Soccer
CAN Derren Elliott and Mount Martha defy the critics and join the race for promotion from State 5 South next season?The Mariners were granted State League status in late 2019 but have played just three full seasons since due to the impact of the pandemic. And despite never finishing in the top half of the league new head coach Charlie Platt and new assistant Elliott have set an ambitious goal for 2025.
“Look it’s too early to say we’re going to do this or we’re going to do that but if everything comes together then I’m hoping that at the very least we will be very, very competitive,” Elliott said. “To be fair, Charlie wants promotion. “He’s not the sort of man that sets small targets. “A lot will depend on who we bring down and with the club celebrating its 10th year next year and the new clubrooms set to open before the season starts it would be pretty special to get promoted next season.”
Two clubs have won promotion to State 4 in the past three seasons with just 13 wins – Mentone and Casey Panthers – while the Mariners’ best tally in that time is only nine wins. And only one club has been promoted recently from State 5 without a playing budget – Jason Grieve’s Mentone in the 2023 season. “When we got promoted we paid for a few players’ registrations and club fees but that was it,” Grieve said. “No player has picked up money for playing for Mentone including the likes of Marcus Spivey, Adam Leander and Peter Varsamis who all played at a higher level.”
That’s heartening news for Platt and Elliott and it’s a model Mount Martha will try and emulate. “We’ve got a couple of 18-year-olds, a couple of 20-year-olds and some ‘old heads’ now which you need,” Elliott said. “’Steely’ (Adam Steele), ‘Bangers’ (Dan Bancroft) and Davey Jones have done well and a lot will depend now on who we get coming down this season.”
You can add Elliott to the list of “old heads” indeed he’s the oldest Mariner and likely the league’s elder statesman. “Yes I am conscious of my age,” the 51-year-old goalkeeper said. “I had a discussion with (former coach) Mark Larner a couple of seasons back that if someone good comes along would I be willing to step aside. “Well if they’re good enough then they should have the opportunity to prove it but I’m not just going to hand it over. “I’m not so sure everyone sees it like that,” he said with a laugh. “I’m sure our technical director (Serhat Ozenir) would like to get more youth through.”
Elliott doesn’t anticipate his role as senior assistant encroaching on his responsibilities as first choice keeper. Platt approached him about the position just before the club’s presentation night last month. “My first response was ‘does that mean you don’t want me playing in goal?’ “Look I think the reality will be that I’ll act as a sounding board for Charlie to bounce ideas off. “He’s pretty much hands-on as a coach so I’ll still be able to focus on my game if I need to.” Elliott and Platt have put an extensive network of player contacts to good use lately and the success of their endeavours will soon be known.
The Mariners’ pre-season starts at 7pm this Thursday at Civic Reserve and the following week there will be sessions on Tuesday and Thursday. “Charlie and myself have put feelers out but we can’t name anyone right now because obviously a lot of them are at other local clubs. “Plus it’s one thing to say on the phone that you’re coming down and another to see them actually turn up so let’s wait and see. “Getting one or two sorted is a big start though because we can say to other players that we’ve signed these guys.
“If you’ve got some quality footballers and the framework is all there then you can bring others in on the back of that. “Charlie wants to play an attacking style of football and something that’s good to watch. “He’s an affable lad. He’s got a good personality and he could probably talk a few lads into coming down and having a look. “The facilities are a big attraction – the pitches are excellent – and being local lads there’s a minimal travelling requirement. “Obviously we can’t pay anybody so I guess its about getting people to play for the love of the game but giving them the incentive of winning something.”
When Elliott talks about the love of the game he speaks from experience. It has underpinned his remarkable playing career which started in his native St Albans in Hertfordshire. He played for St Albans youth team and made a handful of reserves appearances but a highlight of his playing days in England was winning the County Cup with Queen’s Head FC. He arrived in Melbourne in 2009 and joined Mornington where he has played at Bayside Premier League, Over-35s and Metro levels. He still plays for Mornington’s Over-35s on Sundays but keeping the opposition at bay for the Mariners is his main priority.
Should Mount Martha fail to reach the heights firmly in their sights for next season there is another club in State 5 that Elliott thinks can win promotion. “If it’s not going to be us going up then I think it will be Aspendale to be fair. “They’ve got a really good set-up and they’re a good bunch of lads. “From a selfish point of view I was glad they didn’t go up this year because we like playing against them to be honest. “You can have a competitive game with them with no ‘aggro’. “You can’t say that about some of the other clubs.”
Now about to embark on his fourth straight season at Civic Reserve Elliott is under no illusion about the enormity of the task facing his side next year. “I think the league has improved marginally in standard but there’s always one team that seems to come down and spend heavily. “That make it tough. Really tough.” But Mentone proves that as tough as it is matching the cashed-up clubs it still can be done. Elliott and his gaffer are banking on that.
First published in the Frankston Times – 19 November 2024
