NPL 1 newcomers Murray United have appointed former Cobram Victory, Shepparton SC and Twin City Wanderers boss Matt Gray as their inaugural manager.
Gray – whose playing career boasts stints at Chelsea and Fulham youth, as well as English conference sides Sutton United, Woking FC and Kingstonian – added managerial success to his CV as he lead Cobram to the Golburn North-East Football Association premiership in 2012
This year, he lead the Twin City Wanderers to a first place finish in the Albury Wodonga First Division, topping the table by 10 points before eventually finishing runners up in the Grand Final.
The new NPL 1 manager told Murray United that playing under the management of ex-Scotland international Frank Gray helped his coaching develop.
“Frank was fantastic to learn from, his training regimes, his professionalism, people management skills and most of all his training techniques,” he said.
Gray – of the Matt variety – is confident his experience coaching and playing in the local leagues will be invaluable in kick-starting Murray United, and he believes they have what it takes to be successful in the NPL 1.
He has also sounded out a focus on youth development as a major goal under his stewardship.
“I believe from [my experience in] this league, a tremendous team – which can achieve things – can be put together,” he said.
“I’ll work very closely with the U/20’s coach in integrating players that are progressing at that level into the senior setup.”
He is currently the holder of a FFA/AFC C-License, but will undertake his B-Licence next month ahead of United’s debut season in the NPL system next year.