2005–06 Central Coast Mariners FC season
The 2005–06 season was the first for both the Central Coast Mariners and the A-League
Compared with its Sydney rival, the Central Coast Mariners had a far more low-key buildup to the inaugural A-League season. The majority of its squad were experienced players from the defunct National Soccer League. They generally exceeded most expectations, having a very successful season, culminating in two solid displays in the preliminary competitions and reaching the grand final in the A-League.
Players
First team squad
Short term coverShort term cover
Short term cover
Short term cover
Short term cover
Matches
2005-06 Pre-season fixtures
| Round | Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Crowd |
| 1 | 30 March 2005 | Central Coast | 3-0 | Gladesville Spirit | Unknown |
| 2 | 14 April 2005 | Central Coast | 9-0 | Wyoming FC | Unknown |
| 3 | 19 April 2005 | Central Coast | 3-3 | Manly United | Unknown |
| 4 | 25 April 2005 | Central Coast | 3-0 | Blacktown City | No public access |
| 5 | 27 April 2005 | Central Coast | 2-0 | Bonnyrigg White Eagles | Unknown |
| 6 | 8 July 2005 | Central Coast | 6-0 | Townsville | Unknown |
| 7 | 9 July 2005 | Central Coast | 1-2 | Queensland Roar | Unknown |
| 8 | 12 July 2005 | Central Coast | 3-0 | Central Coast select XI | 1500 |
| 9 | 16 July 2005 | Central Coast | 2-0 | New Zealand Knights | Unknown |
Phillips International Soccer Sevens
The Mariners competed in Phillips International soccer sevens tournament played in Hong Kong. Their group featured three of the biggest teams in the world, PSV, Manchester United and Celtic. The Mariners caused one of the upsets of the tournament by defeating a somewhat understrength Manchester United 2–1.| Round | Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Crowd |
| 1 | 28 May 2005 | HKF Association Chairman's Select | 2-1 | Central Coast | Unknown |
| 2 | 28 May 2005 | Central Coast | 2-0 | Hong Kong Football Club 2 | Unknown |
| 3 | 28 May 2005 | Central Coast | 0-0 | Celtic | Unknown |
| Quarter Final | 29 May 2005 | Central Coast | 2-1 | Manchester United | Unknown |
| Semi Final | 29 May 2005 | Central Coast | 0-1 | PSV | Unknown |
Club World Cup Qualification Competition
The Mariners were runners-up to Sydney FC in the qualifying tournament held to determine Australia's entry in the FIFA Club World Cup, losing in the grand final 1–0.2005 Pre-Season Cup
Group B| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| Sydney FC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Central Coast | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Queensland Roar FC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| New Zealand Knights FC | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
2005-06 A-League fixtures
2005-06 Finals series
Ladder
Finals
Statistics
Goal scorers
End of Year Awards
- Mariners Medallist - player of the year, as voted by Club members:
- * Michael Beauchamp
- Chairman's Award - awarded for outstanding service to the club:
- * John Hutchinson and Ben Coonan
- Golden Boot :
- * Stewart Petrie
- Jesters' Pies Marinators' Goal of the Year:
- * Noel Spencer, round 1 vs Perth Glory
- Central Coast Mariners Members Player of the Year Award:
- * Andre Gumprecht'''