Can the side play along in harmony to Carley’s tune once again? With confidants Billy Marshall and Pat Kielty returning as technical director and assistant coach respectively, anything seems possible.
The Suns’ seniors — headed up by Carley, Kielty and Marshall — recorded their best finish since 2017 this year after finishing equal-third in the suspended National Premier League Two season.
Having the pair alongside him has Carley geared up for another big year, with the Englishman voicing his delight at having his allies back in the dugout for the upcoming campaign.
“I’m obviously looking forward to getting the boys back together,” Carley said.
“I’m delighted that we have some stability in regard to the coaching side of things, with Billy signing on as technical director and Pat as my assistant again.
“They are two great football people who are passionate and really believe in what we are doing here at the Suns.”
What the Suns are doing is mixing it with some of the state’s oldest and wealthiest clubs, and doing so with far less of a salary to play with, being an organisation still in its relative infancy.
Which takes passion, and truckloads of it, from the boots on the ground.
However, the Suns have been held in great stead via an insurance policy — youth.
The talent sprouting up at McEwen Reserve makes the trio’s job not only easier but also more exciting, and with the bulk of 2021’s squad recommitting for next season, Carley is itching for a shot at a season without an asterisk.
“With two years of interrupted seasons it has been difficult, but we have managed to keep the core of the squad together,” Carley said.
“With the emergence of quality talent coming through the junior ranks it’s exciting, and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”
10°C