By Tara Murray
It’s the beginning of a new era for Whittlesea United as it makes the step into the Victorian Premier League for the first time.
After claiming the FV state league 1 north-west title and promotion last season, United is now in the third highest competition in the state.
Coach Andrew Marth said it had been a bit different for many of the group already.
“I know what to expect and it does help,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of players that have played at this level and know what to expect and for others, it’s an eye opener for some of the players and the club.
“We’ve added four or five players to bolster the squad and be competitive.”
“It’ll be a tough season in the NPL [VPL], and the club will be up against it. The main thing is to survive.”
Marth, who has coached in the top flight, said one of the big things stepping up into the National Premier-League and VPL structure was the extra professionalism that was needed.
He said he knows where they need to go and be competitive at the next level.
The group has already started pre-season, with many state league clubs not normally starting until after Christmas.
For Marth, in his first pre-season at the club, it’s good to be out there on the training pitch.
“Pre-season makes a big difference and the boys have noticed straight away,” he said. “We want to get 100 per cent with our fitness.
“That is a key for us at that level, that will help.”
Marth with a change of structure to the competition with a top six playing in play offs, that was what they were aiming for.
He said all the players they had added to the squad had played at a higher level.
”We only train twice a week, where the majority of NPL clubs train three times a week,” he said.
“They have young families and don’t want to over commit, but still want to play at a high level so they’ve come to Whittlesea United.”
Ali Turgut has crossed from Manningham United, Atilla Ofli, who has played at some of the biggest clubs in the state, Corey Thomas, Koray Cekic and Eren Arslan, who has played at Hume City have all joined the club.
State league 1 most vulnerable player Marcus Day is also returning for another season, while Jack Marth, who has played NPL, is also returning after following his father across.
Whittlesea United will kick off its season on February 8 against Werribee City, which was relegated from VPL1.
