Midgley looking for consistency at Manly | Manly United Football Club (original) (raw)

IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 outfit Manly United are eagerly anticipating the start of the new season.

The Northern Beaches based club have been busily preparing for the new year under the watchful eye of coach Craig Midgely who hopes that his side can improve on their performances after eighth in the league in 2013.

Midgley has moved swiftly in signing six new faces to the flying Blues.

The biggest of all Manly’s signings is the return of former star striker Chris Payne.

The A-League and NPL journeyman has seen him play for a couple of clubs adding the Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Central Coast Mariners Academy to his list of teams on top of his time with Sydney FC, North Queensland Fury and Newcastle Jets.

The former Australian youth international will be looked at heavily and his goals will be key to a successful Manly season.

Along with Payne, former Rockdale City Suns defender Roberto Speranza, ex-Central Coast Mariners academy player Jed Prater and current Kiwi under-23 representative Daniel Saric will all showcase their skills at Cromer Park this season.

As well as the addition of the trio, Damir Prodanovic returns to the club once more while Japanese import and former Parramatta FC high flyer Masaki Nomoto brings up Midgley new recruit list.

On top of the new list of players the club has brought in for 2014, Midgley will be assisted by former NSL defender and ex-Rockdale City Suns player Paul Dee.

The club has retained the services of skipper Graeme Forbes, custodian Dylan Mitchell, exciting midfielder Scott Balderson, tough tackling defender Joshua Lawson and crowd favourite Brendan Cholakian.

Manly’s first match of the season is a tough away clash against the Marconi Stallions on Saturday March 15 with their opening home match in round 2 against the Bonnyrigg White Eagles on Sunday 23rd of March.

-By Mark Stavroulakis