MARK Flintoft wasn’t sure which club he’d be heading to as the transfer window deadline edged nearer last month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Trials with a Melbourne-based NPL club had fallen through after going over their player points budget, leaving Flintoft in limbo.
With less than a day before the window shut, Murray United came through with the last minute call to snap up the 20-year old central defender.
Flintoft was rushed into the side after completing a stint in Spain with FC Jove Español San Vicente.
He said he was keen to bring some of his own experience into the side.
“I’ve been back and forth in Spain for the last couple of years, it’s been really interesting playing over there,” he said.
The Australian game could definitely benefit from a little more more technicality, but we make up for it in fitness and physicality.
- Mark Flintoft
“It’s a much more technical game over there.
“I'd always wanted to go over and play in Europe, once I got there I really enjoyed it, and I'd like to get back over there at some point.
“It’s definitely experience that I want to try and bring to the club, I’ve been trying to incorporate that Spanish style into my own game.
“The Australian game could definitely benefit from a little more more technicality, but what we lack there we make up for in fitness and physicality.”
While Flintoft’s first outing for United was one to forget, a 3-0 loss to Werribee FC, he said he was looking forward to helping the club further establish itself in the NPL ranks.
“it’s exciting to see a club like Murray United putting faith in their young players, as opposed to trying to bring in older, established players who might be at the end of their careers,” he said.
“You always need that blend of youth and experience, and I think the club is going about achieving that in the right way.”
Flintoft joins Danny Federico and Aykut Kucuktepe as part of a trio of young recruits to join the club during the recent transfer window.
The Border franchise also added Salford City veteran Chris Lynch to the line-up, however the defensive hard-nut is yet to play for his new club after fracturing his cheekbone at training.
United are on the road once again this weekend, travelling to take on the fourth-placed Box Hill United.
They'll be looking to end a scoreless-streak of four games, which started in round 15's nailbiting 1-0 loss to Bendigo City.
Brief defensive lapses are all that have separated United from the rest of the league during that time, after the club showed it would be more than competitive in the early stages of the season.
After an impressive FFA Cup showing against NPL powerhouse Bentleigh Greens the club looked to be in a position to strike, but hasn't quite been able to capture the momentum.
The club’s sole win this season came against Moreland City in round six.