Mick Godbier will take over from Tony Clancy with the first grade team, while Nigel Lloyd will lead the way for the reserves.

Godbier was involved as under 17s coach last year and the Cootamundra-based mentor has been coaching at various other levels for a decade.

“I began in about 2005, 2006 and did all the community-level based programs initially,” Godbier said. 

“I did my advanced C coaching licence last year after it was offered by Andrew Fearnley and I think that was the first time that program had been done in a regional area.”

“I’ve coached local men’s and women’s sides in local soccer, Riverina-level under 12s and 14s and helped with some NSW Country kid’s teams, and through [daughter] Kya playing with the club I had a go with the under 17s.

“I wanted to do the right thing and not tread on anyone’s toes or whatever, but I knew Tony and [assistant coach] Adrian Cox were taking a step back.

“They’re both very astute characters that I’ve learned a lot from. I think I’ve got a good rapport with the players and I’m hoping that carries through to results on the field.”

As ever, numbers are set to be a prime issue for the Mariners, who for virtually every season of their existence have had to rely on players from reserves and under 17s backing up to play a couple of games each week.

With a number of star players gone this year, the pressure to find the players to fill the gaps is as high as ever, though Godbier has been given a boost by the return of some former match-winners.

Gone are Teigan Cox, Georgia Bennett, Morgan Sherman and Jess Daymond. 

Daymond at this stage leaves a huge gap given that the club’s next two choices to keep goals are both recovering from serious injuries.

On the flipside, Godbier is delighted to have the likes of Kristy Collingridge along with Tegan Courtney, who has been playing in Sydney for the last couple of seasons.

“The goal still has to be for us to finish in the top four, and the top two realistically because we are desperate to get back up into the Premier League 2 competition,” Godbier said.

“We’ve lost some good players, they’ve gone to Premier League sides and I wish them all the best – we’d have gladly taken them back if they hadn’t have made the cut but they’re good players and I hope they all succeed.

“I’m not nervous about our prospects, with players like Tegan Courtney back in the side, Megan Embleton, Megan McFarlane, Kya [Godbier], and Kristy Collingridge I think we have a great squad.

“But it is going to be tough and it will take a lot of work, and the hard thing about having low numbers is that if you get an injury, even if it isn’t to a key player, it makes a huge impact.”

The Mariners will be trialling against a Sydney side this Sunday and will be training at Police Paddock this Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Anyone interested in playing for the club can find more information by calling Andrew Fearnley on 0419 617 312.