Things looking positive for club

By Teo Pellizzeri

December 4 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton's soccer community has given an early thumbs-up to the new team proposed for North Eastern Soccer League.

The Vibert Reservebased club, currently considering names such as Kialla Lakers and Kialla Red Devils, is hoping to field teams in every division of the league next year bar open women.

The league confirmed it had received an official application to join from the new club this week.

It will most likely get an answer on its application to join the competition at the annual meeting, at this stage set for January.

The league had extended its feelers as far as former league city Griffith to try and fill gaps in its men's division one fixture for next season.

If the new club is accepted into the league it will play in blue and red stripes similar to Spanish club Barcelona.

"I think it's an encouraging sign to see clubs are evolving on our doorstep rather than from far and wide," league secretary Sam Saracino said.

The new club will draw the majority of its players from the Iraqi and Congolese communities, many of who have come through the Shepparton Junior Soccer Association system with McGuire College.

"Hopefully the club does get up and they have a strong committee," Shepparton United president Shane Harford said.

"For the good of the men's competition we need the numbers."

Shepparton's premiership coach of the past two seasons Andy Ingham has helped the new club in an unofficial capacity with training sessions after the end of the season.

Ingham spoke highly of club secretary Danny Lythgo, saying his passion for the game had been important in taking the McGuire College junior teams and evolving them into a potential league club.

"It's going to take time for the squads to come together, but it will be good for the community and the game," Ingham said.