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Heffernan home and here to stay until 2010Thursday, 7 June 2007
Dean Heffernan
Getty Images © Getty Images The Central Coast Mariners have received a major boost ahead of their third Hyundai A-League campaign, with season one sensation and Mariners crowd favourite Dean Heffernan signing on with the Central Coast until 2010.
Heffernan has returned home after one season abroad with German Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg, who signed the dynamic wingback on loan following his outstanding debut season with the Mariners in 2006/07.
The comeback of one of Australia’s most exciting talents speaks volumes for the ever growing profile of the Hyundai A-League, with Heffernan’s desire to gain Socceroo selection triumphing over the lure of lucrative contract offers from England, Germany and Norway.
Ultimately, the incentive of Socceroo selection through regular visibility in the A-League, the attraction of the Central Coast lifestyle, coupled with the unwavering ambition of the Mariners to become the centre of excellence for football in Australia were the deciding factors in Heffernan’s move back to Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium for season three of the Hyundai A-League.
Heffernan netted eight goals in 31 competitive appearances for the Central Coast in season one, some of which rank amongst the most memorable strikes in Mariners history.
Heffernan’s headed goal in the second leg of the Minor Semi Final series against the Newcastle Jets in February 2006 is unquestionably one of the Central Coast’s most celebrated goals, and was scored in front of the largest Central Coast football attendance of all time – 17,429.
In fact, Heffernan’s six Hyundai A-League goals at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium in 2005/06 is indeed a record at the Mariners’ bay side arena unparalleled by any other Mariners player over two seasons.
Heffernan’s last-gasp winner against the New Zealand Knights late in the 2005/06 season, and his outstanding equaliser against the Queensland Roar in Round 14 also rank amongst Heffernan’s best moments in yellow and navy, moments that the punditry at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium are eager to see return in 2007/08.
"We’ve made no secret of our desire to see Dean return to the Central Coast and it is with much delight that we are able to confirm today that one of the real crowd favourites at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium will be wearing Mariners colours until 2010," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
"Dean’s performances throughout our debut season were outstanding and the thought of adding his quality to what is already a very strong Mariners squad is exceptionally exciting for our coaching staff and Members alike."
While in Germany, Heffernan made eleven non-competitive appearances for recently crowned DFB Pokal Cup champions 1. FC Nürnberg and a further eleven for Oberliga Bayern side 1. FC Nürnberg II.
Heffernan’s limited game time with the first team can be attributed to a series of injury concerns and also the presence at the club of fellow left-sided fullback Javier Pinola, an Argentinan international.
"As soon as we were ruled out of contention for a finals series place in 2006/07, the coaching staff and I identified some areas in personnel that required attention and I strongly believe that we’ve ticked all the boxes," said Gorman.
"We’ve attracted a proven striker to the club in Sasho Petrovski, an electrifying attacker in Greg Owens, one of Australia’s real emerging talents in Mile Jedinak and now welcomed back arguably the most exciting left back in two editions of the Hyundai A-League – Dean Heffernan,"
"Add to this an outstanding young goalkeeping talent in Andrew Redmayne, as well as a fully fit Nik Mrdja and there is tremendous potential for our team to achieve the success that our Members deserve in season three."
Heffernan’s signing brings the Mariners’ tally of players signed for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season to 19, with Football Manager Lawrie McKinna yet to introduce a third mandatory signing aged 20 or younger at the very least.
Heffernan will not play in Saturday’s third annual Central Coast Charity Plate fixture at Pluim Park, but is a chance to make his first pre-season appearance as soon as next Wednesday, 13 June, when the Mariners travel to Gladesville to take on Spirit FC.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at
www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.
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