Signing news: Hyundai A-League debut on Wednesday, Woolies on Thursday - surprise call earns Mariners starlet promotion

From making his Hyundai A-League debut one night to stacking shelves the following day, the last week has been a whirlwind for Joshua Nisbet.

Last Thursday, the diminutive Mariners midfielder backed up a battling F3 Derby display against Newcastle Jets the night before with a shift at Woolworths. 

It was there that the Mariners academy graduate learned news of his promotion to the Mariners Hyundai A-League squad mid-shift, downing tools momentarily to return Mike Mulvey's call. 

“I had played my debut on the Wednesday, I was working on the Thursday at Woolworths. I got a call from Mike and I couldn’t get to the phone so I asked my boss if I could sneak out the back to have a quick chat," Nisbet told the official Mariners' website.

"Over the phone he said he wanted to reward me for my performances. It was an exciting moment but I had to get straight back to work so I couldn’t celebrate too much.

Feature image courtesy of Central Coast Mariners

“My bosses have been big supporters so when I told them I had a call from Mike they told me to call him straight away and they celebrated with me which was nice.

“This is everything I’ve been working towards for my whole life.

“My parents have helped me a lot along the way so it’s great to reward them by signing my first professional contract."

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Queensland native Nisbet has mounted a list of eye-catching achievements following his arrival in Gosford two years ago, including winning the club's Foxtel Y-League Player of the Player award.

Born in Penrith, it was a big gamble for the teenage to relocate to the Central Coast, but one that has now paid the sweetest of dividends.

For Mariners boss Mulvey, the decision to hand Nisbet a shot at the big time needed no hesitation. 

“Josh is a very dedicated young player,” Mulvey told the club's official website.

“He’s small in stature but very big in heart," he said.

“We brought him into the first team set up during pre-season and he did quite well, he’s continued his progression.

"He’s been given two opportunities in the A-League and taken those opportunities with both hands. We had no hesitation giving him that opportunity and he rewarded the belief we instilled in him – he showed that he has the capability to play at that level.

“Nizzy is somebody who realises that life doesn’t stand still – he’s prepared to take that opportunity and not all players are capable of doing that."