Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

Western Pride have confirmed the return of five further players from their 2014 squad for next year’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland campaign.

Devon Munn, Jay Kitching, Chris Scott, Daniel Kleinhans and Cameron Kleinhans will join the already confirmed Lincoln Rule and Peter Drager in the team for next season.

Pride head coach Karl Dodd said he was looking to forge a more competitive Pride outfit and the signings were part of his plan to play more dynamic and intelligent football.

“I think these are the players that have the ability to stay in the NPL and perhaps go on” Dodd said.

Dodd added that the players ties to the greater Ipswich area figured prominently in his decision-making process in line with Pride’s desire to forge a pathway for local talent in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland competition.

“I want the Pride to be made up in the majority by local players - that’s very important,” he said.

Dodd identified defender Munn, 24, as a one player in particular that can take his game to the next level in 2015 after making 27 senior appearances in Pride’s first two campaigns.

“Devon has been placed in the leadership group, so he’s got a big role to step up and has to offer a lot more,” Dodd explained.

“But I’m looking for all of them to step up. I want an extremely competitive squad where there are two players for each spot and they are all breathing down each other’s neck.”

Midfielder Kitching, 21, is a former Western Spirit and Ipswich Knights player and has been a constant in Pride match day squad’s for the past two seasons.

Daniel Kleinhans made eight appearances for the senior team in 2014, while his cousin Cameron Kleinhans appeared three times and netted a brace against Premiers Palm Beach SC.

Both Kleinhans were regulars in Pride’s Youth Men’s and Under 18’s teams in the first two seasons of PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Dodd also confirmed that last year’s captain Will Jordan will not be part of Pride in 2015 after being unable to meet the training requirements in addition to completing his tertiary studies.

"Will was signed but unfortuately he is still finishing his physiotherapy degree and is completing research work so he had to pull out because he couldn't commit," Dodd explained.

Dodd added the instensity of the training set-up will give his players an understanding of what's required to move to the Hyundai A-League and beyond.

“I am demanding three nights a week training and it separates those that can commit and those who can’t straight away but even three nights a week isn’t really enough to make it as a professional,” he said.

Dodd further indicated it remains up to the remaining players in the leadership group to demonstrate they are worthy of inheriting the Pride's captain armband in 2015.