David Chick discusses task to rebuilding fallen NPL Victoria giant Bentleigh Greens

David Chick has been tasked with rebuilding fallen giant Bentleigh Greens, he discusses his plans and recruiting moves for 2024.

David Chick during his stint at Dandenong Thunder.

How do you rebuild a fallen giant?

Bentleigh Greens is one of the biggest clubs in NPL Victoria with three championships in the past seven seasons, three Dockerty Cup titles and four Community Shields.

However, the club finds itself preparing for a VPL1 season in 2024 after suffering a shock relegation this year.

Experienced manager David Chick has been tasked with lifting the Greens back to the top flight, hopefully at the first time of asking.

“That’s definitely the aim,” Chick said.

“They’ve had a rough patch and unfortunately this year they got relegated, which hurts – especially when you’ve won things and you’re a poster boy for the league.”

Bentleigh was Chick’s last stop as a player, signing to play under new Heidelberg United coach John Anastasiadis before a knee injury prematurely ended his career.

He takes the reins at Kingston Heath from Riccardo Marchioli, who couldn’t save the club from the drop after coming in mid-season.

Chick hopes his return as a coach has a bigger impact.

“Going there is a good opportunity for myself and the staff that came with us, to work at a club that’s got so much history and some really good people,” Chick said.

“We’ve got an opportunity to do something quite special and get them back to where most people think they belong.

“It’s a big task but I’m refreshed and ready to go and looking forward to it.

“When we first spoke to them about the job, our ambition was to work in NPL1 – the highest level we can work in – and that means we need to get promoted.

Chris Droutsas in action for Bentleigh Greens. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“I believe the club has the infrastructure to go and do that.

“I think we can attract the right players, we think if we can work hard and – you need a little bit of luck sometimes – but if we do the right things we’ll be in the running to get promoted.”

Chick has made a strong start to his tenure on the recruiting market.

Kieran Dover, Luke Pavlou, Deniz Yildiz and Jay Davies have followed him from Dandenong Thunder.

Swedish striker Anton Kinnander has signed from Melbourne Knights, goalkeeper Andy Withers has crossed from Port Melbourne and Perry Lambropoulos is on board from South Melbourne.

Critically, key Greens Scott Hilliar, Christian Cavallo, Chris Droutsas and Mitch Rooke have recommitted

Bon Scott and Daniel Lucente have departed.

The new coach believes it’s a squad that could compete in the top-flight.

“We’ve put together a squad that I believe can compete in the level above, so you’d like to think that means we can do well in the level we’re at,” Chick said.

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“There’s a lot of work to do, the style of football is a rebuild, getting the players to gel, putting in new tactics with new coaches and having a good pre-season, getting the physical requirements done.

“When you go down and now with this B-League situation, it’s quite complex by the sounds of it, players are waiting to see what will happen.

“We’ve been quite lucky, the club having such a good reputation, the way it conducts itself and having a nice facility, that ticks some boxes for players.

“I’d like to think from a coaching point of view we play a style of football that attracts certain players as well.”