By ADEM SARICAOGLU
JEFFREY Fleming will be the man to lead the Green Gully Cavaliers forward once more in 2014.
Fleming, still an active player in the Cavaliers’ squad, took over the coaching reins from Dean Hennessy through the middle of last season.
The club last week confirmed it has applied to be part of the new National Premier League being introduced in Victoria.
But the Cavaliers will not know where they’ll be playing until Football Federation Victoria confirms successful NPL applicants in early February.
After successfully turning Green Gully’s fortunes around and earning a finals berth in 2013, Fleming is now looking forward to doing it all again as a playing coach this coming season.
“The body feels OK and I still enjoy playing so I’m happy to still be playing,” Fleming said.
“We don’t quite know what’s happening but assuming everything goes well on the (NPL) front, I’m looking forward to the challenge and the season starting.”
Fleming will again be assisted from the sideline by Aaron Symons, while Frankie Lagana and Peter Zois will also be part of the coaching panel.
Fleming said he was pleased to have Symons by his side once more after the pair combined well in 2013.
“It’s a really good thing for me and the club that Aaron’s staying on because of his experience,” Fleming said.
“We’re just looking to continue working together and get the most out of the players and obviously get some positive results.”
The Cavaliers have not yet begun signing any new players and have so far only released Hamid Basma, who chose to retire, from last year’s squad.
While Fleming said a few changes may occur once Green Gully knows its NPL fate, for now at least, he expects to go into the new season with a very similar squad to the one he led in 2013.
