It?s a double dose of good news for the club heading into Saturday night?s home match against Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium, following the news Daniel McBreen will join the club from North Queensland Fury for two seasons from 2010/11.
Nikas, who has scored eight goals in 10 matches this season, will join Lawrie McKinna?s first team squad for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 campaign, and will be available for selection for this Saturday?s Round 18 clash against Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium.
“Our National Youth League side is sitting on top of the ladder after 14 rounds and Panny has been a big part of its success,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“This opportunity is just reward for a player of Panny?s calibre, and we look forward to him not only contributing to the team, but also learning a lot off the senior players as he continues to develop.”
Nikas? signing comes after the club agreed to the mutual termination of David D?Apuzzo?s deal, after the young left back opted to focus on studying for a law degree.
“Panny has been outstanding in the Youth, scored a lot of goals, and week in week out he is one of their best players,” said Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.
“With David deciding to take a break, it?s worked out well for Panny, he?ll come in and train full time with the first team squad, and we expect him to get better.”
Nikas has been a revelation this NYL campaign, and has seen him continue on with his amazing form in 2009, which saw him score an amazing 22 goals from midfield for Sutherland Sharks, to help lead his team to Telechoice NSW Premier League Grand Final glory.
“I was out shopping when (Youth League coach) Tony (Walmsley) called me, so I was pretty wrapped when I got the phone call,” said Nikas.
“I?m just trying to do my best in the youth league and every time I?ve been called into training I?ve tried to work to the levels that the boys are working at, because they are going pretty well.”
Archives for December 2009
Bonnyrigg White Eagles continue signings with Wade Oostendorp joining the fold
The up and coming defender, a former AIS graduate, played for the Marconi Stallions as well as Sydney FC.
The 21-year-old is hoping for a huge season in 2010 with his new club and colours.
Oostendorp was officially presented to the club fans and sponsors at the Bonnyrigg White Eagles? season launch at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club held last Saturday.
-By Mark Stavroulakis
Bonnyrigg White Eagles stage successful 2010 season launch
The club?s major sponsor NSW Compensation Lawyers led by owner Vic Petrovic handed over a $50,000 cheque to the Bonnyrigg White Eagles in supporting them for the new season.
With a number of fresh new faces that have been snapped up by the club, coach Brian ?Bomber? Brown and assistant Cliff Pointer were on hand to present the new squad in front of vocal and passionate fans and sponsors who are hoping to see finals football played at the club in 2010.
The likes of players such as Bradley Boardman, Vuko Tomsevic, Shane Webb, Daniel Severino and Jamie McMaster to name a few have spearheaded Bonnyrigg?s chances of hopefully making this dream a reality for 2010.
Boardman in particular has echoed the club?s seriousness in pushing for finals football and capturing the NSW Premier League Premiership and Championship.
?The boys are all well aware of the job they need to do when the season commences next year.
?The coaching staff have been putting us through a gruelling pre-season program but it has been brilliant.
?The club has high expectations and we hope we can repay them by playing good football and achieving positive results.?
Like Boardman, coach Brian Brown has been busily preparing the squad for what he believes will be a tight competition in 2010.
?We?ve put the boys through a hard pre-season campaign and will continue to do so as well as playing a handful of friendly matches before our first match against the South Coast Wolves on the 27th of February at home.
?I have been pleased with how the boys have gelled together thus far as we have a number of new faces and I know it will take a bit of time for us to get that correct set-up but I am confident in all the players selected that they will be able to do the job.?
The evening also saw an officially signed Pele Brazilian jersey auctioned off for $2,000 while a lottery also took shape with proceeds assisting the club for 2010.
-By Mark Stavroulakis