Manly United Football Club is proud to take its place in the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Competitions, for the men and women.

Football NSW outlined a varied format for the 2020 competition comprising 11 rounds and a two week semi final system, asking all NPL clubs to reaffirm their place in the competition.

Following separate meetings with the Men’s and Women’s senior squads and coaching staff Manly United has officially notified Football NSW of its intention to take part in the 2020 NPL NSW Men’s/Women’s Competitions.

“It was one of the easiest decisions we’ve ever made. We are a football club and our core focus is to play football games for men, women, boys and girls,” said Manly United CEO David Mason.

“Our men’s senior team had no hesitation in taking payment cuts for the 2020 season and we made the decision to retain the current payments for our women’s team.

The unprecedented COVID-19 disruption has presented unique challenges, as all Australians have had to adapt and evolve with the rapidly changing health, social and economic impacts it has created.

Football is no different.

Manly United Football Club has worked hard to rebound from a 10-week lockdown to ensure all teams and players can return to training and matches as soon as possible.

Junior teams and players have been back in training under COVID-Safe conditions for the past four weeks and Football NSW announced last week the resumption of the senior competitions under a varied format

“One positive out of this COVID-19 disruption and restrictions has been the opportunity for us to recognize the part football plays in our community and how much it has been missed,” Mason said.

“The COVID-19 shutdown has been challenging for Manly United as we worked to allow all of our players to return to training and matches as soon as possible and reshaping the training programs and season to ensure our players received the same development opportunities in 2020 as previous years.

“We are not immune to the financial realities that have hit our country and we’ve suffered a loss of revenue through sponsorship, canteen, holiday programs and annual fundraising events.

“It is a testament to the club culture that both the mens and womens senior squads have been not only understanding but supportive of the Club and agreed without question to resume the season.

“We are proud of the culture we have at Manly United and it is the people that drive that; the players, coaches, managers, volunteers and families it attracts has allowed us to charge full steam ahead into the varied 2020 season.”

Men’s Captain Sam Gallagher said: “We just want to play football. Ultimately we start playing football because we love the game. We all understand that the Club, like our entire country, has taken a hit and we are more than happy to get back onto the pitch and play for the love of the game.

“We have all missed the competitive aspect but more importantly the enjoyment and camaraderie and we can’t wait to get back into training on Monday night.”

Women’s Captain Chloe O’Brien was equally enthusiastic to restart the competition.

“The last few weeks training without knowing what was happening with matches has been difficult but it has been great to be back on the field playing the game we love. The club has been fantastic with getting training started as soon as possible and we are very grateful that we’ve been treated with respect with our contracts. I just can’t wait to play.”

-Manly United Press Release

Manly United skipper Sam Gallagher may still be waiting for the recommencement of the NPL NSW Men’s season but the current youth coach at the club is eagerly anticipating the first weekend of July when competitive football returns to the fold.

The 29-year-old ambitious coach has been working overtime with fellow teammate Joe Fox (Head of SAP) and Technical Director Andrew Christiansen during the COVID-19 lockdown  preparing to charge the club’s promising young prospects once more.

“I mostly work at Manly United in the Youth League age groups and even though lockdown stopped us from training and playing games as a club, myself, Joe Fox (Head of SAP) and Andrew Christiansen (Technical Director) spent a lot of time creating content for the players to be able to use from home.

“This included recording video sessions, session plans, fun challenges, Zoom calls, and keeping the kids as engaged as possible through the lockdown.”

Asked how he coped during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the former North Epping Rangers junior picked up a few handy hobbies with his main one being golf.

“It has been a strange and unique experience, but I’ve tried to make the best out of a bad situation during the COVID-19 break.

“I got into a routine of exercising every morning and finding ways to be productive with all the spare time I now had.

“Luckily I’m a keen golfer and golf was the only sport that basically stayed open the entire lockdown, so I’ve definitely taken advantage of that.

“I think my wife and I must have gone through the same stages as everyone else as whilst at home.

“Starting with jigsaw puzzles at the height of the lockdown, moving onto attempting to create a botanical garden on my tiny balcony in Dee Why and now I’ve even tried to start surfing, which isn’t going as well as I’d hoped. Might stick to watering basil.”

It was only natural that the former Australian U20s and U23s defender was elated with the news that restrictions for football were eased recently which helped him in one area with his youth teams but was still waiting for the green light on when the NPL NSW Men’s seniors would kick-off.

“It was great to hear that restrictions were once again being eased for football all around NSW and the country, but for me personally it means we can now run sessions with the whole team in the younger ages, whereas before we were restricted to 9 players and a coach, so the team was always split up.

“Our senior team is still yet to resume training but with the new easing of restrictions I hope will have a positive effect on the NPL NSW Men’s season resuming.

“I know the boys have been working hard and staying in touch throughout the lockdown period and up until this point.

“At the start of the lockdown, we all took some gear home with us which included, balls, cones, gym equipment, GPS units so as a group we’ve ticked over.

“We’re hoping now that the season will resume in some way, shape, or form.

“I know the Manly boys are keen to get back to playing.”

Gallagher was hit with a double whammy as stated earlier, not only did he miss playing the game, but he also missed coaching it as well when restrictions were at fever pitch.

“Even though I was still involved in the game through my coaching roles I wasn’t able to train with my team both coaching and playing.

“From a coaching perspective, I really missed taking sessions and from a playing perspective, I probably missed the social aspect the most.

“Training and playing games with friends and having that contact throughout the week was definitely something that I’ve missed.”

Not many current National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s players can say that not only do they play football but also have the talents of being an up and coming DJ and Producer – in this case, Manly United’s wonderkid Marley Peterson is living proof that this does in fact exist in our very own backyard.

The 21-year-old ace marksman, a former Western Sydney Wanderers youth prodigy, made the move back to the Northern Beaches this season when he signed with Manly United under the watchful eye of coach Paul Dee.

Like every footballer in not just NSW, but globally, COVID-19 struck, putting a halt to Peterson’s push for success at Cromer Park.

But unknown to most in the NPL NSW fraternity, Peterson possessed another talent apart from hitting the back of the net and that was the power to play and produce quality tunes on the decks.

“Before the self-isolation period began, I’ve always been interested in making music and producing, so when this all started, I thought there was no better time to start.

“So a talent, I guess but not yet that good at it, I am using a software online called Ableton to make my own music.”

Not that good, yet Peterson and some close friends kicked off a record label to showcase their talents as up and comers in the ever rising Australian electronic dance scene.

“A few close friends and I on the Northern Beaches started a record label late last year and it was mainly to showcase our taste in music which was really lacking around the beaches.

“We understood the importance and surge in popularity this style of music was in the whole scheme of things and continued to pursue it by bringing out tracks that best fit our style.”

Asked what type of music style he was known for and if he had any key influences Peterson replied.

“Music style is just simply House Music.

“A lot of influences come from the European scene, mainly from a record label called ‘PIV’.”

Peterson and co have already paid homage to some of Sydney’s finest underground electronic dance venues with the buzz growing more and more each time they’ve all hit the decks.

“We have members of our label penciled in for gigs regularly all-around Sydney in places such as S.A.S.H, Goodbar, Civic Underground, etc.

“However, since the whole pandemic with everything being closed for the time being, that has seen a lot of our upcoming shows cancelled or postponed.”

Peterson stated that it would be a dream come true to play at London’s iconic Printworks, a venue that has played host to a number of superstar DJs including Solomun, Simon Dunmore, Sam Divine, Todd Terry, Green Velvet, Solardo and Huxley to name a few.

Football wise, the young gun has continued with his fitness as well as keeping on top of his University studies during this down period.

“Since the suspension of the league, I’ve been just mainly focusing on staying healthy and busy with my university studies amongst other things like surfing and of course my music.

“To stay fit, I’ve been doing a couple of sessions a week with my good friend who lives down the road, Central Coast Mariner Gianni Stenssnes.

“We usually do a training session at the park then go for a surf and coffee afterwards a few times a week.

“Also, I’ve just been doing plenty of ‘at home gym work’ with me set up on my balcony.”

Football still plays a primary role in Marley’s everyday life and he hopes that this nightmare ends as soon as possible so he can get back to playing the game he loves.

“Not only do I miss the sport, but I miss the environment at training and on game day with all the playing group and staff.

“You can do as much training on your own as you want but some things just can’t be replaced like game day.”

To get you in the groove below is a sample of one of Marley’s latest works alongside good friend Jasper Rowden, something to keep you going during self-isolation times of need.

Here’s a mix Marley put together below, playing back to back to also get you in the mood, great for when you are doing your workout sessions 

In what’s been a shock to the system to everyone affected due to COVID-19 as everyday life has changed for all, National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s personalities such as Manly United’s Brendan Cholakian have remained positive by keeping fit and healthy.

With so many players in the NPL shaken up by losing jobs, Cholakian has been blessed that its been business as usual for him and his wife albeit at home.

“COVID-19 has obviously impacted so many people across the globe already.

“I honestly feel blessed that I am still able to work (Client Engagement Consultant for Complispace) from home  and I am in a better position than some others.

“The bit I am missing the most is football really.”

With football setting an April 14^th deadline across the nation, Cholakian has been busily training on his own ensuring whenever the next game commences, he’d be ready to go.

“Since football lockdown, I’ve just been trying to keep myself ticking over and staying fit.

“All the staff at Manly United have made this easier for us lads by putting together some personal programs to try and keep us working hard and maintaining the fitness levels we have built up so far.

“It’s always hard to maintain my usual fitness routine when gyms are closed and no team trainings, but I have just been trying to do what I can by going back to basics.

“Getting down to the park with a bag of balls and just working on technique and working on getting kilometres into the legs, trying to keep the ball involved as much as possible.

“It’s not easy, there is no better feeling than being competitive at training with teammates and playing games but this is just the situation at the moment.”

Having developed as a cult hero status at Cromer Park up at the Northern Beaches, Cholakian pleaded with the public to remain positive in these tough times ahead.

“My message would be to the NPL NSW football public to take this seriously.

“Yes it sucks not having NPL Football on each week but hopefully if we can lock this down quickly, it will mean we can get back out onto the pitch sooner rather than later.

“I just miss being with the lads at training, competing and working hard in training with them.

“The change rooms and the amount of banter we sling at each other, it’s something you can sometimes take for granted, but in situations like this, you realise your team are like your brothers..

“I also just miss match-day.

“There is no better feeling than walking out onto the pitch each weekend and going to battle for three points.

“Its something I desperately need in my life as I am keen to get back out there as soon as possible.”

Here here Brendan, we all feel your pain.

Cholakian has been busy hitting crossbars at his local park as shown below, something he hopes not to do when the games kick off once more with the ball hitting the back of the net.

After a stint with Western Sydney Wanderers, Marley Peterson has returned to Manly United and is eager to build on an exciting cameo which won his side their first three points of the season on Saturday night albeit after the temporary football lockout due to COVID-19.

The 21-year-old led the line for Paul Dee’s men during their first two outings this season, but his most decisive impact to date arrived as a super-sub against Sydney United 58 last weekend.

Shortly after being introduced, Peterson found himself in the right place at the right time to power home a header which broke the deadlock with five minutes to play.

The young attacker said the 2-0 win was well deserved following two unfortunate defeats to kick off 2020.

“I think we’ve been really unlucky in our past two games and should have got something out of them,” Peterson said.

“Obviously I played a few more minutes in those but I was just really happy to help the team win.

“Starting on the bench was more of a tactical thing, not exactly based on performance, but I am obviously still very happy that I was able to show I would still like to play as much as possible.”

Peterson broke into the Manly first grade side as a teenager back in early 2018 and impressed enough to earn a move out west, linking up with the Wanderers’ A-League academy.

There he had no troubles finding the back of the net for their National Premier Leagues 2 NSW side, but unfortunately did not quite manage to secure an A-League contract.

“I had a good two-year stint at the Wanderers but it didn’t work out in progressing into the A-League team,” he reflected.

“The Wanderers helped me develop so much, playing and training full time with the professional squad during the last four months I was there.”

Peterson barely had to think twice when a return to the Northern Beaches came calling ahead of the 2020 campaign.

“I saw it as a great opportunity to come back to my home club and play well this year with the first team,” he said.

“Coming back to semi-pro level it’s still a serious, great environment to continue progressing as a player.

“As a forward player I always want to score and hopefully I can replicate my form from last year to help the team win.”

Manly United’s 2019 campaign was highlighted by a run to the FFA Cup round of 16 that Peterson believes must act as inspiration for a tilt at finals football this season.

“I think we have to build on our success last year in the FFA Cup and bring that more into the league,” he enforced.

“Even though we haven’t had the best start we believe we can definitely push up there to challenge for finals and the championship.”

– By Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)