Murray United FC

Murray United FC
Full name Murray United Football Club
Founded 2014
Ground La Trobe University Wodonga
Chairman Mark Byatt
Coach England James Coutts
League NPL2 East
Website Club home page

Murray United FC is an Australian soccer club encapsulating NSW's Riverina and North East Victoria. The club is based in Albury/Wodonga and competes in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. The club plays its home matches at La Trobe University.

Foundation

In early 2014, it was announced that an application had been submitted to Football Federation Victoria for a side under the name Border FC. The club was officially launched on May 27, 2014, as part of Australia's new look second tier of soccer, but under the name, Murray United FC. The change of name was to capture all things synonymous with the region. Murray United FC will promote opportunities for those wanting to play elite soccer from the local competition, the Albury Wodonga Football Association (AWFA), and will begin in the second tier of the NPL, the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2.

La Trobe University and Wodonga TAFE are the team's foundation sponsors.

On 29 September 2014, former Woking FC player & player/coach of local side Twin City Wanderer's FC, Matt Gray, was appointed head coach for the inaugural year. This was short lived however, with the region's gun player realising the demands of coaching & playing was too much, resigning in late December. He was replaced by dual code premiership coach Mick Richards, who won flags the local AFL and soccer competitions.[1]

On 31 October 2014, Murray United FC played their first match against external opposition, defeating Cobram Roar FC, a combined team of Cobram SC & Cobram Victory looking to participate in the AWFA next season. The final score was 7-0 to Murray United FC and was the last chance for players to impress before the 2015 squad announcement.

In a restructuring ahead of the 2015 season, the NPL2 division was divided into two parallel conferences with Murray United competing in the Eastern Conference.

Murray United played their first ever official game on the 21st of February, 2015, going down by 3-2 at La Trobe University to Box Hill United SC. Adam Waters and Zac Walker grabbed the goals. The club's first NPL2 point came the following week, drawing 1-1 with Springvale White Eagles FC at home. The club grabbed its first win of the season in Round 4 against Nunawading City FC, winning 2-1 through James Coutts and Zac Walker goals. The club entered a tumultuous period, losing five games in a row, including a 9-1 drubbing at the hands of Melbourne Victory FC Youth in Round 10. Late in the year, head manager Mick Richards resigned from his position, stating the toll on his family and business commitments as the primary reason.[2] Murray United ended the season with 6 wins, 4 draws and 18 losses,[3] finishing in 8th place in the NPL2 East division and 17th overall.[4]

In April 2016, United announced that former Socceroo Joshua Kennedy was appointed as a club ambassador.[5]

Home Ground

Panroamic shot of Murray United FC's home ground at La Trobe University

The club will ground share the La Trobe University soccer facilities with local side Wodonga Diamonds. The ground is located in Wodonga, Victoria and will receive numerous upgrades leading into the inaugural season. Chairman Mark Byatt stated, “The focus will be on lighting, seating and minor works to players’ facilities and security.[6]

Current squads

Senior team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Australia GK Nathan Brown
4 Australia DF Hussin Ntakirutimana
5 Mexico DF Daniel Cisneros
7 Australia FW Zac Walker
8 England MF James Coutts
9 Australia FW Mathew Hasler
10 Australia FW Kade Rixon
11 Australia MF Jayson Ferguson
No. Position Player
12 Australia MF Michael Jussup
13 Australia MF Joshua O'Brien
15 Australia FW Ryan Giles
16 Australia DF Sean Pye
23 Australia FW Benjamin Chaffey
24 Australia DF Joshua Mulcanhy
21 Australia GK Ben Russell

Under 20 Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
21 Australia GK Ben Russell
2 Australia MF Jason Colombera
17 Australia DF Melkie Woldemichael
18 Australia FW Lionel Masudi
19 Australia FW Tom Morrison
27 Australia DF Raul Pahina
29 Australia MF Darcy Pawlik
30 Australia MF Augus Kelly
32 Australia DF Marrison Flanagan
No. Position Player
33 Australia DF Alexander West
35 Australia FW Gradi Masudi
36 Australia DF Shane Ellwood
37 Australia MF Alexander Eggleston
38 Australia DF Harry Drummond
39 Australia DF Mohamad Abbas
40 Australia DF Samuel Brosolo

References

  1. ↑ "UNITED FRONT: Mick Richards to lead United". www.bordermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  2. ↑ "Murray United FC | Mick Richards Resigns as Senior Coach". murrayunitedfc.com.au. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  3. ↑ "Ladder for PS4 NPL1 East VIC - FOX SPORTS PULSE". foxsportspulse.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  4. ↑ "Summary - Victoria Division One - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  5. ↑ KOHLHAGEN, Brett. "Former Socceroo joins Murray United as club ambassador". The Border Mail. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "UNITED FRONT: Border launches Premier League club". www.bordermail.com.au. Retrieved 2014-11-05.
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