Sunshine George Cross has secured Knights Stadium as a temporary home for games in 2018 while its new home ground is built at Taylors Hill.
The Georgies have been informed that Chaplin Reserve is no longer available for use, with works to begin on turning the site into townhouses.
Georgies coach Tony Ciantar said that while the transition phase would not be easy, the club would make the most of its time at Knights Stadium.
“It’s a great facility, no question,” Ciantar said. “It’s just going to be hard because we’re not going to be able to train on it. To be honest, there’s nothing like home.”
Sunshine bade farewell to its traditional home at Chaplin Reserve with a fourth-placed finish in NPL2 last season.
The Georgies have already taken the first steps towards an even higher finish next season.
Ciantar has made some moves in the transfer market that will add experience and depth, and is not done with wheeling and dealing yet.
“The main thing for me is that we’ve retained our core players,” he said. “A few players that we’re bringing in now is to take us to another level. We’re hoping to add to our signings this side of Christmas.”
Sunshine will have a new face between the posts next season.
Sermin Sadikovski, a title winner at Kingston City, arrives with his eyes firmly set on the No.1 goalkeeper position.
“He’s a quality ’keeper, he’s hard-working at training and so far looks the goods,” Ciantar said.
Slave Bozinovski, brought in from North Geelong Warriors, will provide much-needed experience in defence.
Danny Barakat, a seasoned campaigner and former Sydenham Park attacker, will be a key addition to the Georgies’ front line.
The Georgies have also signed lower league star Jungho Kim.
Kim has won club best-and-fairest awards at Sporting Whittlesea and Sydenham Park in the past two seasons, but the question is whether he can translate that form into the NPL.
“It’s a little bit slower in state league 2, so it’s a matter of if he’s going to be up to the pace and the work rate in the NPL, but time will tell,” Ciantar said. “Technically, he’s a brilliant footballer, but he’s got to prove that to me on the park – that he ticks all the other boxes.”
Sunshine’s biggest loss is Christopher Dib, who has jumped up a level to play with Dandenong Thunder.
The Georgies played NPL club South Melbourne in a friendly on Wednesday night, losing 3-0.
