Mike Charlesworth to hand back Mariners licence to FFA
The future of the Mariners looks dire after owner Mike Charlesworth announced he is departing the club.
Central Coast
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After throwing the Mariners a financial life line seven years ago British telecoms millionaire Mike Charlesworth has revealed he is leaving the club.
Charlesworth pumped $5 million into the struggling club when it was drowning in debt in 2013 and went on to win the grand final against the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0.
But he has attracted criticism ever since for running the club on the sniff of an oily rag.
Charlesworth has announced he will hand the club’s license back to Football Federation Australia (FFA) if a majority investor can’t be secured.
Cellar dweller Mariners have taken out the wooden spoon four times in the past five years and Charlesworth to SBS The World Game frustrated fans would be “happy to see a new direction and I understand that”.
He said several factors contributed to his decision and in particular COVID-19 which killed off prospects of finding another significant financial investor.
“We were in talks with a couple of clubs in Europe but when the coronavirus came along everything changed,” Charlesworth told SBS.
“Everyone is suffering from top to bottom but even more so the small to medium-sized clubs.
“The global market has been very hard hit.”
Ironically the Mariners finished off yet another lack lustre season with a convincing win 3-2 over Melbourne Victory last night.
Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp tweeted the win was “relieving”.
“Relieving win last night a reward for hard work, professionalism and mental toughness in crazy times last night. Emphasised by the news that Mike has decided to depart the club. Stay strong Mariners fans this is a daunting but hopefully exciting part of our wonderful history,” he tweeted.