There wasn’t a dry seat – or a dry eye – in the house at a rain-soaked Central Coast Stadium as club legend Matt Simon bid the club an emotional farewell on Saturday afternoon.
Simon announced his retirement on October 3, calling time on a 15-year career which garnered 288 games and 66 goals.
The one-time A-League Men champion, three-time premier and Mariners all-time leading goalscorer took to the pitch prior to Saturday’s F3 Derby for a special presentation, in which the club announced his iconic kit number 19 would be retired in Gosford.
The F3 Derby was due to kick off at 5.00pm (AEDT), but extreme weather resulted in the postponement of the game at Central Coast Stadium.
The fans in the house weren’t to go home empty-handed, sticking around through the wild weather to see off a club champion, who delivered an emotional speech in his Mariners send-off.
“I want to thank all the fans over my career for all the support you’ve given me, through the good times and the bad,” Simon said. “All the staff part of the club from the beginning, from Lawrie (McKinna) to (Graham Arnold), Shaun (Mielekamp), Monty now – the work you do is absolutely amazing.
“To all my teammates throughout my career, I can’t thank you enough. You don’t get to play 16-17 years without your teammates.
All my family are up there in the lounge, my family and friends. You know what you mean to me. I’m so grateful for the support.
As Simon turned to face his family in the stands, the tears began to flow.
“To Richard Piel and your family, thank you for your support over the last couple of months to give me that opportunity to try and get back on the field.
I love everyone, and I’ll see you soon.
Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery joined Simon on the pitch, braving the weather to present him with a framed kit and a similarly heartfelt message.
“This is on behalf of everyone at the club for the service you’ve given – the loyal service,” Montgomery said. “Every time you’ve worn that shirt, you’ve worn it with your heart on your sleeve.”
