YARRAVILLE Glory has improved its prospects by reappointing coach Charlie Egan for a further two seasons.
The one-time Socceroo has agreed to a contract extension that will see him remain at the club until the end of 2014.
The news comes hot on the heels of the Glory’s stunning 2-1 win over Sydenham Park on the road at Keilor Lodge Reserve in the last round of the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 season.
The Glory played to perfection the role of party crashers, denying the Reds a title on a dramatic final day.
“We beat Sydenham and we beat them comfortably,” Glory president Jon Balakis told the Weekly.
“We had the majority of the play until the final six or seven minutes. We upset the party.”
Two stunning goals were the potion for the Glory.
John Little put the Glory in front when he chested the ball down to his feet and volleyed a dipping ball into the top corner.
The Reds got back on level terms, but had no answer to Yared Hailemelekot’s long-range wonder strike.
“It was a cracker,” Balakis said. “It would have to be one of the goals of the season.”
Mark Wilson again underlined how important he is to the Glory.
The goalkeeper pulled off a number of important saves to show why he will be a man in demand during the off-season.
“The guy is a star,” Balakis said. “He could be playing in the Victorian Premier League or even the A League, in my opinion. He made five or six great saves and the Sydenham coach [Sash Becvinovski] came up and said, ‘Where did you get him from?”‘
The Glory finished mid-table, seventh with seven wins, seven draws and eight losses after a shaky start.
It was no coincidence that its results improved from the moment Steve Georgakakis arrived from Western Suburbs.
“He gave us a tremendous lift in the midfield,” Balakis said.
The decision to extend Egan’s tenure as coach of the Glory was a no-brainer, according to Balakis.
The Glory went into the season with a skeleton playing list after the defection of all but two starters from last year’s squad.
Egan never complained, working with the personnel he had at his disposal and unearthing a few gems along the way.
“Are we happy with where we finished?” Balakis said. “I say absolutely, considering where we came from.
“We were left with two players from last year’s senior team after a few jumped the boat for what they thought would be greener pastures.
“Charlie had to build a brand new team and we’re really happy with the way they’ve gelled in the second half of the year.”
FFV results
SL1: Altona Magic 6 Werribee City 3
SL2: Altona City 5 FC Clifton Hill 4, Banyule City 2 Altona East Phoenix 3
SL3: Williamstown 3 Sporting Whittlesea 1, Sydenham Park 1 Yarraville 2
PL1: Maribyrnong Greens 3 Moreland United 14
PL2: Plenty Valley Lions 5 Laverton Park 1
PL3: Fawkner SC 2 Melbourne City 2
MML: Albert Park 3 Altona North 5
