Avondale FC have made another big statement, signing reigning NPL Victoria Goalkeeper of the Year Chris May following his release from Melbourne Knights earlier in the pre-season.
The 29-year-old joins the club following the void left by the departing duo of Fraser Siddall and Chris Maynard, the former of whom is spending the 2016 season travelling overseas.
Despite being with the club for a small chunk of the pre-season, the signing was only made official yesterday as the club were forced to wait on a residency application for signing Jonatan Germano to allow May to sign as one of the club’s two foreigners.
“I’ve just been trying to get myself fit,” May told The Corner Flag last weekend.
“I stated pre-season late due to work commitments so I wasn’t really able to fully go for it. Over the last six weeks I’ve really stepped it up and I’m raring to go now.
“I’ve trained at a couple of clubs but I’m obviously here at Avondale now, but just waiting on some Visa stuff to go through with another player. Hopefully that will go through and then I’ll be good to sign.”
The Englishman started his senior career at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made one appearance in the Football League Championship.
He arrived in Australia in 2012 from non-league club Redhill, signing for Heidelberg United in the VPL.
Despite a disappointing season at Olympic Village with the team relegated to State One, May caught the eye of other clubs and was picked up by Melbourne Knights in 2013.
He was the first choice keeper as the Knights entered the NPL era, but missed out on silverware when the club won the Dockerty Cup after serving a six-month suspension imposed on him following an FFA Cup tie against Olympic FC.
He hit peak form upon his return, helping the Somers Street outfit to fourth place with a number of standout performances, earning the FFV’s accolade as best keeper of the year in the process.
May will look to reclaim his seat in the locker room at Knights Stadium for 2016 as Avondale make the switch to the other side of he quarry with Somers Street replacing Doyle Street as their home ground in 2016.
He has an intimate knowledge of Avondale’s adopted home having made 70 appearances for Knights over the last three years.
Feature Image: Skip Fulton