Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/SWQ Thunder FC

SWQ Thunder have announced captain Keagan Sheridan and top goal scorer Thomas Fanning will again play for the club in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2016.

The duo are the first retentions from last year’s squad by new Thunder coach Chris McLeod as he seeks to reform the club into a more competitive force ahead of their third season in Queensland’s elite club competition.

Defender Sheridan,20, was named the club’s Most Valuable Player for the 2015 campaign in his first season as captain of the club, making 18 appearances and scoring twice in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Midfielder Fanning, 21, stormed to the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring chart with five goals in 19 appearances - earning recognition as joint winner of the team’s Player’s Player award.

Sheridan said he was excited by the promise of a stronger Thunder side under McLeod’s stewardship, which will involve improving the alignment in team structure across the senior men, youth men and Under 18 teams.

“Chris sat me down a couple of weeks ago and the vision he has for the club is something I want to be involved in for the long term,” Sheridan explained.

"The teams will play the same system, which is a Brazilian system and seem really good based on the way he explained it. I'm really excited about that."

He added that the feeling around Toowoomba suggested a genuine interest about the vision of Thunder in the off-season.

“There is a lot of kids coming up and saying they are excited about what is in store for next year.”

“I think the community is starting to get behind us a lot more. Chris is very well known and will hopefully help us get a lot of sponsorship and more exposure for the team.”

Sheridan said he would honoured to again wear the armband for Thunder next season if called upon but stressed that his priority remains securing greater success for the team.

“Chris has indicated he would like me to be captain again, but it’s really up to him and if he changes his mind then that is fine. I’m still learning but it’s definitely an experience I enjoyed last year.”

He said despite gaining recognition for his personal performances in 2015 the priority remains ensuring that Thunder can begin to reap returns on the pitch.

“Individual success comes when the team is successful - we are focused on just getting wins next year and what comes outside of that we will wait and see,” Sheridan concluded.