Can you open the gates earlier?

[chippo]

I am a season ticket holder and drive up from Sydney. Depending on the traffic I sometimes get there early and end up having to line up in the big queue that forms before they open the gates. It would really make an outing of it if we could get the gates open earlier and another game - when in season a NSW Premier League Game, or a local junior game and hopefully one day an U20 A League game. It would also mean you sell a bit more gear and food.

[CCMariners]

Hello Chippo,

Thank you for your enquiry, great questions and hopefully our answer suffices!

Firstly, we do open the gates earlier for some games, depending on the occasion. The problem with opening the gates earlier is simple - additional cost of all staff (security, event, hospitality, police, ambulance staff etc.) working at the event which the Mariners pay for.

The problem with having a full game as a 'curtain raiser' is that we would have to open the gates nearly three hours before kick off to fit the game in and the commitments we have on field pre-match from one hour out to kickoff.

Basically we are talking a cost to the Mariners of thousands of dollars to open earlier.

Having said all that we would certainly be looking to accommodate a Central Coast Lightning or Gladesville Spirit game as a curtain raiser if the opportunity arises next season.