South Coast United set for McLennan Park homecoming
South Coast United make their long-awaited return to Ian McLennan Park this evening when they take on Fernhill in round two of the Illawarra Premier League.
United have played away from their spiritual home ground since May of last year as the facility received various upgrades including the installation of the Illawarra region’s first full-sized synthetic football pitch.
South Coast player-coach Greg Valic has spent more time at the venue than most and he struggled to contain his excitement when walking on to the new ground for the first time.
“Everything looks great from the surface of the pitch, the lighting to the grandstand, it looks incredible,” he said.
“It was tough to be away, but I am glad we’re back and happy that not only the senior boys but also the juniors within the club get an opportunity to play on a facility like this.”
Valic is hopeful playing and training on the new pitch will give his side the upper hand against teams unfamiliar with the qwerks of artificial turf.
“I think playing and training on it consistently lends to use having a natural advantage,” he said.
“Teams will have to come here and adapt to the conditions and adapt to the surface which we will know much better than they will.”
The return to Ian McLennan Park coincides with the return of regular night time football at the venue with United’s home matches this season scheduled to kick off at 6.30pm.
“We used to have night games back when I was a lot younger and I have always looked forward to playing under lights in front of a good crowd,” Valic said.
“There is something special about night games, it just feels different so I am defiantly looking forward to the to the new kick off time.”
