By Luke Sheehan
RE-SIGNED Sunshine George Cross coach Andy O’Dell has revealed his side will call Melbourne Knights’ home ground Mansion Stadium home next year in the Victorian Premier League.
O’Dell said the move to the Knights’ home would be an improvement on Chaplin Reserve.
“The pitch (at Chaplin Reserve) was shocking,” he said.
O’Dell said that as a general rule, the Football Federation Victoria (FFV) grounds were not in the best condition for a professional football league.
“The grounds are not the best. Look at the A League, which is in a bright state, compared with the State league which is dull.”
The revelation of Sunshine’s new home coincided with O’Dell re-signing for season 2010 after coaching the Georgies in their promotion season to the Premier League from State League One in 2009.
“There were a couple of things regarding player payment, but we got through it. I needed to know which way the club would go (next year) … I had no intention of leaving.”
After watching the title decider between Altona and Dandenong, O’Dell said Sunshine could have easily gone all the way if it had sneaked into the final five.
“If results had gone our way, everyone would have wanted to play for us,” he said.
“Everyone said we were going to get relegated … I drive on things like that. I’m not going to say we’re going to win (in 2010).
“I might lose the first three games and get the sack. Who knows?”
O’Dell was staying quiet on potential recruits for next season, given the reaction to his attempt at bringing Englishman Dean Windass to the club mid-season in 2009.
“I got calls from everyone, including SBS, and even adidas wanting to have him dressed up in their gear when he got off the plane. It just got out of hand.
“He was only going to play three or four games and that was going to be it.
“I’m going to keep them (the recruits) in my hat this year.”
In regards to the proposed breakaway league that would rival the FFV, O’Dell said it would be a good thing for State level soccer, and he said he hoped it would evolve.
“I wish it would happen … the FFV hammer us with fines. What do they do with the money?”
O’Dell said crowd numbers were dwindling, and hence the league needed a revamp.
“I was at the grand final. There were about 1500 people there, 2000 maximum. They (the FFV) were saying there were 6000 people there.”
O’Dell plans to begin pre-season training for his squad in early December.
