Image: Banyule City
Banyule City Soccer Club are in high hopes that their 2017 campaign will continue the momentum the club has successfully built over the last three years.
After successful promotion from State League 2 in 2015, stacked against all odds in their first ever season in State League 1 Banyule finished fourth. It was a miraculous season for the once State League 3 side.
Now looking forward towards new horizons, Banyule City SC’s new coach Nick Georgakopoulos recognises consistency was one of the team’s major downfalls in the 2016 season.
“We have identified that the squad needs topping up in some areas and we have focused on having depth in the squad to deal with injuries and suspensions that hurt us in 2016. That will allow us to have consistency and momentum and deal with any mishaps along the way,” said Georgakopoulos.
Banyule have re-signed eight players from their 2016 season. These include captain Jonjo Ohara, Alex McQuade, Carel Tiofeck, Garbhan Grant, Chris Lester, Alex Tsemilis, Tom Andrews and Hector Moreira Guerra.
The two players that will be critical for a successful 2017 are Jonjo Ohara and Alex McQuade. Ohara has been the club’s captain since arriving in 2014, while McQuade won the club’s Players Player and Player of the Year awards last season.
Leading the team in tough moments, it’s Ohara and McQuade who will be called upon once again to keep Banyule’s rise in success active.
Jonjo Ohara, 26, is an ex-professional who spent time with Bradford City and the UK Nike Academy Team, which he also captained.
“I’m really pleased to be with the club that welcomed me into Australia two years ago and I feel just as dedicated to helping the club finish as high as possible this season,” said Ohara.
“I think we will be underestimated by other teams in the league as we have been in previous seasons, however I believe if we manage to keep the starting 11 fit we can upset a few of the bigger clubs.”
McQuade, 24, also spent time in the UK with Bolton Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town, Guiseley AFC, Hyde United, Farsley FC and Warrington Town before heading to our shores to ply his trade.
“As an individual, everyone knows I’m pretty competitive. I hate losing anything, whether it’s training or a game, and I believe that’s what this club needs,” said McQuade.
“I feel like coming through a premier league side’s academy and being part of professional ranks at different clubs in England, it can only bring positivity to the club.”
Georgakopoulos has been coaching at the club since 2013, taking charge of the reserves team for a season and then moving forward to senior assistant coach for the last two seasons. The club has trusted him to take on the senior role in 2017.
Banyule City SC need a knowledgeable leader and Georgakopoulos seems the right fit to take the club to new heights.
With an extensive playing career with clubs such as Oakleigh Cannons, Northcote City, Port Melbourne Sharks and Brunswick City, he is hungry for success and feeding his players the knowledge he has of the game.
The likes of Altona Magic, Preston Lions and North Sunshine Eagles, who have been earmarked early as potential promotion candidates, may be peering over their shoulders wary of the threat posed by the outfit from Yallambie.