For the first time in club history, Manningham United will play NPL in 2024

Manningham United is going up. For the first time in club history, the Blues will play NPL in 2024 after securing promotion on a stunning final day.

Manningham United win promotion to NPL.

Manningham United is going up.

For the first time in club history, the Blues will play NPL football in 2024 after clinching a promotion on a dramatic final day of the NPL2 season.

A 3-1 win over Australia Cup high-flyers Northcote City, coupled with Western United’s stunning 3-1 capitulation to Bulleen Lions, saw the Blues jump into second and earn a history-making place in the top flight.

It was the second time Bulleen played a critical role in Manningham United’s season.

A 5-0 thrashing from their neighbouring rivals in Round 14 sparked the Blues into action and they lost just one game for the rest of the season.

President Nick Raptopoulos said it was well beyond the club’s pre-season ambitions.

“It’s fantastic, I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise but it’s a very tough league with the likes of the Brunswick teams, Preston Lions and the like,” he said.

“We were quietly hoping for a mid-table (finish) but we failed in our objective, which is great.

“We had a real shocker against our cross-suburb rival in Bulleen, they put five past us when they were like last on the table and that was a real wake-up call.

“We had the least amount of losses in the competition to, we had a lot of draws, which proved critical.”

The promotion caps off a season that also saw the club’s senior women claim the State League 3 East title and earn promotion.

United lost just six matches for the season, one fewer than premier Dandenong City, and critically, three fewer than Western United, which won one more game.

The other major factor in the Blues rise, the arrival of striker Ben Everson in June.

Crossing from NPL2 rival Brunswick Juventus, Everson debuted in a goalless draw with Dandenong City before becoming a dominant force.

In eight matches he scored 11 goals – including four against Langwarrin and a hat-trick against Kingston City – to finish second in the goalscoring race.

“Ben’s been brilliant … he’s been a great get, we couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t being played where he was, but he came and fitted in with the culture straight away,” Raptopoulos said.

“The coach and football department noticed he wasn’t being utilised, we asked if he was interested in coming across and thankfully for us, he was.”

Everson scored in the decisive win over Northcote, while fellow mid-season addition James Tountas bagged a brace.

Jose Ramirez finished with nine goals for the season.

Goalkeeper George Tzamouranis was one of three players to feature in all 26 matches.

Returning to the club from Melbourne Knights and Northcote City, Fuki Ishibashi and fellow off-season addition Seb Hernando (Brisbane Strikers) were constants throughout the season.

Raptopoulos paid tribute to coach George Karkaletsis and his ability to bring his squad and club together.

“George has been unbelievable, he’s been a really good fit for our club,” Raptopoulos said.

“He had an opportunity to leave last year, a few clubs came for him, but he realised he had something special at our club and chose to stay and I’m sure he’s glad he did.

“For a club with a strong community identity, it’s important we don’t get just any coach and not only does George fit our culture but he also takes an interest in all levels of our club.”

Stepping up to NPL next season is an extraordinary achievement for a club just 24 years old.

Founded as a junior club in 1999, Manningham was playing State League 5 in 2013 before merging with Fawkner Blues in 2014.

The new club would play State League 1 in 2015 and win its first premiership in 2018, earning it a place in the NPL system for the first time.

The Blues finished eighth in 2022 and face a massive challenge next season against the biggest clubs in the state.

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“It’s only a 24-year-old club, next year is our 25th year,” Raptopoulos said.

“When you look at the likes of Northcote that’s been around for 50 years, Preston that is 70-odd years and Bulleen has been around a long time.

“Our senior women also won the title, they’ll get promoted to State 2 and possibly State 1, Paul McCarthy took over this year and did a big overhaul and he’s got them purring.

“We’re excited for next season and we’re on the look out for more sponsors, so if anyone wants to be part of our journey, please reach out.”