Sunshine Coast football team Nambour Yandina United on the verge of historic maiden first division title

From 2018 wooden spooners to 12 points above the rest, Nambour Yandina United are on the cusp of first division glory half a century in the making.

Nambour Yandina United captain Brendan Prickett and coach Kyle Nix have the club firing on all cylinders towards a maiden division 1 title. Picture: Matty Holdsworth

Nambour Yandina United are on the verge of a historic maiden first division title that’s been half a century in the making.

Never in the club’s 47-year history, which began as the Nambour Reds in 1974, has it tasted first division or grand final silverware.

NYU, a merger of Nambour Reds and Yandina Eagles in 1997, has lost finals in 1977, 2000 and twice in 2019 finished second.

But with a bye this weekend and four fixtures remaining in the Sunshine Coast Premier Men’s competition, United sit 12 points clear of Noosa, who have a game to catch up.

The players know they can build an insurmountable title lead with two wins from its final four fixtures against Buderim, Woombye, Kawana and Noosa.

“It’s four cup finals, they’re all grand finals for us,” coach Kyle Nix said.

“We’ve had a winning mentality all season which is what we’ve worked on from the first pre-season training in November.”

Should the club prevail in its quest, the spoils would come three seasons after the club was handed the wooden spoon in 2018.

Nambour Yandina United coach Kyle Nix and captain Brendan Prickett say their club’s loyal fanbase the Red Army has helped the team to the summit of Coast football. Picture: Matty Holdsworth

From spooners to potential premiers

“Personally for me it’s been a process, even in the tough moments I believed,” midfielder and technical director Korey Nix said.

“That wooden spoon season was tough, but more because it didn’t reflect our performances.

“I always believed we would come good.”

The spoon was followed by the twin runners up finish and then a third placed finish in 2020’s league-only season.

Nix rejoined the club this season as coach after three years at Gympie.

With Nix came evergreen striker Adam Cross, who bagged nine goals in 10 games at age 37.

Marco Fichtner came across from Beerwah Glasshouse while Jake Towle and Nick Scarff also rejoined after a season at Maroochydore.

One of NYU's talented youngsters Dominic Muche-Williams.

Nix said he found a balance with a squad packed with teenagers and experienced players.

“It was a great foundation to join, the lads who stayed around and the guys we brought in, it’s great,” Nix said.

He said his core players had given confidence to the rest of the team.

“We’ve shown it in our reserves too who are flying,” he said.

“They’ve kept nine clean sheets and conceded eight goals after finishing second bottom last year.”

With improved confidence has come a strong culture which had been lacking in previous campaigns.

The club has lost just one game in 2021, a 3-1 away defeat to Buderim.

NYU young gun Michael Harth

“The culture fell away a bit but it really came back when we made the final, this year it’s a massive family again,” captain and goalkeeper Prickett said.

“We’ve never been as connected or as tight knit,” Korey Nix said.

“The unity we have has played a massive part.”

Avenging the grand final sorrows

Yandina’s last shot at silverware ended in heartbreak as Kawana stole the show in a clinical 4-0 win at the Reds home turf.

It was made worse after NYU had put on a match day street parade and a sea of red packed into the grandstand.

“That grand final was a sea of red, it was just pumping,” Prickett said.

Kawana however, silenced United’s Red Army.

“It was everything to us and such a bitter pill to swallow,” Korey Nix said.

He said a title would reward the club’s patience through hard times.

“The old guys paved the way and it’s special that so many are around,” he said.

Prickett said the Red Army were the best fans in the competition and the club owed them.

Nambour Yandina United captain Brendan Prickett and coach Kyle Nix say the Red Army has helped the club to the summit of Coast football. Picture: Matty Holdsworth

“They just keep getting better and better and louder,” Prickett said.

“I’ve been here since I was 15 and only played one grand final.

“It would be massive not only for myself but for everyone in the area. Just massive.

But his team’s final four games are no pushovers.

Buderim, Woombye, Kawana and Noosa are all vying for top four positions.

Noosa are the competition’s reigning premiers.

The Nix duo and Prickett insist they aren’t celebrating early.

“It’s not done, we have four of the top teams to go, there might be a twist to come,” Kyle Nix said.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast football team Nambour Yandina United on the verge of historic maiden first division title