Whittlesea United is determined to make its stay in the Victorian Premier League 2 competition for more than one year.
The fight for spots division is on the line with just four points separating Box Hill United in eighth spot and bottom side Pascoe Vale.
Three sides will be relegated at the end of the season.
Whittlesea’s Nabi Tuna said they had worked hard to give themselves a chance to avoid relegation.
“Since the new coaching staff have come into the club, it’s been a bit of fresh air and they’ve got a spring in their step.
“We’ve won three out of our four last games with the league with the aim of staying in the league.
“It is tight at the bottom of the ladder.”
Club legend Tansel Basar has taken on the coaching role after the club parted ways with championship coach Andrew Marth.
Tuna said Baser would do anything for the club.
“He’s a legend and captain for 10 years,” he said. “He was an assistant coach to Andrew Marth and he’s taken on our head coaching role.
“He’s doing well so far. When the opportunity arose he saw the club was in a hard position and knew that he was the man to step up.
“He’s doing what he can to keep us in the league. He’s a big club man and will put his hand up even it he’s not 100 per cent ready.”
With three matches to go, Whittlesea United knows its fate is in its own hands.
Tuna said they need another four or five points from the remaining three matches to ensure they stay in VPL2.
He said staying in the division was important for the club’s future.
“We need to keep winning, starting Friday,” he said. “With six or seven teams in the drop zone, we need to stay out of the bottom three positions and get gaining points.
“We want to play and start preparing for VPL season next year rather than a state league one season.
“For a small community club like us to even get to where we are is exciting.
“To got down and try and come back up will be really difficult. We’ve got the club in a good position top to bottom and don’t want to lose that and start again.”
Tuna said things were going well against the club.
They’ve had an increase of 100 per cent in the their junior program, while their women’s side is on top in state league 3 north and aiming for the championship.
