Murray United FC
 |
|
| Full name | Murray United Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Ground | La Trobe University Wodonga Lavington Sports Ground, 20,000 |
| Chairman | Mark Byatt |
| Coach |
 James Coutts
|
| League | NPL2 East |
| Website | Club home page |
Murray United FC is an Australian soccer club encapsulating NSW's Riverina and North East Victoria. The club is based in Albury/Wodonga and competes in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. The club plays its home matches at La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga Campus located in Wodonga.
In early 2014, it was announced that an application had been submitted to Football Federation Victoria for a side under the name Border FC. The club was officially launched on 27 May 2014, as part of Australia's new look second tier of soccer, but under the name Murray United FC. The change of name was to capture all things synonymous with the region. Murray United FC will promote opportunities for those wanting to play elite soccer from the local competition, the Albury Wodonga Football Association (AWFA), and will begin in the second tier of the NPL, the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2.
La Trobe University and Wodonga TAFE are the team's foundation sponsors.
On 29 September 2014, former Woking FC player & player/coach of local side Twin City Wanderer's FC, Matt Gray, was appointed head coach for the inaugural year. This was short lived however, with the region's gun player realising the demands of coaching & playing was too much, resigning in late December. He was replaced by dual code premiership coach Mick Richards, who won flags in the local AFL and soccer competitions.
On 31 October 2014, Murray United FC played their first match against external opposition, defeating Cobram Roar FC, a combined team of Cobram SC & Cobram Victory looking to participate in the AWFA next season. The final score was 7–0 to Murray United FC and was the last chance for players to impress before the 2015 squad announcement.
In a restructuring ahead of the 2015 season, the NPL2 division was divided into two parallel conferences with Murray United competing in the Eastern Conference.
Murray United played their first ever official game on 21 February 2015, going down by 3–2 at La Trobe University to Box Hill United SC. Adam Waters and Zac Walker grabbed the goals. The club's first NPL2 point came the following week, drawing 1–1 with Springvale White Eagles FC at home. The club grabbed its first win of the season in Round 4 against Nunawading City FC, winning 2–1 through James Coutts and Zac Walker goals. The club entered a tumultuous period, losing five games in a row, including a 9–1 drubbing at the hands of Melbourne Victory FC Youth in Round 10. Late in the year, head manager Mick Richards resigned from his position, stating the toll on his family and business commitments as the primary reason. Murray United ended the season with 6 wins, 4 draws and 18 losses, finishing in 8th place in the NPL2 East division and 17th overall.
...
Wikipedia