Keilor Wolves are hoping to make an instant in Football Victoria state league 4 west after finally earning promotion.
The Wolves were on top of the state league 5 west ladder when the season was called off, with FV deciding there would be no promotion and relegation.
The Wolves had 12 wins and two draws from their 14 games, sitting nine points clear of second when the season was called off and were shattered by the decision.
But with four teams pulling out of the state league competition, the Wolves were promoted to state league 4.
Wolves coach Sofiane Soufi said they felt they deserved to be in the higher grade.
“It’s an exciting feeling,” he said. “We found out online when the league made an announcement.
“We got promoted due to restructuring and nothing to do with Covid.
“It was then decided on which teams had the most points played per game and we were the best state league 5 team.
“We haven’t had a chance to properly celebrate.”
Soufi said they had lost two players from last year’s side, but had already added several new players with the squad pretty much finalised.
Pre-season got underway earlier this month, with the group keen to continue the momentum they had started.
“Our main aim is to get promoted again,” he said. “We’ve got a big pre-season coming up.
“We don’t hide our ambition. We are working towards promotion straight away.”
Soufi said with the risk of Covid-19 hanging over their heads, that teams would lose players for games.
“You have to plan around it,” he said.
“You might need to use 22 or 23 players instead of the normal 16 or 17 players. The reserves team will play a really important part.
“Every club needs to stick together. The seniors will need to pick players from the reserves and youth system.”
The Wolves state league season might not kick off for a couple of more months, but they will be on field well before that.
The club will play eight matches before the knockout FFA Cup starts in late February.
“We have a game next week against Whittlesea United, which is a state league team that I’m looking forward to,” said Soufi.
“We then play Mill Park, the Macedonian Cup which is important for our club and Hampton Park.
“We will have eight friendly matches to get the boys fit and prepared to play.”
Tara Murray
