The 2001 AWFA star player and golden boot winner will coach the Patties in 2015.

It’s Vaskovic’s second stint at Alexandra Park having acted as a player/coach for three years before stepping down at the end of 2010.

He had also previously played in league and cup wining sides at Wodonga Diamonds and Albury United.

Vaskovic said the time was right to return to coaching.

“I had a look at a couple of games last year and was pretty impressed,” he said.

“Andy (Stevens) had them playing football and there was a core group of five or six 16 and 17-year-olds who will be all the better for a year and in some cases two of senior football.

“I think I can also bring a couple of players to the club who can add a bit of depth.”

Vaskovic said the standard and speed of the AWFA competition had gone up a notch in recent years.

“The arrival of the imports has certainly lifted the skill level and the exposure of the game nationally has improved the skills and knowledge of our own players,” he said.

“The great unknown of course next year is the impact of Murray United.

“They have effectively taken the best 40 players in the competition and how that plays out in AWFA will be interesting to watch.

“Clubs that have had a strong focus on developing juniors will be better placed to offset those losses.”

“But you’d imagine it will still be a more level playing field in 2015.”

Vaskovic also sees his role as guiding St Pats FC as a club.

“I see this as a chance to help develop a coaching philosophy for the whole club,” he said.

“We can apply a level of professionalism to what we are trying to achieve and look to develop those young players into the best they can be.

“It’s a challenge but I think we can be more than competitive next year.”

St Pats will return to the training track for the first of their pre-season sessions on January 4 at Alexandra Park.