Hume City have secured the services of talismanic striker Craig Carley from Gouburn Valley Suns, marking a return to the top-flight for the first time since 2014.
The 31-year-old Englishman – widely considered one of the premier forwards of the NPL2 – notched up six goals to start the NPL2 West season, having played his last game for the club in the 4-1 loss to Box Hill United in Round Eight.
The move to Hume City ends a six-year association within the Northern Victoria area, having initially joined Cobram Victory in 2010, taking on a role as player-coach, before moving to Goulburn Valley for their initial NPL Victoria season in 2014.
There, he plowed 14 goals in his debut season for the Shepparton-based outfit, developing a reputation for his penalty expertise, with half his goals coming from the spot.
The former AFC Wimbledon striker had an astounding 2015 with the club following their relegation to the second-tier, where he netted 33 times to tie with Melbourne Victory’s Joey Katebian for Golden Boot honours.
In an amazing personal feat, that season saw the prolific striker hammer home seven goals past a hapless Nunawading City in a 9-0 win for the Suns.
The move to Hume marks a significant personal step for the forward, who saw this as an opportunity he couldn’t turn down, revealing he’d turned down the advances of several other clubs in the pre-season.
“The chance to move to the top flight again was too good a chance to turn down at this stage of my career,” Carley told The Corner Flag.
“I always have aspirations to play at the highest level possible and Hume is a fantastic professionally run club both on and off the pitch. I spoke to a lot of clubs at the start of the season but really wanted to give promotion another push at the Suns so I stayed loyal there.
“When Hume called me a few weeks back it was too big a chance to turn down and be in that professional environment with some quality players throughout the squad. Obviously I have other commitments such as work outside of football and that is very settled at the moment which has allowed me to make the move.”
Carley will remain based in Shepparton, a town which has treated him incredibly well over the years.
He’ll take plenty of lasting memories with him from the Suns as he takes the next step forward in his footballing career.
“I will take many memories with me – playing with some of my best mates in Jamie England, Matty Lelliott and even Shaun Kane and Sean Ellis before his move to Heidelberg was a brilliant experience,” he said.
“Training was always a joy and I honestly believe Nick Kalafatis is one of the best up and coming coaches in Victoria. There are many fantastic people doing things on and off the pitch in Shepparton and it is a real family club.
“Once the club can establish their identity I really believe they can go on to bigger and better things. I have nothing but positive things to say about the Suns.
“Obviously it’s disappointing not to be able to continue to play and train with them until the transfer window, but that’s a decision from the club I have to accept and respect.”
“I just want to thank my close mate Sean Grant at Shepparton South who is allowing me to train with them to keep me fit as well as training with Hume whenever possible.
“I’m just looking forward to pushing on and breaking into the team at Hume and hopefully start scoring some goals.”
Carley revealed the club made the decision to not retain his services until the mid-season window, despite his offer to play Under 20’s football to allow a younger player to take his spot in the first team.
Carley does not fill an international spot under the Hume City playing roster, and will have to wait until the mid-season transfer window to officially complete his move.
Photo: Mark Avellino