The 2005–06 season was the first for both the Central Coast Mariners and the A-League Compared with its Sydney rival, the Central Coast Mariners had a far more low-key buildup to the inaugural A-League season. The majority of its squad were experienced players from the defunct National Soccer League. They generally exceeded most expectations, having a very successful season, culminating in two solid displays in the preliminary competitions and reaching the grand final in the A-League. Players First team squad Short term cover Short term cover Short term cover Short term cover Short term cover Matches 2005-06 Pre-season fixtures Phillips International Soccer Sevens The Mariners competed in Phillips International soccer sevens tournament played in Hong Kong. Their group featured three of the biggest teams in the world, PSV, Manchester United and Celtic. The Mariners caused one of the upsets of the tournament by defeating a somewhat understrength Manchester United 2–1. Club World Cup Qualification Competition The Mariners were runners-up to Sydney FC in the qualifying tournament held to determine Australia's entry in the FIFA Club World Cup, losing in the grand final 1–0. 2005 Pre-Season Cup Group B 2005-06 A-League fixtures 2005-06 Finals series Ladder Finals Statistics Goal scorers End of Year Awards Mariners Medallist - player of the year, as voted by Club members: Michael Beauchamp Chairman's Award - awarded for outstanding service to the club: John Hutchinson and Ben Coonan (Mariners' media officer) (shared) Golden Boot (top goalscorer): Stewart Petrie Jesters' Pies Marinators' Goal of the Year: Noel Spencer, round 1 vs Perth Glory Central Coast Mariners Members Player of the Year Award: Andre Gumprecht''' References External links Official website 2005-06 2005–06 A-League season by team