New name, new coach. The 2017 National Premier League season marks the beginning of a brand new chapter in Ballarat soccer.
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Ballarat City FC makes its debut in the NPL2 West Vic season opener away to Brunswick City in on Sunday.
And head coach Danny Gnjidic is looking for a strong start to provide further impetus which the successor to the Ballarat Red Devils is already building.
He said while it would have been great to have a home game first-up, a full-strength Ballarat would get every opportunity to secure three points.
Gnjidic said City FC would be suited by the transfer of the game to a neutral ground in Fawkner, which in contrast to Brunswick’s home venue provided a first class playing surface conducive to the brand of football he wanted.
He said City would play a “dynamic” style with constant ball movement.
While there have been no shortage of changes for Ballarat City FC, one important constant is the backbone of the playing squad.
Gnjidic has made minimal changes to his list, with tall goalkeeper Josh Dorron from Alice Springs the only newcomer to Ballarat in five additions. Northern Ireland’s Paul George, who arrived in Ballarat late last season, has not returned.
Gnjidic, who coached Moreland Zebras against Ballarat in NPL2 West Vic last year, said he had been impressed by the commitment of the squad in the pre-season.
He said they had returned more mature as young men and as players, having already made most of the opportunities being placed in front of them.
Gnjidic is pleased with the even spread of talent across the team.
“We don’t have any stand-out boys. We have a group which is competitive and players who can all contribute.” he said.
Ballarat City will get every opportunity to get the strong start it needs to the season if it is challenge for a championship and promotion back to the top tier of the NPL in Victoria.
The Navy Blues will follow the first game with six at home at Morshead Park in the next eight outings.
Their first home game will be against Whittlesea Ranges on Saturday, February 11, at 6pm.
This will be timeslot for the majority of City FC home games.
MILES Baker looks to have escaped a serious knee injury.
Gnjidic said Baker had been informed he did not require a scan, which in turn hopefully meant he would not need surgery.
Ballarat City FC has just five news face in its senior squad for new season.
BALLARAT CITY FC SQUAD
FFV state league four team Sebastopol Vikings has been the main source of recruits, with Carl Frankson, Alex Antonelli and Will Georgiou joining.
Goalkeeper Josh Dorron has arrived from Alice Springs and Jake Gaffney promoted from the under-20s.
1 Josh Romein
2 Charlie King
3 David King
4 Daniel Tinker
5 Shaun Romein
6 Liam Harding
7 Dominic Swinton
8 Nelson Salvatore
9 Michael Trigger
10 Pat Karras
11 Carl Frankson
12 Alex Antonelli
13 Will Georgiou
14 Jake Francis
15 Isaac Ellis
16 Josh Dorron
17 Josh De Voogel
18 Ibrahim Ghulami
19 Michael Mullins
20 Miles Baker
21 Jake Selby
22 Jack Gaffney
23 Ryan Schorback
24 Connor Tabbit