Image: Sonia Licciardi
Box Hill United have secured the services of former Bulleen defender Lewis Waddell as replacement for departing skipper Michael Godfrey, while also re-signing five promising youngsters.
22-year-old Waddell moves to Wembley Park from Werribee City, after joining the Bees mid-way through last season from the Lions, for whom he made his senior debut for in 2012.
The defender spent the next four years of his career at David Barro Stadium, helping the club earn promotion to the top-flight in 2015 under Dominic Barba.
He made 5 appearances for the newly promoted side in the NPL last term, which included a goal against Heidelberg, before electing to move to Galvin Park mid-campaign after over 50 appearances for the club, which also included time spent playing under dad John, who was his manager in 2013.
However his time at Werribee was restricted to just one appearance as injury sidelined him for the rest of the year before deciding to join United with the move made official today.
Box Hill Head Coach Greg Kassidas described his new signing as a “tall, strong and mobile centre back with leadership qualities” via press release.
His signing is a welcome boost for the club who cut ties with former captain Michael Godfrey on the weekend after two years of service for Pythagoras.
The strong central defender made a total of 50 league appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals after joining from State League One outfit Manningham United in early 2015.
Club President Alex Palmos thanked Godfrey for his leadership and junior involvement via press release, stating “for the past two years Box Hill United has had the pleasure of having Michael Godfrey play for our club, but more importantly captain our senior men and with that show tremendous leadership in and around our proud club”.
“Michael has, with a heavy heart, chosen to leave our club and we have respectfully accepted his departure,” Palmos noted.
“Personally I couldn’t be prouder of our skipper. His leadership and ability to not only rally the senior boys to play to their best potential, but also involve and embrace our juniors has been much appreciated.”
While Godfrey departs Box Hill, the club has managed to secure the services of five youngsters who made substantial progress in 2016 while also helping the 20s side win the NPL2 East Championship with Jack Gow, Thomas Simos, Lorenzo Tarzia, Steve Hrgota and Chris Heckenberg re-committing for 2017.
Versatile midfielder Gow made his senior debut in 2015 and played a part in 18 games this season, taking him up to a total of 25 league appearances for the club.
Tall defender Simos began the year as 20s captain but has been elevated to the senior squad having made 16 appearances, and scoring two goals.
Forwards Tarzia and Hrgota made their debuts in 2015 but earned greater playing time in 2016, with Hrgota scoring an injury time equaliser against Goulburn away.
Midfielder Heckenberg made his debut this term and ended up the year with a total of 9 senior games under his belt with all five youngsters seeking to continue their development next season.
Waddell and the five re-signings join returning left-back Ollie Paterno and 2016 squad members Keegan Coulter, Thomas Lakic, Caleb Ludlow and Alex Schroen as Box Hill’s confirmed players for the upcoming campaign.