Post by dru on Feb 14, 2007 7:56:44 GMT 10
from mariners website
Wilkinson handed two-year deal and captaincy
Wednesday, 14 February, 2007 - 8:30AM
Alex WilkinsonEver-present Central Coast Mariners defender Alex Wilkinson has celebrated a new two-year arrangement that will keep him on the Central Coast until 2009 by accepting the captain’s armband from Football Manager Lawrie McKinna for the forthcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Wilkinson, 22, is the only player to have started every fixture of the Mariners’ 60-match competitive history, spanning from May 2005’s Club World Championship qualifying series to the final round of the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League regular season.
Of those 60 matches, Wilkinson has missed only 26 minutes of match time, having being substituted in four matches over two seasons.
In over 5,000 minutes of game time, Wilkinson has accumulated just four yellow cards and, along with the Newcastle Jets’ Matthew Thompson, Queensland Roar’s Hyuk-Su Seo and Sydney FC’s Clint Bolton, is the only player to have started every match of their respective club’s Hyundai A-League history.
Wilkinson has worn the captain’s armband on six occasions previously for the Mariners, when he deputised for former skipper Noel Spencer at the tail end of the Central Coast’s second Hyundai A-League campaign.
Wilkinson’s tenure as captain inspired the Mariners to one of their most impressive streaks of 2006/07, with the yellow and navy recording three wins, one draw and two losses under Wilkinson’s stewardship, which included marshalling the Central Coast defence to a record four consecutive clean sheets.
"Wilko has been one of the cornerstone members of our playing squad for two seasons now and is a player that we see playing an integral role for us on and off the pitch in the coming years," said Football Manager McKinna.
"He’s a true professional and a terrific role model for aspirant footballers in the community and as club captain; he is a player who sets a perfect example for each of our squad members to follow.
"We’re delighted to have secured his services for another two seasons and with a packed international calendar on the horizon, I’d be very surprised not to see Wilko make a handful of appearances in green and gold, as well as the yellow and navy of the Mariners."
Wilkinson is the most capped youth international player to have worn a Mariners jersey.
Between 2000 and 2003, Wilkinson made 26 appearances for Australia at both Under 17 and Under 20 level – representing his country at the 2001 FIFA Under 17 World Championships in Trinidad and Tobago and 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates.
In August 2006, Wilkinson was a late addition to the Socceroos’ 22-man train-on squad that would later face Kuwait at Aussie Stadium, but was ultimately trimmed from the final lineup.
Wilkinson’s first appearance as the Mariners’ new club captain will be when the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League season kicks off later this year, where Wilkinson and his teammates will be hoping to re-establish the Mariners as one of the premier forces in Australian football.
"The Mariners have been really good to me and I’ve really enjoyed my time on the Central Coast and I’ve never had any intention of going to any other club in the Hyundai A-League," said Wilkinson.
"I’m glad to have extended my time with the Mariners and I look forward to leading the boys out in 2007/08.
"It’s always just that little bit more special to captain your side and I’m thankful that the club has shown faith in my ability and I’m looking forward to the challenge of what responsibilities lie ahead as captain of the Mariners.
"It’s an honour and a privilege to wear the captain’s armband and I, along with my teammates, will be doing all that we can to ensure that the Mariners are involved at the business end of the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League season."
congratulations Wilko
Wilkinson handed two-year deal and captaincy
Wednesday, 14 February, 2007 - 8:30AM
Alex WilkinsonEver-present Central Coast Mariners defender Alex Wilkinson has celebrated a new two-year arrangement that will keep him on the Central Coast until 2009 by accepting the captain’s armband from Football Manager Lawrie McKinna for the forthcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Wilkinson, 22, is the only player to have started every fixture of the Mariners’ 60-match competitive history, spanning from May 2005’s Club World Championship qualifying series to the final round of the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League regular season.
Of those 60 matches, Wilkinson has missed only 26 minutes of match time, having being substituted in four matches over two seasons.
In over 5,000 minutes of game time, Wilkinson has accumulated just four yellow cards and, along with the Newcastle Jets’ Matthew Thompson, Queensland Roar’s Hyuk-Su Seo and Sydney FC’s Clint Bolton, is the only player to have started every match of their respective club’s Hyundai A-League history.
Wilkinson has worn the captain’s armband on six occasions previously for the Mariners, when he deputised for former skipper Noel Spencer at the tail end of the Central Coast’s second Hyundai A-League campaign.
Wilkinson’s tenure as captain inspired the Mariners to one of their most impressive streaks of 2006/07, with the yellow and navy recording three wins, one draw and two losses under Wilkinson’s stewardship, which included marshalling the Central Coast defence to a record four consecutive clean sheets.
"Wilko has been one of the cornerstone members of our playing squad for two seasons now and is a player that we see playing an integral role for us on and off the pitch in the coming years," said Football Manager McKinna.
"He’s a true professional and a terrific role model for aspirant footballers in the community and as club captain; he is a player who sets a perfect example for each of our squad members to follow.
"We’re delighted to have secured his services for another two seasons and with a packed international calendar on the horizon, I’d be very surprised not to see Wilko make a handful of appearances in green and gold, as well as the yellow and navy of the Mariners."
Wilkinson is the most capped youth international player to have worn a Mariners jersey.
Between 2000 and 2003, Wilkinson made 26 appearances for Australia at both Under 17 and Under 20 level – representing his country at the 2001 FIFA Under 17 World Championships in Trinidad and Tobago and 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates.
In August 2006, Wilkinson was a late addition to the Socceroos’ 22-man train-on squad that would later face Kuwait at Aussie Stadium, but was ultimately trimmed from the final lineup.
Wilkinson’s first appearance as the Mariners’ new club captain will be when the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League season kicks off later this year, where Wilkinson and his teammates will be hoping to re-establish the Mariners as one of the premier forces in Australian football.
"The Mariners have been really good to me and I’ve really enjoyed my time on the Central Coast and I’ve never had any intention of going to any other club in the Hyundai A-League," said Wilkinson.
"I’m glad to have extended my time with the Mariners and I look forward to leading the boys out in 2007/08.
"It’s always just that little bit more special to captain your side and I’m thankful that the club has shown faith in my ability and I’m looking forward to the challenge of what responsibilities lie ahead as captain of the Mariners.
"It’s an honour and a privilege to wear the captain’s armband and I, along with my teammates, will be doing all that we can to ensure that the Mariners are involved at the business end of the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League season."
congratulations Wilko
