SOCCER
STATE 4 South outfit Chelsea has lured high-profile coaching guru Stuart Munro to its ranks.
The local club announced his arrival as technical director late last week.
Munro boasts a celebrated career both as a professional footballer and coach.
The Scot played with St Mirren and Alloa before establishing himself with Glasgow giant Rangers where he played for seven and a half years.
He also played with Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City before coming to Australia in 1997 to join Sydney United.
Munro’s coaching CV includes stints at Gippsland Falcons, Carlton, Parramatta Power, South Melbourne, Oakleigh Cannons, Dandenong Thunder, Dandenong City and Melbourne Knights.
He has been assistant coach of Perth Glory and has twice been named Victorian Coach of the Year.
Munro also has worked in the women’s game as the inaugural coach of Southern United.
“I think I’ve still got a fair bit to offer in the junior player development area and I now live just around the corner from Chelsea so they are my local club,” Munro said.
“I don’t expect to be very much involved with the club’s senior program but will certainly be available if any advice is requested.”
And Chelsea won’t hesitate in asking Munro to vet prospective candidates for its senior coaching position vacated by Carlo Melino last month.
It seems certain that Munro’s knowledge, experience and communication skills will be put to good use at Edithvale Recreation Reserve.
Still in State 4 Somerville Eagles are on the lookout for a new senior coach after president Zach Peddersen revealed that Adam Steele would not be re-appointed.
“Unfortunately the club was put in a position where it was clear the best thing for Adam and the club was to move forward separately so we thank him for his time and effort,” Peddersen said.
“We’ll hold interviews in the coming weeks and there are a few candidates we’d like to speak to.
“Brandt Mulholland won the league with the reserves so he deserves a chance to be considered.”
Captain Conor Mcfall was one of the driving forces in a senior group that has proven competitive and capable of mounting a serious promotion campaign.
Mcfall has only played senior football for two clubs.
He started playing with Seaford United’s subjuniors until the absence of an under-11 side prompted a switch to Skye United for three seasons.
When he was 15 he returned to Seaford and played in the reserves before making his senior debut as a 16-year-old.
Mcfall signed for Somerville for the pandemic-interrupted 2021 season and took over as senior team captain this year.
“I was a little bit surprised at being made captain but I’ve always been part of the leadership group so it made sense in that regard,” he said.
“I guess when I switched from playing out wide up front to a central midfield role I became more of a leader on the park.
“While I still enjoy playing up top I really enjoy getting on the ball more and to be honest I wasn’t enjoying playing out wide.”
Under Steele the Eagles recorded their highest ever points tally at this level when they amassed 38 points and finished fifth last season.
So what will it take for the senior side to take the next step and win promotion?
“We were a really young team,” Mcfall said.
“I mean I’m one of the older guys and I’m 24.
“A few injuries set us back this year and both Tom Pollock and Connor Carson had season-ending knee injuries.
“That took a lot away from us especially experience in those tough games against Baxter and White Star Dandenong where we lacked that calmness and we hit the panic button a bit.
“So I think next year having two or three players with experience who can play against those title-chasing sides would really help us a lot.”
Mcfall also has a message for his new coach.
“We’ve got a very settled squad and we’re a tight group of players who would run though brick walls for each other.
“This is a great job for the new coach who can come in and work with a young group that can only get better.
“I don’t think we need many new players to take us to that next level and I’m excited about what we could do next season.”
In other news Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor who recently resigned as head coach of Frankston Pines has been contacted by NPL3 outfit Doveton about its vacant coaching role.
Doveton head coach Gerry McDonagh stepped down recently and Taylor has been touted as a possible replacement.
“Yes ‘Squizzy’ is on the shortlist as well as a couple of others from last year’s interviews,” Doveton president Danny McMinimee said.
“There also are two other candidates and we’ll be making a decision very quickly this year so as to get on the front foot.”
The interview panel consists of McMinimee, Stuart Webster and Julian Costin.
Taylor was interviewed late last week.
