The Central Coast Mariners have made the first significant signing of an off-season recruitment drive, with the news former Northampton Town skipper Chris Doig has agreed to a 2 year deal with the Yellow and Navy.
The Central Coast Mariners have made the first significant signing of an off-season recruitment drive, with the news former Northampton Town skipper Chris Doig has agreed to a 2 year deal with the Yellow and Navy.
“Chris comes to the Mariners with some pedigree, I-m sure both his leadership qualities and his football skill will make him an excellent addition to our squad,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“Chris’ signing is the first of several before we kick off our Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season against Melbourne on August 6, and we feel attracting this kind of player is vital in ensuring the Central Coast continues to perform the way members and fans deserve.
The former Scotland Under 21-s representative has played 232 competitive matches in England-s top three divisions, making his first team debut with Nottingham Forest on the grandest stage of them all, against the might of Manchester United, in a Premier League clash at Old Trafford, as a 17-year-old on Boxing Day 1998.
The 187cm tall central defender went on to play 93 matches for Forest, and following a brief loan spell at Northampton in 2003, shifted permanently from the City Ground to Sixfields ahead of the 2005/06 season.
There, he joined the likes of current Central Coast squad member Pedj Bojic, and racked up 130 competitive appearances for the Cobblers, becoming the club-s captain along the way.
“Chris comes highly respected from plenty of good judges in the UK, I-ve seen a DVD of him and he has great presence in the box, a solid left footed stopper, but he-s also a solid professional, and I-m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Hyundai A-League,” Central Coast football manager Lawrie McKinna said.
“We are still looking at bringing in some more new faces, but as I-ve said before, they have to be better than what we have already got. We-ll sort through some CV-s over the next couple of weeks while the boys are on holiday, and we should have some more lads on board before the squad gets back.”
The 28 year old had no problem in passing a medical examination conducted by the Mariners sister club Sheffield United, and will join up with the current squad when they return to pre-season training on June 29.
Player Profile
Chris Doig
D.O.B 13/2/1981
Height 187cm
Weight 78kg
Career Achievements
Nottingham Forest 1998-2005 – 93 games, 1 goal.
Northampton Town (loan) 2003 – 9 games, 0 goals.
Northampton Town 2005-09 – 130 games, 5 goals.
Mariners memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online, by clicking here
