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

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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