John Hutchinson (association footballer) explained

John Hutchinson
Fullname:John Paul Hutchinson
Height:1.79 m[1]
Birth Date:1979 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Morwell, Australia
Currentclub:Yokohama F. Marinos (interim manager)
Position:Central midfielder
Youthyears1:1993–1996
Youthclubs1:Morwell Pegasus
Years1:1996–2001
Clubs1:Eastern Pride
Caps1:89
Goals1:7
Years2:2001–2004
Clubs2:Northern Spirit
Caps2:77
Goals2:12
Years3:2004–2005
Clubs3:Manly United
Caps3:25
Goals3:4
Years4:2005–2015
Clubs4:Central Coast Mariners
Caps4:228
Goals4:18
Years5:2011
Clubs5:Chengdu Blades (loan)
Caps5:14
Goals5:3
Totalcaps:433
Totalgoals:44
Nationalyears1:2009–2011
Nationalteam1:Malta
Nationalcaps1:11
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:2015
Managerclubs1:Central Coast Mariners (player-coach)
Manageryears2:2015–2016
Managerclubs2:Central Coast Mariners (assistant)
Manageryears3:2017
Managerclubs3:Seattle Sounders 2 (assistant)
Manageryears4:2018
Managerclubs4:Seattle Sounders 2
Manageryears5:2019
Managerclubs5:Western United (assistant)
Manageryears6:2020
Managerclubs6:Seattle Sounders (academy)
Manageryears7:2021
Managerclubs7:Yokohama F. Marinos (assistant)
Manageryears8:2022
Managerclubs8:El Paso Locomotive
Manageryears9:2023
Managerclubs9:Yokohama FC (assistant)
Manageryears10:2024
Managerclubs10:Yokohama F. Marinos (assistant)
Manageryears11:2024–
Managerclubs11:Yokohama F. Marinos (interim)

John Paul Hutchinson (born 29 December 1979) is a football manager and former player who serves as interim manager of J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos. He played as a central midfielder for Eastern Pride, Northern Spirit, Manly United, Chengdu Blades and Central Coast Mariners, for whom he served as captain. Born in Australia, he represented the Malta national team.

Hutchinson was born in Morwell, Victoria and made his senior debut for Eastern Pride in the National Soccer League in 1997. Hutchinson went on to play for Northern Spirit and Manly United before joining Central Coast Mariners in 2005. Hutchinson is the all-time most-capped Mariners player. He also spent time on loan at Chinese club Chengdu Blades.

Hutchinson won 11 caps with Malta.

Early life

Hutchinson was born in Morwell, and played youth football from age three for Morwell Pegasus, going on to play for the side in the Gippsland Soccer League.[2] He has Maltese ancestry through his mother.

Club career

Gippsland Falcons (Eastern Pride)

Hutchinson is one of the most highly lauded prospects to emerge from the Gippsland Falcons youth setup. Huthcinson signed with the Falcons as a youth by coach Harry Bingham. He made his National Soccer League debut for the club in February 1997, coming on as a substitute in a loss to Marconi-Fairfield.[3] On 2 January 2000 he scored his first league goal, the opener in a 1–1 draw with Adelaide Force.[4]

Despite the limited success of the final seasons of the Falcons, who were subsequently renamed Eastern Pride, Hutchinson received positive reviews for his performances for the club at a young age.

Northern Spirit

In June 2001, Hutchinson moved to Sydney-based National Soccer League side Northern Spirit following the dissolution of Eastern Pride.[2] [5]

Hutchinson was one of several players unpaid during the financial decline of the Spirit, and eventually was left clubless when the club folded in 2004.[6]

Manly United

Hutchinson next played for Manly United in the NSW Premier League, where he was club captain.[7]

Central Coast Mariners

Hutchinson made his competitive debut for the Mariners in qualifying competition for the 2005 OFC Club Championship, coming on at half-time against Newcastle Jets in a match the Mariners eventually won in a penalty shootout.[8] Hutchinson came on in the final minutes of the 2005 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup final against Perth Glory as the Mariners won their first ever piece of silverware in August 2005.[8] He was also a last-minute substitute in his A-League debut, again a 1–0 win over Perth in what was the second-ever A-League match.[8] His first Mariners goal came in a 5–1 loss to Sydney FC on 5 November 2005.[9] Around this time, Hutchinson began to be used as a forward, a role which saw him score six goals from six games, including a brace against Newcastle Jets in the F3 derby.[10] Hutchinson's season ended prematurely after picking up an injury in a match against Sydney FC.[11]

Hutchinson came on in extra time in the 2006 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup final against Adelaide United and converted his penalty in the 5–4 loss in a penalty shoot-out.[12] Hutchinson's only goal of the 2006–07 season was the Mariners' first in the 2006–07 A-League, the opening goal in a 1-all draw with Newcastle Jets.[13] After recovering from a knee injury, Hutchinson became a key player for the Central Coast Mariners, playing in central midfield with the likes of Mile Jedinak and Tom Pondeljak in Version 3 of the A-League. This form led him to be named one of the most influential players in the A-League.[14] On 28 October 2007, Hutchinson scored a double against Sydney FC, with two strikes off either foot from outside the box, but was unable to prevent the Mariners suffering a 3–2 loss.[15] The Mariners won the 2007–08 A-League Premiership, and came within one game of the Championship, losing to the Jets in the 2008 A-League Grand Final, with Hutchinson playing a full match.[16]

Hutchinson played his 100th A-League match in August 2009 - a 1–1 draw against Newcastle Jets - becoming just the second Mariner to achieve this milestone after Alex Wilkinson.[17] [18]

In 2011, Hutchinson was loaned to Chinese Super League side Chengdu Blades, under former Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna and alongside fellow Mariner Adam Kwasnik.[19] Hutchinson scored his first goal for the side in a 2-all draw with Changchun Yatai on 31 July 2011, having made his debut three weeks prior in a loss to Shandong Luneng.[20]

Hutchinson came on as a substitute for Mustafa Amini in the 2011 A-League Grand Final and scored a penalty in the shoot-out but it was not enough as the Mariners lost 4–2.[21]

Hutchinson was part of the Mariners side which won the 2011–12 A-League Premiership.

Hutchinson has most recently played an important role in the strong A-League performance of the Central Coast Mariners over recent years and was named club captain after long-serving captain Alex Wilkinson departed the club before the 2012–2013 season.[22] He captained the side to its first ever A-League Championship, beating Western Sydney in the 2013 A-League Grand Final.[23]

Hutchinson played his 200th A-League match on 5 April 2014 - a loss away to Perth.[24]

The 2014–15 season is Hutchinson's tenth with the Mariners.[25] In November 2014, Hutchinson scored a goal in the 94th minute from outside the box to secure a 2-all draw for the Mariners with Melbourne City, breaking a run of four consecutive losses.[26] Hutchinson concluded his 10-year professional career with a 3–1 loss to Melbourne Victory in the final round of the 2014/15 A-League season, capping of his 226th league appearance for the Central Coast. A testimonial match was held to conclude John's career on 23 May, attracting a crowd of over two thousand as to watch "Hutch's XI" versus the Mariners. The match yielded 17 goals, with "Hutch's XI" netting a dozen of those to win the match 12–5.

He is currently the most capped Central Coast Mariners player, with over 200 appearances for the Gosford side.[27]

International career

Australia

Following a strong 2007–08 A-League season, Hutchinson was called up to a Australia training squad for A-League players by Pim Verbeek in early 2008.[28] He appeared for the side in a training match against the Australia under-23 side, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 loss.[29]

Malta

Due to his Maltese descent, he earned a call-up by Malta coach Dušan Fitzel,[30] [31] and he made his international debut for the Malta in a friendly against the Czech Republic, where he was employed in centre midfield.[32] On 10 June 2009, Hutchinson played his first competitive match for Malta in the 2010 World Cup qualifier loss to Sweden at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg.[33] Hutchinson's best result with the side came in a 1–1 draw at home against Georgia.[34] Hutchinson's opportunities to play at international level were at times limited by club commitments and the considerable travel involved in flying between Australia and Europe for games.[35] Hutchinson made eleven appearances for Malta.[20]

Coaching career

From 2015 to 2016, Hutchinson served as assistant coach at the Mariners, before parting ways in August 2016.[36] On 1 March 2017, Hutchinson was appointed assistant coach for Seattle Sounders FC 2, the reserve team of Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.[37] He became head coach of the team on 30 January 2018 to replace Ezra Hendrickson.[38] On 23 January 2019, the Sounders announced that Hutchinson would be departing the club to return to coach in Australia.[39] On the same day, he was announced as the assistant manager of Western United.[40]

Hutchinson was appointed head coach and technical director of El Paso Locomotive FC on 9 December 2021.[41] On 15 November 2022, Hutchinson left El Paso to return home to Australia.[42]

He spent the 2023 season as assistant at Yokohama FC, and joined Harry Kewell's staff as head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos for 2024.[43] Hutchinson became interim head coach on 15 July 2024 after Kewell's contract was released by the club.[44]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotal
DivisionApps Goals AppsGoals AppsGoalsAppsGoals
Eastern Pride1996–97National Soccer League40000040
1997–9890000090
1998–992100000210
1999–20003120000312
2000–012450000245
Total8970000897
Northern Spirit2001–02National Soccer League2130000213
2002–033370000337
2003–042320000232
Total771200007712
Manly United2004NSW Super League2540000254
Central Coast Mariners2005–06A-League1764000216
2006–071611000171
2007–082234000263
2008–092223060312
2009–102330000233
2010–112610000261
2011–122200060280
2012–132710060331
2013–142700060330
2014–152614000301
Total2281816024026818
Chengdu Blades (loan)2011Chinese Super League1430000143
Total4334416024047344

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Malta200940
201010
201160
Total110

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecord
Seattle Sounders FC 230 January 201824 January 2019
El Paso Locomotive FC9 December 202115 November 2022
Yokohama F. Marinos (interim)16 July 2024present[45]
Total

Honours

Manly United

2004

Central Coast Mariners[46]

2005

Records

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Hutchinson . Central Coast Mariners . 3 January 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141014141624/http://www.ccmariners.com.au/player/john-hutchinson/1xx05wxy7lr6z1hyo2rnr6mxqr . 14 October 2014 .
  2. News: From Morwell to Mariners. Latrobe Valley Express. 25 April 2013. Darroch, Samuel. 16 November 2014. 12 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191212201651/https://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/1452015/from-morwell-to-mariners/. dead.
  3. Web site: 1996/1997 Season Round 17 Results. ozfootball. 16 November 2014.
  4. Web site: 1999/2000 Season Round 14 Results. ozfootball. 16 November 2014.
  5. News: Spirit signs six. The World Game. 13 June 2001.
  6. News: Hutchinson recalls his darkest days. The World Game. 18 December 2013.
  7. News: Mariners link with Manly Warringah. 11 December 2007. SportsAustralia.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129054921/http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=2734. 29 November 2014.
  8. Web site: John Hutchinson. stats . aleaguestats.com . 17 November 2014 .
  9. News: Petrovski hat-trick inspires Sydney victory. ABC. 24 April 2014. 5 November 2005.
  10. News: Central Coast Mariners v Newcstle United Jets. Dunkerley, Chris. 17 November 2014. Ozfootball.
  11. News: ABC. Sydney, Mariners in 1-1 draw. 15 January 2006.
  12. Web site: worldfootball.net. 19 November 2014. Central Coast Mariners - Adelaide United 5:6.
  13. News: Jets snatch a draw. SportsAustralia.com. 23 September 2006. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129072848/http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/sep06/artid6508.html. 29 November 2014.
  14. Web site: Daily Telegraph.
  15. Web site: Sydney FC. 29 October 2007. Sydney FC 3 Central Coast Mariners 2.
  16. News: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle United Jets. Ozfootball. Clark, Alan. 17 November 2014.
  17. Web site: Hutchinson joins the hundred club. 12 August 2009. Central Coast Mariners FC.
  18. News: Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners draw 1–1 in F3 derby. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 14 August 2009.
  19. News: John Hutchinson joins Chengdu Blades on short-term loan. Maltafootball.com. 4 July 2011. Busuttil, Antoine.
  20. Web site: Soccerway. 17 November 2014. Matches of J. Hutchinson.
  21. News: Brisbane Roar FC. Brisbane Claim Championship in Grand Final thriller. 14 March 2011.
  22. Web site: LOYAL midfielder John Hutchinson has today been named Captain of the Central Coast Mariners. Goal Weekly . 2 April 2013 . 23 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141023133712/http://www.goalweekly.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=4992:news-hutchinson-to-captain-central-coast&Itemid=164 . dead .
  23. News: Central Coast Mariners win their first A-League grand final beating Western Sydney Wanderers. Fox Sports (Australia). 21 April 2013. Conway, Doug.
  24. News: Perth Glory 3 – 1 Central Coast Mariners. Goal.com. 5 April 2014. Washbourne, Michael.
  25. News: Why John Hutchinson is the glue that holds Central Coast Mariners together. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Smithies, Tom. 24 April 2014.
  26. News: The World Game. Mariners' late comeback stuns Melbourne City. 16 November 2014.
  27. Web site: ALeagueStats.
  28. News: Pim Names His Training Camp. 2 January 2008. Football News. 16 November 2014. 29 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129024606/http://www.footballnews.com.au/article.php?id=2028. dead.
  29. News: Olyroos beat Socceroos 2–1. Football News. 17 November 2014. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305060504/http://www.footballnews.com.au/article.php?id=2042. dead.
  30. Web site: Aussie Hutchinson gets Malta call-up.
  31. Web site: Central Coast's John Hutchinson Called Up To Malta Squad - Goal.com. 1 June 2009.
  32. Web site: Central Coast Mariners Home.
  33. Web site: Sweden vs. Malta 4–0. 17 November 2014. Soccerway.
  34. Web site: Soccerway. Malta vs. Georgia 1–1. 19 November 2014.
  35. News: Hutchinson back in Malta's fold for tough Croatia clash. Azzopardi, Kevin. 12 November 2010. Times of Malta.
  36. Web site: Central Coast Mariners and club legend John Hutchinson 'mutually' part ways. A-League. Football Federation Australia. 1 March 2017.
  37. Web site: Ormond. Aidan. Ex Hyundai A-League great joins US club. A-League. Football Federation Australia. 1 March 2017.
  38. 30 January 2018 . Sounders FC announces technical staff updates ahead of 2018 campaign . Seattle Sounders FC.
  39. 23 January 2019 . Chris Little promoted to Sounders FC 2 Head Coach following departure of previous manager John Hutchinson . Seattle Sounders FC.
  40. https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/western-melbourne-group-appoint-john-hutchinson-as-assistant-coach-for-inaugural-season/news-story/82683d31094f2bf05d089fe40c488768 Western Melbourne Group appoint John Hutchinson as assistant coach for inaugural season
  41. Web site: Locomotive FC Appoints John Hutchinson as New Head Coach, Technical Director . USLChampionship.com . 9 December 2021 . 10 December 2021.
  42. Web site: Huichapa . Alberto . El Paso Locomotive FC Head Coach and Technical Director John Hutchinson to Depart Organization . El Paso Locomotive FC . 15 November 2022.
  43. Web site: It's a Kewell–Hutchinson double act at post-Muscat Marinos . Dave . Lewis . FTBL.com.au . 30 December 2023 . 30 March 2024.
  44. News: 15 July 2024 . Harry Kewell sacked as coach of Japanese club Yokohama after seven months in charge . The Guardian . Australian Associated Press . 17 July 2024.
  45. Web site: John Hutchinson. FotMob. 20 July 2024.
  46. Web site: Central Coast Mariners FC. John Hutchinson. 17 November 2011. 14 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141014141624/http://www.ccmariners.com.au/player/john-hutchinson/1xx05wxy7lr6z1hyo2rnr6mxqr. dead.