New Albion Rovers coach Salih Sozer couldn’t turn down the opportunity to coach at a club where he played so much soccer.
Sozer wasn’t planning on coaching senior soccer this but when the Rovers came asking about the FV state league 2 north-west coaching role, things quickly changed.
“It was a little unexpected, but it’s good to be home,” the new coach said. “I didn’t expect it.
“I wasn’t really looking at the moment and it was too good to say no.
“It’s my junior club and I used to play here when I was younger. I have that family connection and played there for a long time.”
Sozer said he had planned on coaching his son next year at Hume City, but the plans changed when the Rovers reached and he took on the role.
He said it was nice to give back to a club that had given him so much.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “It will be a challenge and I’m excited to work with the new people there.
“There’s a new committee, new coaches. It will be a journey but the right people are there to drive the club forward.”
The Rovers finished fifth in 2025, with the three top teams breaking away from the pack.
Sozer said they were keen to build on what they did this season.
“The top three were quite strong,” he said. “Half way through the season the club was right up there, but that’s sport.
“Things happen and we want to extend on what they did this year. The goal is to improve but we are under no illusion it will be a strong competition.
“We’re not taking anything for granted. We’ll need a bit of luck along the way.”
Sozer said they were looking to build a new side for next season.
The big focus for him and the committee going forward was to ensure their juniors know there’s a pathway into senior soccer.
“Every year you have to keep adapting and complement the squad,” he said.
“We have our own aspirations and want to play higher up. There’s players who have left to bigger and better things and if we can assist them do that, we’re doing something right for the journey.
“We’ll bring some new players in, a blend of youth and experience and we’ll be promoting some of the younger boys.
“It’s a philosophy of mine and the other coaches. We want to look to grow within through our juniors.
“We have the talent in the club and we want to reward it.”
