When Hume City set its goals at the start of the season, it didn’t envisage just how well they would unfold.
The team made the final four of the Dockerty Cup – a contest for the best team in Victoria outside the A-League – the final four of the NPL and then, to top it off, the final four of the FFA Cup.
City coach Louie Acevski said the year had exceeded all expectations.
“We had a plan at the start of the season and we’re ahead of that schedule,” he said.
“It shows what we can do with the right attitude and application. The boys can cause upsets and they can still become better players.”
The coach paid tribute to the players who had given up several weeks of their off-season to make it to the final four of the FFA Cup – and to everyone at the club.
“It’s been a massive success from the back room staff to all the players and the supporters,” he said.
“The president has put in a lot of hard work and there’s been a lot of hurdles. It’s been a positive for the club and lots of positive media about where we’re going.”
He said this season had only been the stepping stone to the next.
“We want to win the NPL next season and try and win the Dockerty Cup. We want to make it to the FFA Cup semi-finals again, and this time beat an A-League side.
“There are bigger and better things to come.”
The success of City this year puts some players on the radar of A-league clubs.
Acevski said the media exposure given to the players during the FFA Cup meant several may step up.
Goalkeeper Chris Oldfield is at the head of this pack, having recently trialled with Central Coast Mariners. “Several A-League clubs will want to know more about him,” Acevski said. “It’ll only be a short time before he gets picked up by a club, in my eyes. Others will have some people look at them; some may need another year in NPL to get more consistency.”
