The Central Coast Mariners are pleased to announce that 32-year-old Spanish defender, Alan Baró, has been named Club Captain, ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 campaign.
Baró s captaincy was unveiled to a sea of excited Mariners fans at the Club’s annual Family Day on Saturday, September 23. Baró was presented the captain’s armband by last season’s skipper, and the Mariners’ Head of Football and Elite Performance, Nick Montgomery, who made the announcement at Gosford’s Kibble Park. The Spaniard becomes the Mariners’ fourth full time captain, behind Noel Spencer, John Hutchinson and Montgomery. A proven and experienced defender, Baró earned more than a decade of experience plying his trade in Spain with the likes of Osasuna, Alicante and SD Ponferradina. This isn’t the first time Baró has been named captain.
During his fi nal two seasons in the Spanish Segunda División with SD Ponferradina, he also wore the skipper’s armband. Incoming Mariners captain, Alan Baró, said that being named Club Captain is a proud moment in his career and credited the club’s culture. “I am grateful and so happy that Paolo has the confi dence in me to give me this job,” Baró said. “I want to help improve the team in every way possible both on and off the pitch. “For me, this is a great announcement, and I couldn’t be happier to accept this opportunity. “I accept that I now have more responsibility as the team’s captain and I think that I am in a great position to take this on. “We have a great culture here at the Mariners, so I need to ensure that remains, and I will do everything I can to mentor the younger players in the squad.
“With my experience, I can help the younger players in the squad. “I am there for everyone who needs my help, or just a different point of view of their job in the team. “I was captain in Ponferradina in my last two seasons, this is a different challenge for me being in a new country and new league, but being a leader is not something that is new to me. “We have quite a new squad, with a lot of new players, but everyone is really buying into what we want to achieve. “I am really happy with all of my teammates, the young players are trying to learn and work hard whilst the more experienced players are leading from the front.
“We have enjoyed a great pre-season, we know we can compete with any team in the A-League and I am confi dent that it is going to be a really good season for us. “I want our fans to feel proud after every match we play,” Baró said. Baró and his family arrived on the Central Coast in June and settled in with ease. “This is an amazing part of the world to be living with my family,” Baró said. “The weather is unbelievable, you have sunny days every day, and for my family, it was so easy to settle in because the people are so friendly. “We are so happy that we chose the Central Coast Mariners as a club and this city to live in,” Baró said.
Source: Media release, Sep 23 Tyson Scott, Central Coast Mariners Media