Author: AAP
From: Herald Sun
Date: January 29th 2010

THE Central Coast Mariners have released left fullback Dean Heffernan to English League One side Huddersfield for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.

With the Mariners expected to miss the A-League's finals series, Heffernan's move to England is a boost for his World Cup chances.

Heffernan has already signed on for new club Melbourne Heart for the next A-League season.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek is keen to see players involved in matches in the months leading up to the June tournament in South Africa.

"Whilst wishing Dean all the best, we are now fully focused on the immediate goal of qualifying for the Hyundai A-League finals series,'' Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said.

Heffernan became the 13th player to represent the Mariners after coming on as a substitute in the club's second-ever competitive match, a 4-nil victory over Adelaide United in the 2005 Club World Championship.

The 29-year-old went on to play 83 competitive matches for the club, 65 of those in the Hyundai A-League, scoring 10 goals.

The seventh-placed Mariners play the Glory in Perth on Sunday.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/heffernan-to-huddersfield/story-e6frf9if-1225824558151