Central Coast have announced that 12-year club veteran John Hutchinson will be leaving Gosford Park.
Only hours after Paul Okon was appointed as the new Head Coach, current assistant Hutchinson has come to a mutual agreement to depart the Mariners in search of other opportunities.
In a statement released to the media, the 36-year-old gave a passionate farewell to the club where he recorded a total of 228 A-League appearances.
“I have been really happy and grateful to be a part of the Central Coast Mariners for the past 12 years, it’s something I’ll treasure for a long time and I’m just looking forward to the next chapter and where it takes me,” Hutchinson said.
“The club needs to move forward and all I want is what’s best for the club and hopefully as a club we can move up the ladder and have a more successful season.
“Whether I stay on the Coast or not will be based on the next chapter of the life of a football coach that hopefully continues and I look forward to the next step in that journey.”
Hutchinson leaves behind a legacy that will no doubt be hard to top for anyone at Gosford Park, holding the record for the most appearances in the yellow and navy, while also captaining the team to the 2013 A-League championship.
“I’ve been grateful for the opportunities that this club has given me as a player for 10 years then as a coach for a season and a bit.
“The Members & fans have been incredible, to see their smiling faces after games and after we won the grand final has been the pinnacle of my career.
“I just want people to remember the good times, not the bad times. I’ve always loved the fans – even the ones that have given me stick and I look forward to seeing the club move up the ladder.”
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