Central Coast Mariners boss in tears following stunning A-League grand final win over Melbourne City

Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp had tears in his eyes after watching Melbourne City’s 6-1 A-League grand final on Saturday night.

Despite winning the league by 11 points in the regular season, City were humbled by the plucky underdogs in Paramatta.

It is the club’s second title in their history, 10 years after winning their first piece of silverware in 2013, and caps off a remarkable journey from three consecutive wooden spoons to Australian champions.

Mielekamp guided the club through rock bottom and was emotional after the stunning performance.

‘I think the big word that comes up again and again is: incredible,’ says Mielekamp keepup.com.au

It is the club’s second title in their history, 10 years after winning their first silverware in 2013, and caps a remarkable journey from basement dwellers to champions

“There was a time during COVID when I was the only one working. I thought we were just going to close the club. The club was gone.

“We kept believing… and now it’s unbelievable. To see this club, to see our club, to see our families in this. It just leaves you speechless.

“The number of times we couldn’t pay the bills and had to scrap for everything, and the constant sense of community responsibility to keep the club alive.

Just a few years ago, the Mariners were one of the worst professional clubs in all of Australian sport, so the Saturday night celebrations meant a little more for everyone involved.

“I didn’t know our club had this in it,” said Mielekamp. “I didn’t know we could be this great. I always believed this club was something special, but this is special beyond words.

“The lads embody everything this club stands for: you don’t back down, we believe, we work hard, we support each other, we’re one big, big family, and I just hope to be fair to the rest of the league seeing that this is what the A-League is.

“It got so surreal for a while,” he said. “It wasn’t until I hugged my family and my kids and thought about the years we had, the hard times. I just can’t believe it.’

Jason Cummings gave the Mariners arguably the best parting gift ever after scoring a hat-trick in the game.

Jason Cummings completed a hat trick in his last game in a Mariners jersey

The shock victory for Central Coast is one of the comeback stories of all time

Ahead of the grand final, Cummings confirmed the big match is “the last dance” for him amid reports that the Socceroos cult hero is moving to India.

“Last dance man, I don’t know what happened,” Cummings said after the 6-1 win.

“We just beat the champions who caked the league, we won 6-1. What a travel man. I’ve been here a year and a half and the gaffer has changed my life.

“My career was out of control, but I love the Coast man, I’m speechless. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life, I’ve never had a manager believe in me like he does. We’re going to party tonight.’