HERITAGE ROUND: Col May – Manly United man through and through

Manly United may only have one PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s title to their name, but they remain a crucial part of the makeup of the New South Wales’ football tradition.
The product of a number of amalgamations over the year, Manly has come to represent the proud region of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Former first team manager Col May was there through all the amalgamations and was on hand to do whatever was needed to assist the first-team coaches with whatever the needed.
The club came into existence as it is known today at the end of the 1991 season and changing its name to the current Manly United in 2004 when it was promoted back to the state Premier League.
“I’m not the team-manager this year, I’ve given it up, but I’m still around to help them out,” May said.
“It was a lot of just helping out the coach on match day, sorting the drinks for the players and making sure they have the right numbers in the match book and make sure the player are wearing the right numbers.”
May first got involved in football for his kids, but he has stayed even beyond their involvement in the club.
“I’ve just stayed on. It’s something in the blood,” May said.
“I don’t have the kids involved anymore, but I just wanted to stay involved. It’s been an outlet for me, it’s something to do.
“I’ve been in Manly for 14 or 15 years and it is where I am going to stay.”
Among May’s favourite memories at the club are the team’s on-pitch successes.
They won the championship in 1995 and most recently a Waratah Cup in 2011.
“The premiership was great. I remember we won it at Marconi stadium against Blacktown,” May said.
“But really, it’s just the nice people that are there.
“It’s like a little family. There’s not many of us but we’re a family and we all appreciate each other.”
May said he was delighted to see the club start the season in a positive fashion.
“We don’t spend a lot of money on players and we try and develop what we have in the club,” May said.
“It seems to be working this season, as some of the results have shown.”
– By Matt Galea
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre