Tara Murray
Sunbury United is hoping for a bit of luck as the side aims for promotion in FV state league 3 north-west.
United was sitting in the top half of the table last season when it was called off, but found there was a gap between them and some of the top teams.
President Greg Czapnik said it has been a tough couple of years for sporting clubs, but they were hopeful that the worst had passed.
“We are starting again on March 18,” he said.
“We have lost a few players from last year as you normally do, but we’ve also picked some players up.
“We won’t know where we are sitting until about round eight. We’re looking for promotion and success, but we’ll need some luck and make sure we have no injuries or suspensions.”
Czapnik said that had mixed reactions to last season, having taken high hopes into the year. He said even if the season was completed, they didn’t think they would have earned promotion.
“I don’t think we beat any of the teams above us last one game we shouldn’t have to one of the struggling slides
“Even if the season progressed one and two teams might have been third or fourth. Upfield was the best team but far, while the Western Eagles beat us twice.”
Lino Grech has been named senior coach again, having been in the role since 2017.
Czapnik said they feel like this year’s squad has a bit of depth which they hope will hold them in good stead.
“We’ve signed a couple of midfielders, a couple of strikers and a couple fo defenders
“We have got some good depth, which we always seem to have at the start of the year like most clubs.
“It can be hard to keep people if they are not playing, but we think we have a pretty good dressing atmosphere that people want to stay.”
Czapnik said overall the club was looking good ahead of the season, but registrations for some of the junior sides had been a bit slower than they would have liked.
The club had a registration day on the weekend, which they were hoping would kick start that.
United’s top side will start their season under lights against Westvale.
Czapnik said they tried a Friday night match last season and it was successful.
“It was pretty successful with a big crowd.”
Tara Murray
