Mark Gvozdic and Michael Curcija are hoping to lead Williamstown Soccer Club into a new era of success. 74822 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Liam Twomey
WILLIAMSTOWN Soccer Club was left with two options after being relegated to division three of the Victorian Premier League in 2012.
Players, coaches and board members could feel sorry for themselves over a long summer or they could implement the changes they needed to get back up the divisional ladder.
It’s not hard to work out what choice Williamstown made after appointing former Socceroos player Michael Curcija as head coach for the new season.
Curcija represented Australia at the Sydney Olympics as well as playing in Portugal for four years. More recently he played in the Victorian Premier League for Oakleigh before making the move to coaching.
He isn’t the only new face at the club with Mark Gvozdic taking over as president as the two set about leading Williamstown into a new era of success.
“We are very lucky to have someone like Michael here and hopefully we can go on to big things and achieve what we want to,” Gvozdic said.
“The goal is to get into first division within the next five years. With Michael and the club working together hopefully we can get there.”
The first time coach was approached by the previous board to take over and he said he was rapt the deal could be done with the incoming committee.
“I knew it was a good family club. There are good honest people running things and I knew they would support me in the role and that’s been the case so far which has been great,” Curcija said.
“I think we are a good chance to get promoted again so for me coming in as a new coach and coaching a team where you think you are going to win a few games is great.”
Curcija has met with the playing group and will also be looking to sign a couple of recruits to bolster the 2012 squad in the lead up to pre-season training in January.
Any players who would like to attend training sessions are more than welcome by Curcija and the club.
The only piece of the puzzle left is a major sponsor with any local businesses in the area encouraged to contact Mark Gvozdic on 0419 200 382.
