South Adelaide Panthers sign Liam Wooding from MetroStars for 2019 SA NPL season
Sergio Melta medallist Liam Wooding says driving South Adelaide from Premier League survivalist to trophy contender is behind his homecoming to the Panthers.
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Sergio Melta medallist Liam Wooding says driving South Adelaide from Premier League survivalist to trophy contender is behind his homecoming to the Panthers.
The star attacking midfielder, who signed a three-year deal at the club in September, joins after four seasons at perennial top-flight contenders MetroStars.
Wooding played three seasons as a junior at South from 2004-2006 before moving to the SA Sports Institute for two years followed by signing with Adelaide United’s Youth Team.
The 25-year-old Seaford Heights native says returning to Panther Park is about more than just a homecoming.
“It’s good to be back where I started, for sure,” Wooding says.
“Playing juniors at South was a really good springboard and got me started to go on and play at a higher level.
“I’m looking forward to giving back to the club which got me started.
“I had four or five great years at MetroStars but have always lived down south. I spoke to Ben Dale and he explained where the club was moving and it appealed to me.
“It’s not just a matter of staying up – they want to be a top six side in the competition and pushing for silverware.”
The two-time MetroStars club champion and 2017 Sergio Melta medallist joins the Panthers with a strong resume.
He spent three years in the Adelaide United set up, his sole A-League appearance coming against Melbourne Heart in the final game of the 2011/12 season.
Wooding trialled at New Zealand club Wellington Phoenix in June last year before returning to finish the season at Metro, helping the Klemzig club to a second-placed finish and preliminary final appearance.
He also trialled and trained with the reserves at English Premier League club Newcastle United in 2010 but fell short of landing a contract.
South finished ninth on the ladder in 2018 on its return to the Premier League.
The Panthers have also signed former Adelaide United youth midfielder Doni Pollock for 2019 and have re-signed defender Rob Parker, Michael Goode and goalkeeper Costa Zacharopoulos.
DALE WANTS PANTHERS TO CONTEND
Adelaide left the threat of Premier League relegation in the rearview mirror last season and now has its sights set on bigger things, according to coach Ben Dale.
The Panthers’ 2019 campaign has been buoyed by the key signing of Liam Wooding and a new artificial pitch at its O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex home.
Dale acknowledged the club has much do but said the progress on and off the field would allow South to move beyond making up the numbers in the top flight.
“Liam has signed on a three-year deal and we hope by the end of those three years we are challenging for a trophy,” Dale said.
“We are a little bit behind other NPL clubs, but now it’s an opportunity to start fresh and restart in a way with the new pitch, new facilities and new players.
“We’re the only southern club in the NPL so we want to be the benchmark for soccer in the south – something that kids can aspire to.”
The Panthers finished ninth on the ladder last season, avoiding the drop by just two points despite losing four of their final five matches.
South kicks its season off on Saturday, February 3 with a night clash against Adelaide Olympic at the Parks.
patrick.keam@news.com.au
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