Gary van Egmond is calling upon Members and Supporters to get behind the team for the F3 Derby.
The rivalry between the Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners has intensified after Marvin the Mariner visited Newcastle yesterday, in an attempt to rally some support.
While Marvin ran about town, Jets coach Gary van Egmond was calling upon the Members and supporters to get behind the team and turn Bluetongue Stadium into a blue and red fortress.
“It is not to say that we want to challenge our supporters because they have been so fantastic but it would be really good if we could outnumber the Mariners on their very own turf,” van Egmond said.
“If we could do something like that I am sure the boys would respond really well.”
Having already defeated the Mariners this season, the Jets will travel to the Central Coast confident of getting another one up on their long-time rivals.
“It is the one you really want to win and one that you have bragging rights over,” he explained.
“The boys are up to the challenge and are looking forward to getting the points at the Mariners home ground.”
While the Mariners may be handing out posters saying they are consistently better, the Jets still have one thing over their rivals and that is a championship, in which they earned after defeating the Mariners during the 2007/8 grand final.
“I think one of the nagging things in the back of the Mariners minds is the fact they have not won a grand final and this is something that until they win one, is going to be difficult for the players to overcome,” the coach said.
“We have a bit of an edge as far as that is concerned and we also have a better Membership and supporter base so we are definitely going down there confident of earning the three points.”
