The Central Coast Mariners went on a road trip to Kempsey last weekend to support Kempsey Saints FC’s senior presentation night and junior skills clinic.
The yellow and navy’s Hungarian midfielder, Richard Vernes hit the road three and a half hours northbound in a bid to aid the junior development of grass roots football in the Mid North Coast.
But, why Kempsey?
Well it all started when Head Coach of the Saints, Barry Horsfall, called Executive Vice Chairman Peter Storrie after having red an article in the Daily Telegraph about his plans to re-structure the Central Coast Mariners.
“After reading a great article in the Daily Telegraph some weeks ago regarding the appointment of Peter Storrie and his intention to re-organise management I got in contact with the Mariners,” Horsfall said.
“I requested support for the senior presentation night and junior clinics after my lengthy discussions with Peter I was surprised to find that after this phone call I received approval from the club to send Richie Vernes,” Horsfall said.
“I would just like to thank the Central Coast Mariners for finalising all arrangements. The winners were the kids and the response from the junior clinic was unbelievable and have never been seen at this level in Kempsey before,” Horsfall said.
Although Kempsey does not fall in the Central Coast Mariners’ traditional catchment, the Mariners are a community club and will do whatever they can to help the game grow and interact with footballers from Killarney Vale to Kempsey all the way out to Cobar.