Central Coast United FC

(Redirected from Central Coast Lightning)

Central Coast United FC, is a semi-professional soccer club, based and located on the Central Coast of New South Wales. For the 2024 season, the club's senior teams will compete in the NSW League Two competitions and the clubs youth team will compete in NSW League Three competitions.

Central Coast United FC
Full nameCentral Coast United Football Club
Nickname(s)CCU, The Pirates
Founded2017
GroundPluim Park, Lisarow
Capacity2,200
Technical DirectorsStuart Davis
Matt Crowell
CoachShannon Cole[1]
LeagueNSW League Two
202316th of 16
(Relegated) NSW League One

Senior team history edit

In 2017, the club applied and was granted a licence to compete under from the start of the 2018 season.

In both the 2018 and 2019 season, Club Captain Daniel McFarlane won NSW State League Player of the Year.

In the club's first season they narrowly lost out on promotion by a single point, an incredible achievement in their first season. The club emphatically bounced back to secure the Grand Final Championship with a victory over Bankstown United. The 2019 season saw Central Coast United again be successful as in July 2019, the club secured promotion to National Premier Leagues NSW 3 with a 3-1 victory over Prospect United in their 2nd ever season. Another marvellous achievement was set as the 2019 season for Central Coast United as it was declared the most successful Central Coast side in history due to the Under 15s, 16s, 18s, 20s and the 1st Team all outright winners of the league.

The 2022 season saw even more success for the club as it gained promotion to the NSW League One competition after a 1–1 draw with Canterbury Bankstown on 16 July 2022. However, the club only lasted a solitary season in League One, being relegated in 2023 back to NSW League Two, finishing 10 points off second last placed Mounties Wanderers FC.

Association with Central Coast Mariners edit

In 2023, Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast United are strengthening their shared dedication to nurturing local football talent and ensuring a pathway for local stars to shine on the national and worldwide stage.[2] As part of the partnership, Central Coast United will continue to serve as the official feeder club to Central Coast Mariners, bridging the gap for aspiring players between grassroots and elite football.[3]

Club Honours edit

Head-to-head records edit

NPL Teams edit

Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
Bankstown City 6 2 2 2 33
Bankstown United 8 4 1 3 50
Blacktown Spartans 1 0 0 1 0
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 0 0 1 0
Canterbury Bankstown 5 0 4 1 0
Dulwich Hill 5 3 0 2 60
Dunbar Rovers 6 2 1 3 33
Fraser Park 4 1 0 3 25
Gladesville Ryde Magic 4 2 2 0 50
Hills United 2 0 0 2 0
Hurstville ZFC 4 4 0 0 100
Inner West Hawks 5 3 1 1 60
Inter Lions 4 3 0 1 75
Macarthur Rams 6 2 1 3 33
Maccabi Hakoah 1 0 0 1 0
Marconi Stallions 1 0 0 1 0
Mounties Wanderers 1 0 1 0 0
Nepean FC 5 3 1 1 60
Northern Tigers 1 0 0 1 0
Prospect United 4 2 1 1 50
Rydalmere Lions 5 1 0 4 20
South Coast Flame 4 4 0 0 100
Sydney University 6 3 2 1 50
University of NSW 5 5 0 0 100
  • Includes NPL Matches and Australia Cup Matches

Non NPL Teams edit

Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
Balmain Tigers 4 4 0 0 100
Gazy Auburn 4 4 0 0 100
Hazelbrook FC 1 0 0 1 0
Hurstville City Minotaurs 5 5 0 0 100
Scots FC 1 1 0 0 100
Wagga City Wanderers 2 2 0 0 100
Waratahs 2 2 0 0 100
Western Condors 4 2 1 1 50
Wollongong United 1 0 0 1 0
Wyoming FC 1 1 0 0 100

Club colours edit

The club colours are black and gold with white. The club's home kit was revealed in February 2022, the club will play in gold with black trim. The away kit has been confirmed as a white kit with gold pinstripes. The logo which is inspired by the skull and crossbones was designed by designer Matthew Wolff who has designed LAFC and NYCFC logo's as well as the high-selling Nigeria 2018 World Cup kit.

Seasons edit

League edit

Season League Aus.
Cup
Waratah
Cup
Top goalscorer(s)
Division P W D L GF GA Pts Pos Finals Player(s) Goals
2018 NSW State League (5) 22 18 3 1 85 17 57 2nd W PR6 R5 Daniel McFarlane 20
2019 NSW State League (5) 20 15 0 5 62 25 45 1st RU PR3 R2 ? ?
2020 NPL3 (4) 11 2 4 5 23 18 10 9th [a] Alexander Arbelo 5
2021[b] NPL3 (4) 16 6 5 5 30 26 23 6th PR4 R3 Joshua Swadling 9
2022 League Two (4) 22 13 4 5 49 34 43 2nd ↑ SF PR4 R3 Daniel McFarlane 15
2023 League One (3) 30 4 5 21 37 81 17 7th N/A Entered Entered Adam Woodbine 8

Cup edit

Season Cup Round Home team (tier) Score Away team (tier) Notes
2018 FFA Cup Qualifiers Preliminary R2 Central Coast United (5) Bye
Preliminary R3 Central Coast United (5) 2–0 Wyoming FC (-)
Preliminary R4 Sydney University (4) 0–4 Central Coast United (5)
Preliminary R5 Hurstville City Minotaurs (5) 1–2 Central Coast United (5)
Preliminary R6 Hills Brumbies (3) 3–1 Central Coast United (5)
2019 FFA Cup Qualifiers Preliminary R3 Hazelbrook FC (6) 2–1 Central Coast United (5)
2020 FFA Cup Qualifiers Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.[6]
2021 FFA Cup Qualifiers Preliminary R3 Scots FC (6) 2–6 Central Coast United (4)
Preliminary R4 Central Coast United (4) 0–3 Marconi Stallions (2)
2022 Australia Cup Qualifiers Preliminary R3 Waratahs FC (-) 2–2† Central Coast United (4) Central Coast United
advance 3–1 on penalties
Preliminary R4 Wollongong United (6) 3–0 Central Coast United (4)
2023 Australia Cup Qualifiers Preliminary R3 Orange Waratah (-) 1–5 Central Coast United (3)
Preliminary R4 Central Coast United (3) 4–1 Brighton Heat (-)
Preliminary R5 Central Coast United (3) 2–4 Blacktown Spartans (3)
2024 Australia Cup Qualifiers Preliminary R3 Central Coast United (4) 2–1 Bankstown United (4)

Current squad edit

As of 15 February 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   AUS Zayd Husain
2 DF   AUS Michael Singh
3 DF   AUS Connor Gallen
4 DF   AUS Ben Waller
5 DF   AUS Mark Partridge
6 DF   AUS Geordie Howe
7 MF   SCO Daniel McFarlane
8 MF   JPN Yuki Morikawa
9 FW   AUS Cade Mapu
10 DF   AUS Jack Ragen
11 MF   AUS Bret Sibanda
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 MF   AUS Cayleb Murray
14 FW   AUS Euan McEvoy-Folland
15 FW   AUS Ben Flakus
17 DF   AUS Jai McNamara
18 MF   ENG Barney Irvine-Rundle
20 MF   URU Alexander Arbelo
22 DF   ENG Matthew Ingham
23 FW   AUS Jarred Steen
31 GK   AUS Steven Grimmett
66 FW   AUS Jack Barr
99 FW   AUS Zac Pezzutto

Club Officials edit

Position Name[7]
Head coach   Shannon Cole
Assistant coach   Justin Swadling
Assistant coach   David Broadbent
Assistant coach   Vedant Tij

Notable former players edit

Previously as the main feeder club for the Central Coast Mariners, several players have already gone in the A-League and most recently the 2009 AFC Champions League, which the Mariners qualified for. Notable former players include

Notes edit

  1. ^ Australia and Waratah Cups cancelled due to Covid–19[4]
  2. ^ Season cancelled midseason due to Covid–19[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Central Coast United Appoints Shannon Cole as First-Grade Head Coach". 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. ^ Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast United partnership
  3. ^ "Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast United announce official partnership". Central Coast Mariners. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Football Australia cancel 2020 FFA Cup". 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Football NSW Cancel 2021 National Premier Leagues Season". Football NSW. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Football NSW Cancel 2021 National Premier Leagues Season". Football NSW. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Central Coast Mariners announce coaching and backroom staff". Central Coast Mariners. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.

External links edit