Central Coast Mariners, the 2024 champion of Australia's domestic football league, is exploring the possibility of adopting a fan-based co-operative model. The club has faced a period of crisis since its former owner, Mike Charlesworth, liquidated club entities and forfeited its participation agreement with the A-League. Following the collapse of a potential sale to investor Damon Hanlin, ownership of the football club has now fallen into the hands of the Australian Professional Leagues (APL). The APL says it plans to run the club until a new and stable long-term owner is found. With no new owner currently in sight, stakeholders and local MPs have begun calling for the club to adopt a fan-owned co-operative model. Labor MPs, including David Harris, David Mehan, and Liesl Tesch, have called on the APL to secure a new owner as soon as possible. The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) has also supported these calls, citing existing overseas fan-ownership models. BCCM CEO Melina Morrison highlighted models such as FC Barcelona and the Green Bay Packers, which range from a 5% stake to full community ownership. Morrison told ABC Central Coast that a co-operative model could sit alongside private owners through a joint venture structure. For the Mariners, it means any surplus generated is reinvested into the club and the Central Coast. A co-operative strengthens the local base and aligns the owners with the long-term success of the team. The Central Coast Mariners' crisis began when Mike Charlesworth liquidated club entities, leaving the club's future uncertain. The club's fans are now hoping that a fan-owned co-operative model will provide a stable and secure future for the team. The APL's plan to run the club until a new owner is found has provided some temporary relief, but the long-term solution is still unclear. The Central Coast Mariners' story is a complex one, with many twists and turns. As the club navigates this difficult period, one thing is certain - the fans will be watching closely, hoping for a positive outcome. The club's future is uncertain, but one thing is clear - the Central Coast Mariners will continue to be a vital part of the Australian football landscape.