TAMWORTH FC celebrated a 3-2 win over arch rivals Oxley Vale Attunga at the Family Hotel on Saturday night where coach Wayne May said the sky blues had more than just a third straight NIF Premier League first grade premiership as a goal.
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“We want to win a third straight club championship,” May said.
“That’s one of our main aims. Try to replicate what the North Armidale sides did a few years ago.”
That Tamworth FC is thinking of that isn’t arrogant.
Its all about trying to improve and be better, on and off the field.
Darren MacKenzie nodded in agreement.
He’s not just an assistant coach to May but also a sponsor, fellow club founder and club vice president.
All rolled into one.
That Tamworth FC is leading the Southern Conference is largely due to the input of May, MacKenzie and quiet achiever Darryl Smith, a dab hand with the water bottle.
They all originate from Hillvue Rovers, a successful Tamworth football club run by legendary Alf Small and they learned plenty from him before launching Tamworth FC.
Learning how to put together sides has been one of their fortes.
This year’s side is quite different to the one that has won the past two PL premierships.
Players such as Kelly Nystrom, Michael Roberts and Bart Twyford have all joined.
What looked to be a bare “football cupboard” early on is blooming although FC is struggling with numbers all the same.
“We only had 21 today,” May said as the side celebrated its local derby win.
“It’s a good squad though.
“They play for each other.
“It’s a credit to these guys they are where they are.”
Not only is the first grade side leading the Southern Conference but the second grade side is way out in front in the Southern Conference’s second grade premiership race.
“We’ve been lucky to get the same team on the park two weeks in a row,” May added.
“Winning the local derby was good.
“It was a real dogfight played in the middle of the park.”
While Troy Osborne won the plaudits from May for his goalkeeping efforts, his English import, Michael Roberts, continues to shine and scored again.
The burly Roberts has fitted in brilliantly for FC as has big centre back Kelly Nystrom.
Kurt Barrow is another big body excelling – his header was the winner on Saturday.
May said this Saturday’s home game against East Armidale would be another test but also “another club effort”.