Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners players get to grips with each other last ... - Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners players get to grips with each other last season. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners could be heading towards a bitter turf war as a result of the Mariners' plans to move some of their home games to North Sydney Oval.

Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow issued a stern warning to Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth not to encroach on their territory and become regular tenants of North Sydney Oval.

Any move by the Mariners to hold games in Sydney regularly will be met with hostility from Sydney FC and Barlow, who will not accept a rival outfit playing at a venue less than eight kilometres from his club's home, in an area he believes is a core part of the Sky Blues' supporter base.

''As for them playing one community round game at North Sydney, that's OK, we don't see that as a problem - but anything more than that, we wouldn't tolerate,'' Barlow said. ''North Sydney is literally a 10 minute drive from Allianz Stadium, and we see the area as a central part of Sydney FC's base.''

Charlesworth is continuing his strategic push south, and said Sydney's north shore remained a part of his club's long-term drive to attract supporters.

While he acknowledged Barlow's concerns, he said that would not discourage him looking into the possibility of bringing games to north Sydney and accelerating the club's community work in the northern suburbs.

''Twenty per cent of our members live in north Sydney so all we're doing is servicing them,'' Charlesworth said. ''The fact of the matter is lines are not drawn geographically … Manchester United supporters don't live in Manchester, fact. Green Bay Packers supporters in America don't live in Green Bay. The Mariners [supporters] don't all live on the Central Coast. We're expanding our geographic boundaries.''

Barlow was assured by both Football Federation Australia and Charlesworth that the Mariners would not relocate permanently away from the Central Coast, but said he would not be happy with even a partial relocation that involved them moving several home games to North Sydney Oval.

''It's been made very clear to me by both the FFA and the Mariners that they've got no intention of relocating to north Sydney, and they see they're home as the Central Coast and that won't be changing,'' he said.

On Wednesday, the FFA ruled out the possibility of North Sydney Oval regularly hosting A-League games due to the poor condition of the pitch, stands and many other facilities. However, Fairfax Media understands North Sydney Council is eager to bring A-League games to the area, and could be prepared to contribute to the required stadium upgrades.

The council has held preliminary discussions with the Mariners about hosting more games next season, and talks are expected to gather momentum after the one-off game at North Sydney Oval on December 19.