Manningham United coach George Karkaletsis’ ambition in maiden NPL Victoria season

Manningham United isn’t going to sit back and be a walkover in its first NPL season. The Blues have some lofty ambitions and strong recruits for 2024.

Manningham United will play NPL for the first time.

Manningham United isn’t looking to simply survive in its maiden NPL Victoria season.

The Blues are looking to thrive and have set some lofty ambitions for their history-making year.

It has been a rapid rise for the club, which came together in 2014 when Manningham United merged with Fawkner Blues.

Manningham earnt promotion to the top-flight with a second-placed finish in VPL1 last year and will look to continue that momentum in 2024.

Coach George Karkaletsis said there was no reason the Blues couldn’t achieve something special.

“We’re a young club and to be playing NPL football this season is really exciting for everyone involved,” he said.

“Coming off last season, where we didn’t really set out to win the thing to be honest, we thought we’d try to get in the top four and then have a go and that’s what happened.

“It’s really important that we stay in the league now and not just consolidate, we want to try and play finals football.

“I know it sounds a little bit pie in the sky but we’re serious about it.

“We don’t want to be cellar-dwellers and waiting on other results to go our way every week, we want to be in the top-six.”

Manningham has brought in several new faces to bolster its squad for the step up.

Altona Magic trio Rob Harding, Alex Castiello and Zayne Ahluwalia, along with Chris Theodorakopoulos (Bentleigh), Tom Golding (Eastern Lions), Marco Tavella (Northcote City), Nathan Dib (Preston) and youngster Rhys Dufton (Melbourne City) have all been announced.

Karkaletsis also confirmed the capture of Northcote City best-and-fairest Giannis Georgopoulos.

“The most recent signing was Giannis Georgopoulos, Northcote City’s best-and-fairest and Players’ Player, he had an outstanding season,” Karkaletsis said.

“I think there was a falling out there and one phone call and one meeting later he’s a Manningham player, so that’s a really good pick up for us.”

The Blues finished the season unbeaten in 11 of its final 12 matches last season.

Mid-season signing Ben Everson proved one of the recruits of the year as he scored an incredible 11 goals in eight appearances and – combined with four goals for Preston Lions – finished second in the league goalscoring.

Jose Ramirez wasn’t far behind with nine goals.

Stepping up, Manningham will receive a baptism of fire with a Round 1 clash against heavyweight Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve.

Karkaletsis said it would be a huge challenge but one the club was looking forward to.

“I heard they had a big win over Northcote (in a friendly) and looking strong as usual,” he said.

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“It’s going to be a tough game but we’ll go there and play our game.

“We’re not going to fear many teams, I think we play a really good brand of football and we showed that in 2023.

“We’ve got a particular style and philosophy that we stick to and I don’t think we’re going to move away from that too much in 2024.”

After opening the season on the road, Manningham will return to Pettys Reserve on February 17 for a Round 2 clash against Dandenong Thunder.