Blacktown City on track for record season as new coach Giancarlo Maisano finds success in first season

IT seems Giancarlo Maisano has the magic touch.

Blacktown City FC took out the National Premier Leagues NSW Premiership after finishing on top of the table this season.

IT seems Giancarlo Maisano has the magic touch.

Maisano has led the Seven Hills-based Blacktown City to premierships in the NSW Premier League’s Grade 20s and Grade 18s competitions in his first season as head of football at Blacktown City Football Club.

Despite the incredible year at Lily’s Football Centre, Blacktown City refuses to rest on its laurels.

“In terms of results, I don’t think I could have asked for a better season,” Maisano said.

“We’ve finished first in all the senior grades besides the under-16s who themselves were very unlucky not to make the semis (last month), so I’m very happy with the results.

Blacktown City FC took out the National Premier Leagues NSW Premiership after finishing on top of the table this season.

“In terms of the first grade, I think Mark (Crittenden) has done a very good job, particularly given the loss of some very significant players last year, but he’s gone and recruited very well.’’

Maisano said the success of the first grade team was particularly sweet given the contribution of a number of the club’s former juniors, notably Patrick Antelmi, Zach Cairncross and Matt Lewis who have all returned to the club after pursuing careers in the game.

“Antelmi was unlucky at some big clubs like Leeds and Portsmouth overseas, but he’s come back and contributed to his junior club and that’s what we love to see,’’ Maisano said.

Mitchell Mallia in full flight for Blacktown City against Blacktown Spartans

Maisano said his role in the success was simply making sure coaches and players were happy and all teams within the club were pulling in the same direction.

“Blacktown has a very proud tradition of success in terms of results and there have been plenty of good players involved in that, but now we’d like to go beyond that. We want to have a clear development policy that comes through with even better coaching, more opportunities for players that come through the grades to the seniors and really looking to make this club as close to a professional one as we can.”

He said the introduction of A-League clubs into the Premier League allowed extra competition and “the best alternative to going directly to those A-League clubs who can offer professional opportunities”.

“Blacktown City is a great club, with great people involved and, as an outsider coming into the club this year, I’ve been so happy with how the board interacts with everyone,” Maisano said.

“The boys have dinner at Lily’s after every home game regardless of the results. That’s a culture thing we want to continue to build on into the future.

“A strong board is very important in contributing to that and to building on that in the long term picture.”