The Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets have today announced a ground-breaking membership initiative which is designed to reinvigorate the local rivalry over the next two seasons.

In an exciting partnership, Jets and Mariners full-season ticketed members will be able to attend away fixtures in the F3 Derby free of charge.

The agreement, which runs over the 2016-17 and 2017-18 Hyundai A-League seasons, enable supporters of both clubs to attend three away matches over the two-year arrangement.

Interim Newcastle Jets CEO David Eland believes the initiative will give the fixture a significant boost and help to revive some of the passion and competitiveness of the early F3 Derbies.

“This initiative adds significant value to the clubs’ membership packages,” Eland said.

“I’m sure the opportunity to attend the Away F3 Derbies free of charge will be well received by the members of both clubs.”

The Jets had the better of their local rivals in the most recent campaign, recording two victories in the final third of the season – both in Gosford – with the two teams played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Hunter Stadium in Round six.

While the Sydney and Melbourne Derbies have taken the spotlight in the Hyundai A-League in recent seasons – and rightly so – the F3 derby remains the competition’s only original local rivalry.

And with memories of the 36,354 fans on hand to watch Central Coast tackle the Jets in the 2008 Grand Final, Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp hopes the deal can help make the clash a marquee fixture once again.

“The clubs are committed to restoring the F3 Derbies as the most anticipated clashes of the season,” Mielekamp said.

“This initiative will boost attendance and reinvigorate the passionate rivalry which exists between the Mariners and the Jets.”