Tinkler, FFA agree to keep Jets flying

Updated May 01, 2012 18:26:34

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and mining magnate Nathan Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group (HSG) have buried the hatchet and will work together to keep the Jets franchise and A-League football alive in the Newcastle region.

HSG said in April an "irrevocable breakdown in confidence of the current FFA management" to resolve a number of issues left it with no option but to return the club's licence to football's governing body.

One of HSG's main sticking points was the $5 million acquisition fee that FFA required the group to pay.

FFA threatened legal action and said Tinkler was obliged to uphold his end of the deal until 2020, and there were reports that compromise talks between the two parties last month had broken down.

But the sport's governing body announced on Tuesday that it had "made some concessions in good faith in order to resolve the matters", the Jets will indeed take the field for the 2013 A-League season under HSG's guidance.

Tinkler and FFA chairman Frank Lowy had met face-to-face over the weekend in what the latter called a gesture of "goodwill brought to the table by both parties."

Lowy said he is confident Tinkler and HSG will do right by the franchise and the local community in supporting the sport.

"When Nathan first took on the Newcastle Jets, I welcomed his commitment to running a strong and successful A-League club in Newcastle on behalf of the community of the Hunter region," he said in a statement.

"Today, my confidence is renewed over Nathan's personal drive to make the Jets and the A-League successful.

"We agreed on a way forward that addresses the issues HSG have raised and we are now going to get on with developing the game together in a key region for football.

"With more than 10,000 Jets members and an average crowd this season over 12,000 HSG has demonstrated its ability to engage with the community and to run a successful team and club."

Lowy met with Tinkler in Brisbane at the weekend, a move that impressed Tinkler.

"I took that as a sign of goodwill," Tinkler said in a statement.

"It was a gesture I certainly appreciated.

"I welcomed the opportunity to meet and discuss these issues in person. We now have a way forward and I remain committed to ensuring the Newcastle Jets is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League.

"I am delighted to be able to support the Newcastle Jets on behalf of football fans in the Hunter region and to continue to build a strong relationship with the community.

"When I first made this commitment I did it on behalf of the community and I am committed to further developing football and sport in a community I grew up in and am proud of."

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, newcastle-2300, nsw, australia

First posted May 01, 2012 15:42:56

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High flying Mariners draw with cellar dwellers

Updated January 01, 2012 09:44:46

Bottom-placed Gold Coast United ruined the Central Coast's New Year's Eve party when it halted the Mariners' six-match winning streak in front of their biggest home crowd of the season.

The A-League's table-toppers were held to a 0-0 draw in a clash that lacked fireworks in front of a bumper 14,838-strong crowd in Gosford.

The Mariners have played a home match every New Year's Eve since the competition's inception.

Gold Coast made a bright start with Ben Halloran creating the contest's first chance, connecting with an Adama Traore ball for a shot just 10 minutes in.

The Mariners were not too far behind with teen star Mustafa Amini providing a great through ball to fellow Olyroo Bernie Ibini, whose shot forced Gold Coast gloveman Jerrad Tyson into action.

The shots were not only limited to the strikers with Mariners full-back Pedj Bojic making a run forward for an attempt at goal twice in the opening half.

Ibini looked like putting the hosts in front just before the break, again getting the best of the Gold Coast defence but his shot shaved the far post.

The Mariners came bursting out of the blocks in the second stanza with Nigerian-born Ibini connecting with a Michael McGlinchey cross, with his shot stinging the palms of Tyson.

But the visitors' best chance came courtesy of Maceo Rigters, the speedy Dutch import making a menacing run into the box to force a save from Mariners shotstopper Mathew Ryan.

The Gold Coast had the chance to net the late winner when James Brown had his shot saved by Ryan in the 81st minute with Dylan McGowan following up with a long-range effort that sailed over the crossbar.

Olyroos captain Oliver Bozanic could have broken the deadlock for the Mariners with two minutes remaining but his strike was off target.

"You have to remember that it was first against last today and with us away against the top team after they had six wins," Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg said.

"The guys did an extremely good job ... and we had a young goalkeeper in goals and he didn't have to work too hard."

Despite having his team's winning streak broken, Mariners coach Graham Arnold was pleased with his team's effort especially with the Gold Coast's clear intention to form a strong defence.

"The danger was on the counter-attack ... what we were worried about was the pace of James Brown, and Rigters on the break," he said.

"As soon as we saw the team sheet where they had five defenders and two defensive midfielders we knew we were going to have to break them down.

"But I'm very proud of the boys, 2011 has been a fantastic year."

Central Coast Mariners: 0

Gold Coast United: 0

Tags: soccer, sport, a-league, robina-4226

First posted December 31, 2011 20:15:25

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