Image: Mouad Zwed
Championship-winning NPL2 manager Nick Tolios and first-team coach Bill Theodoropoulos have re-committed to overseeing Kingston City’s return to the top flight in 2017.
The duo led City to first place in NPL2 East, earning automatic promotion ahead of Dandenong Thunder before defeating West conference winners St Albans Saints 3-2 in the Grand Final.
34-year-old Tolios ended his playing career at childhood club Kingston before stepping into the managerial position in 2013, with Theodoropoulos joining him at the club last year.
He had previously occupied the managerial role at the Oakleigh Cannons in 2012 after succeeding Huss Skenderovic mid-season before leading the Cannons to a Grand Final along with co-coach Peter Zois, ultimately losing 2-1 to Chris Taylor’s all-conquering Dandenong Thunder side.
Tolios, a former defender with Carlton and South Melbourne in the NSL, spoke of his delight at being able to continue his partnership with Theodoropoulos as Kingston head back into the top tier after a nine-year absence.
“It is fantastic that the club has agreed to keep Billy and me at the club together to continue with the hard work we have already done over the past few years together.
“Billy brings a fair bit of experience in the NPL having coached Oakleigh at this level before. This was important to me and the club to help develop and prepare our young team in the NPL,” Tolios added.
Kingston’s promotion-winning squad featured just five players over the age of 24, with the youthful City earning many plaudits over the course of the campaign for their enthusiasm and never-say-die attitude despite sitting in second place for the majority of the season.
Their manager is hopeful of retaining the majority of the players while also adding some top-flight experience to the squad, which is largely unproven at such a level.
“We are hoping to retain the majority of the team and bring in some experience that will help express our playing style even more than last season.”
“This will be my fifth season as manager of the club and I can’t wait to start the new season in the top flight next year. We understand that it will be tough but I’m sure the club and the team will be up for the challenge.”