THE Mariners believe they will take a huge step towards being financially secure if they win the right to become the first A-League club to run its own stadium.

The champions are in talks with Gosford City Council to take over the running of Bluetongue Stadium from February, after their initial tender and those of what are believed to be two rival bidders were all judged inadequate by the council last week.

Though it would require a substantial increase in the Mariners’ operating infrastructure, owner Mike Charlesworth yesterday described the proposed venture as "pivotal to our sustainability" and promised to invest his own money in developing the ground.

The Mariners would take on the existing staff running the stadium, but crucially would also take ownership of multiple revenue streams — from the profit on beer sold at games, to the naming rights, plus fees for its potential use to host concerts and events.

It’s understood that the sponsorship deal by which the stadium carries the name of the Bluetongue Brewery has lapsed, meaning the successful bidder will be able to strike a new deal and keep the proceeds.

The Mariners’ tender submission includes written backing from Frank Lowy, raising the prospect of U20, Olyroo and Matildas games being played there more often.

It would also give them complete control over when events happen at the stadium, ensuring any rugby league games for instance were not scheduled for immediately before Mariners home games.

After several years of financial woes, with Charlesworth putting millions in to pay off debts in April, running the stadium would mark a remarkable turnaround for the club.

"It’s pivotal to the sustainability of the club — I can’t think of anything more important," Charlesworth said yesterday.

"It would mean that we could invest in the stadium and in the games themselves far more than now — we’d like to make our games more of a spectacle, but the costs currently are just too prohibitive.

"Realistically, another company taking over the stadium could put those prices up further — they’d almost have to, to make money.

"Our vision is centred on staying at Bluetongue, but we have to be able to afford to."

Currently the Mariners, as with all A-League clubs, receive money from ticket sales to their games but precious little of any other money spent at the stadium.

Asian Champions League games — of which there will be another three early next year — make a significant loss for the club under the current deal where effectively they just rent the ground for matchday on payment of a substantial fee.

The club’s submission does emphasise the desire to host further NRL games, but Charlesworth insisted the stadium could have far wider usage.

"If our tender is successful, it would secure the long-term security of the club on the Central Coast," he said. "I’m prepared to invest my own money in a beautiful stadium that’s an hour and a half north of Sydney.

"We’ve spoken to international performers and promoters, trade show organisers and so on — the economics do stack up.

"We know the council want to revitalise the city, and we have plans with them to put on a funfair before each home game.

"There’s so much we could do, like putting WIFI in to make use of stadium apps that make the whole experience more interactive."

Originally published as Mariners gunning to run own ship