By Tara Murray
John Mangos has been given the role of leading Keilor Park’s senior football team’s return to the Essendon District Football League.
After not fielding a seniors or reserves team last season, the Devils have been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes to get the program up and going again.
Last week, they announced Mangos as senior coach.
Mangos, who didn’t coach anywhere this year, has long been involved in the EDFL having coached at Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong Park and Pascoe Vale.
Like everyone else at the Devils, Mangos is excited by what is happening at the club.
“My last few years I’ve got gigs in the EDFL,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to get a foot in the door and show what I’m worth.
“I’ve looked at Keilor Park a while ago and had a look at how much work I would need to put in.
“I’m person who builds sides and knows how to build sides from scratch. Hopefully this isn’t a one year thing, I want to be here for quite a while.”
Mangos said they were in the process of getting together a playing group.
Former coach Marcus Barclay is doing a lot of working behind the scenes getting in touch with former players and trying to get them to return.
Without properly looking the numbers, Mangos said they had about 15 senior players at this point.
“We’ll end up having enough for a side of 22 blokes,” he said.
“I’d love to have 30 and I know people from other clubs that I’m trying to bring across.
“It would be great to have two sides. Reserves will come down to numbers.”
Mangos said he wouldn’t just focus on the senior side, but the club as a whole, with the juniors and women’s sides making massive inroads in the last few years.
He said he would look to attend at least one training session of every side, while there would be a big focus on the seniors, under-17s and under-19s working together.
Matt Wilson has been named the under-19 coach and development manager and will work closely with Mangos.
The club is putting a lot of resources into the under-17s and under-19s, knowing they are the future of the club.
Mangos said he’s not afraid to give the younger guys an opportunity and would look to have at least two under-19s in the side each week.
“If these kids can play footy in high level under-19s, they’re good enough to play division 2 senior football.”
Mangos said every in the club was headed in the same direction.
Preseason training starts on November 14.
Anyone interested in playing can contact John on 0433 822 320 or email the club at info@keilorparkfc.com.au.
MORE EDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/sunbury-kangaroos-are-officially-on-the-move/
