New Mariners midfielder Nick Montgomery has revealed he spoke to former teammate Paul Ifill before deciding to join Central Coast.
New Mariners midfielder Nick Montgomery has revealed he spoke to former teammate Paul Ifill before deciding to join Central Coast.
Montgomery, 30, ended a 12-year spell at Sheffield United when he opted to join the reigning A-League premiers ahead of the upcoming season.
With offers from clubs in the United Kingdom and MLS, Montgomery had several options open to him once he decided to depart from the League One side.
A chat with Wellington Phoenix star Ifill, who spent just over a season at Sheffield United, helped Montgomery make up his mind.
"I followed it (the A-League) over the years," Montgomery said.
"A good friend of mine Paul Ifill moved out to New Zealand a few years ago ... I spoke to him and he said it was a great way of life and he'd really found his love for football again.
"I spoke to a few other people that had played out in the A-League and I just think the standard now and over the last few years it's come along quite a long way and I think it's a fantastic league now."
Montgomery, who was still recovering from jetlag, came off the bench as the Mariners beat the Brisbane Roar 1-0 in a pre-season friendly.
Despite his late arrival, he said he was ready to go for his team's opener against the Western Sydney Wanderers on October 6.
"I did a full pre-season in the UK with Sheffield United," Montgomery said.
"Obviously their season started a little bit earlier than the A-League, so I've already got a good base but I need a couple of games.
"The season starts soon, but I'm fit and raring to go."
Montgomery, who has never been sent off in over 350 league appearances, was also full of praise for new coach Graham Arnold.
The Leeds-born midfielder is likely to be used in the role left vacated by the departed Rostyn Griffiths.
"He's a fantastic manager and he's a great bloke. He's a players' manager," Montgomery said of Arnold.
"He listens to the players, he cares about the players and already I can see why he's been successful and why he's a good name.
"He just seems a great guy and I'm just delighted and can't wait to play for him."