Hume City bolsters attack as it looks to make premiership challenge
Looking to build on a historic 2019 season, Hume City has added more firepower to its squad as it looks to replicate last season’s FFA Cup run and challenge for a maiden NPL premiership.
Local Sport
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Hume City coach Nick Hegarty will have no shortage of attacking weapons at his disposal in 2020.
Already boasting former A-League striker James Brown, Vanuatu international Mitch Cooper and young gun Marko Delic, City has added another two former A-League talents to its roster as it looks to challenge for a maiden NPL premiership.
Beanpole striker Josh Bingham has returned to Australia from a stint with English club Eastbourne Borough.
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The 191cm striker played nine games for Eastborne after leaving Central Coast Mariners, where he scored four goals in 36 appearances.
Former Newcastle Jets winger and NPL premiership winner Andrew Brennan has crossed from rival Green Gully, adding more speed on City’s flanks.
Hegarty said improved squad depth would be critical as the club looks to build on last season’s FFA Cup quarter-final run, historic Dockerty Cup win and NPL elimination final appearance.
“We’ve added a couple more attacking options to the squad, so there’s spots to fight for and gives us some really good depth,” he said.
“We had a period last year when we were low on numbers and it’s important to have a squad that can manage the loads of the season.
“We’ve got a 20-man squad this year – we had 18 last year – we’ve got some experience and some really good talent coming through.”
George Howard is the only major departure from 2019.
City has enjoyed a positive pre-season with friendly wins over Green Gully, Moreland City, Brisbane Strikers and Broadbeach FC.
In its final pre-season hitout, the club lost the Community Shield to NPL premier Bentleigh Greens on Saturday.
After an impressive 2019 campaign, expectations are high at Broadmeadows Valley Park, but Hegarty said there was plenty of work to do before the team could start thinking about finals.
“We’d love to be up and challenge (for a premiership), but we’ve got to prove that we’re good enough first,” he said.
“Based on last year, there are five teams we’ve got to prove we’re better than and there’ll obviously be teams below us trying to do the same.
“The club’s in a nice spot and we’re looking forward to showcasing what we’ve been doing over the summer.”
Hume City will start its 2020 NPL campaign against Altona Magic on Saturday, February 15.