHHHHmmmmmmmm who is going to ask TA for some coin ...

 

[Bex]

Lots of work going on on the pitch at the moment. Big hole in the ground probably two metres deep and a number of decent sized earthmovers scattered around. First steps are definitely happening verhead:

 

[Marquee]

Pics of the construction for those without Facebook:

http://tinyurl.com/3wlqurw
http://tinyurl.com/437j3cr
http://tinyurl.com/3ud8syo
http://tinyurl.com/3z2ajmy
http://tinyurl.com/3ddyx58
http://tinyurl.com/3o845eh

 

[elevated position]

Try this site and see the building progress as of 4th August. Next photo should be in the next 2 wks if it keeps to its usual pattern.

http://www.nearmap.com/ (google earth alternative)

 

[Bex]

Thanks for the pics

 

[finally retired]

perhaps we can re-jig the academy plans to look something like this http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Video/Features/Planned-Academy-flythrough (as much as I hate those noisy neighbours, it's not too shabby)

 

[midfielder]

Before you all start yelling we are already broke... the gov in NZ plan to build a 17 K stadium … and the cost is 20 million NZ… if you make the stadiums basic there is not need for mega outlays… http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10764600


Give NZ dollars is maybe 80% of our dollar and wages are somewhat relative ... materials cost about the same maybe even cheaper in Australia...

Maybe the next federal election .... a small stadium ...

 

[scottmac]

Before you all start yelling we are already broke... the gov in NZ plan to build a 17 K stadium … and the cost is 20 million NZ… if you make the stadiums basic there is not need for mega outlays… http://www.nzherald....jectid=10764600


Give NZ dollars is maybe 80% of our dollar and wages are somewhat relative ... materials cost about the same maybe even cheaper in Australia...

Maybe the next federal election .... a small stadium ...

Why would the gov. offer a stadium to a region that only has one national comp. sporting team and never fills the stadium that is currently there? Isn't there a thread for stadium pipe dreams?

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Football isn't the only game played in NZ.

In fact, you'll notice that the heading called it a 'rugby' stadium. Sheesh!

Their national rugby comp is professional and televised (seems to have quite a bit of support actually), and not to mention various league and union international matches.

We don't need any more stadiums though - I can't imagine why the CoE would need anything more than a few covered grandstands

 

[elevated position]

I 'll be more than happy if the COE main ground is the same as Knox college. Not Covered but I have a hat

 

[elevated position]

Latest Nearmap photo of the COE (21 Oct)shows that alot of progress has taken place including what looks like the player facilities under the grandstand.

 

[midfielder]

From CC Express Adv... Big expansion to boost Ourimbah Campus

The $7.7 million Exercise and Sport Science building will provide specialist facilities for two of the of the campus’s newest programs, Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology.

It will contain three specialist teaching spaces and laboratories for the Exercise and Sport Science program. This includes specialist spaces for the psychology program to support research and group work, three general purpose classrooms and a gym.

http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/big-expansion-to-boost-ourimbah-campus/

Is this going to be build at the COE ... I remember this was one of the big selling parts of the COE the connect with Newcastle Uni...

At the 1:09 it starts to show the sports medical centre...

http://wm.a-league.com.au/HAL/CCM/ccm_081222_enc.wmv