Heatherton Utd-BH Centar

We have achieved our goal!

After 22 rounds, recording 5 wins, 5 draws and 12 losses, Heatherton United finished the 2016 season in the tenth place, which means the club will remain in the current league and compete in the FFV State 2 South East next year.

Coach Goran Runje, in his third consecutive season at Heatherton, admits it was the most difficult year during his tenure.

“The goal for the year was to stay in the league, which was always going to be difficult as we had players coming on the last week of pre season and starting in the first game. I thought that the squad we finally got together would do OK, but take about 6 or 7 games to get up to speed fitness wise, which culminated in a great win away to Doveton.

Then we started losing players for various reasons and only finished with 4 players who started the season. Overall, we ended up using 35 players for the season. With all these obstacles and various other problems we managed to stay in the league which is what we set out to do. So well done to the boys and the club for achieving what we did.

The club can look forward to a more productive year in 2017. And for those players, committee and supported me in our efforts I thank you”.

This year’s captain, Yusuf Kusdian, playing his fifth season at Heatherton, shared his views.

“It has been a tough year for Heatherton United with many ups and downs throughout the season with the team losing and gaining players which affected the consistency of performance. A realistic goal was made from the start of pre-season and successfully achieved by the end of the season.

The final game of the season showed the true spirit of the team where they denied Old Scotch the chance for promotion. A game that surely seemed lost from the start proved to be a difficult game for the opposition. The players showed the traditional fighting spirit of Heatherton United which was a fantastic end to a difficult season.

A large thank you to the committee, players and coaches for their roles in helping achieving our goal.”

Reserves collected 23 points and took the ninth spot on the ladder.

More images from the game can be viewed in Photo-Gallery.