Reports: Manchester United show interest in Central Coast Mariners A-League license

Matthew Galea13/04/2021 8:16 am07/07/2023

The battle between two of football’s biggest club could soon reach global proportions with reports that Manchester United are in talks to buy Central Coast Mariners.

Reports in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning have linked the Red Devils with the Central Coast Mariners in a bid to purchase the club’s A-League license and move them from Gosford to the northern suburbs of Sydney.

Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan is already the Mariners’ Sporting Director, a post he has held since 2018.

Any purchase of the Mariners’ A-League license and plans to rebrand and move the club from its traditional home on the Central Coast would have to be approved by the majority of A-League clubs.

The move would be United’s first into foreign club ownership and would see them follow in the footsteps of their neighbours, Manchester City.

The City Football Group has a controlling stake in Melbourne City – which they purchased in January 2014, buying an 80% share of the club before later buying out the remaining 20%.

CFG’s stable of clubs also includes New York City (United States), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Girona (Spain), Montevideo City Torque (Uruguay), Sichuan Jiuniu (China), Lommel SK (Belgium) and Troyes AC (France).

The Red Devils have some catching up to do if their plans are to compete with CFG for global domination, but a first foray into foreign ownership in Australia with a potentially rebranded Mariners would put them in direct competition with City in the A-League.

It is unclear how much United will have to pay for the license, however, the club was reported to be worth more than $5 billion by Forbes in 2020.

Despite the club’s strong revenue streams – revenue hit $905 million last year – United is a club that remains heavily in debt as a result of the club’s leveraged takeover by the American Glazer family in 2005.

The Glazers borrowed over £500 million to finance their purchase of the club, a debt the club has been paying off ever since

United’s net debt remains above £450m according to reports from earlier this year.

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Adelaide United renews StudyAdelaide partnership for Asian campaign

Lorcan Marelich18/09/2026 10:10 am18/09/2026

Image Credit: AFC

Adelaide United has brought back a familiar commercial partner for its return to continental competition, with StudyAdelaide signing on as front-of-shirt sponsor for the club’s 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two campaign.

The partnership reconnects two South Australian organisations after StudyAdelaide previously featured on Adelaide United’s shirt during their 2010 AFC Champions League campaign.

Adelaide commenced their six-match group-stage campaign on Thursday at Hindmarsh, defeating Hong Kong’s Tai Po 3-0.

For StudyAdelaide, the value of the partnership extends beyond traditional football sponsorship. The organisation, a partnership between the South Australian Government and more than 50 education institutions, is using Adelaide United’s Asian competition to promote South Australia as an international study destination.

The club’s continental schedule provides exposure in several key Asian markets, with Adelaide travelling to face BG Pathum United in Thailand and Lion City Sailors in Singapore during the group stage.

StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said the partnership would provide a great opportunity to connect with young people across Asia.

“Having StudyAdelaide featured throughout this international competition is a unique platform to connect with young people across Asia and highlight the many reasons South Australia is their best option to study, live and build a career,” Johnston said.

The deal illustrates how football’s international competitions can provide commercial value beyond traditional brand exposure, particularly for organisations looking to promote to a specific or new region.

The Reds’ ACL Two campaign continues against BG Pathum United in Thailand on October 15.

Arncliffe Aurora’s Riverine Park investment creates a platform for growth

Oliver Van Bronswijk18/09/2026 10:00 am18/09/2026

Image Credits: Arncliffe Aurora

Arncliffe Aurora Football Club has started a new chapter with the launch of Riverine Park, creating a larger platform for football, community engagement and long-term growth in Sydney’s St George region. More than 2,500 people attended the community opening on 8 August, marking the club’s first matches at its new home and showcasing a significant upgrade in its operating capacity.

Riverine Park provides two full-size natural turf football fields, modern player and community amenities, and a new clubhouse. The additional capacity responds to strong growth in Arncliffe Aurora’s football programs, particularly at junior level. The club has also highlighted a $2.5 million investment in facility upgrades. Together with its existing Arncliffe Park base, Riverine Park gives Aurora two homes and a stronger physical platform for its football operations.

More capacity allows the club to accommodate more teams, players and programs, while updated facilities can support stronger member retention and recruitment. They create more opportunities for coaching, development programs, events and community activities. The new site can also strengthen the club’s commercial proposition; a modern facility gives sponsors greater visibility and provides more opportunities to activate partnerships around football and community events. It can also help the club build relationships with schools, community organisations and football bodies. That matters as grassroots clubs increasingly operate as community hubs rather than simply sporting organisations.

Riverine Park also creates opportunities for the wider football ecosystem. Football St George has identified the facility as a platform to grow participation and provide opportunities for players of different ages, abilities and backgrounds. Bayside Council’s project includes upgraded change rooms, toilets, canteen facilities, lighting, seating and solar panels, adding further functionality to the precinct.

For Arncliffe Aurora, the investment is therefore about more than adding fields. It creates infrastructure that can support participation, player development, community programs and commercial activity over the long term. The challenge now shifts from construction to utilisation. The club must maximise the new capacity, maintain the assets and convert greater participation into a sustainable operating model to benefit the community long-term.