Football West News

It was a successful first season in the NPLWA for Joondalup United, but coach Nick Jennings will be hoping for an improvement from their 10th place position last season.
 
Jennings was not impressed with his side's fade towards the end of 2017.

“To be honest I have very high standards and was disappointed with the season as a whole," he said.

"In the main we hovered around the top six but in the end we weren’t good enough and fell away in the latter stages."
 
“Having said that we never took a backward step and it was great to upset some of these big established sides and put the name of Joondalup United well and truly on the map.”
 
While United have had a big turnover of players in the pre-season, Jennings said the club’s spirit has pushed them through it. 
 
“We’ve worked hard on maintaining the special JUFC spirit and the new boys have bought into this special club, working extremely hard on the training track," he said.
 
“We are lucky to have a number of highly talented young players at the club, but Elliot Tattersall who we’ve brought in from Perth SC has a wand of a left foot and great technical ability.
 
“He’s determined to make a real impact at the senior level after getting only limited opportunities with Perth and I believe he will be a star.”
 
Former Scunthorpe United and Brighton midfielder Matthew Sparrow will be skipper in 2018 and Jennings said his leadership will be vital for his young side.
 
“Matty brings so much to the playing group, having amassed over 500 professional appearances in a 16 year career,” he said.
 
“His experiences will be instrumental in the development of all our young boys who are all hungry to learn and develop.  He is still super fit and just loves playing football, never missing a training session. He is a winner.”
 
Joondalup United will begin their NPLWA season with a trip to Alfred Skeet Reserve to take on Armadale on Saturday, February 24, with a 5.00pm kick-off.