After spending last season directing Murray United from the sidelines, James Coutts will pull on the boots again this year in a player-coach role.
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Coutts will be a huge big addition on the field to help with the side’s aspirations pushing toward the top of the table.
Having played with now-English Premier League side Bournemouth, when in League One, Coutts is sure to bring quality to the team on the field as well as in the technical areas.
“I missed the buzz of getting out there training and playing games,” he said.
“I had good think at the end of last season and spoke to some people whose input I value.
“With news of an assistant coming on board, as well as David Afonso helping me out, I’m confident it can be successful.
“Hopefully I can help the team out on the pitch this year, as well as off it.
“I’m only 29 so I think I’ve still got a few years left in me yet and if I can add value and experience to the team and some football knowledge, I’m sure it can help the team get to the best position it can.
Murray United plays its first pre-season match on Friday night against South Melbourne, who are one of the main contenders to join the A-League next season.
The trial match is the first of a double header weekend with FFA Cup semi-finalist Canberra Olympic to play South Melbourne the following night.
Coutts said it will be a stern test just two weeks out from the opening game against Box Hill on February 4.
I missed the buzz of getting out there training and playing games.
- Murray United coach James Coutts
“It’s great that we will be coming up against one of the biggest clubs in the country, with the ongoing A-League scenario, it’s exciting to welcome them up to the Border,” he said.
“They have some great players and it will be a great test for our boys.
“With our new recruits and players we have retained, we are looking forward to the season and this game is a big part of that preparation.
“With the earlier start to the NPL season, pre-season has been slightly different this year, however, we are confident with the new players, who continue to improve, that we will have a successful 2017.”
Club administrator Marcus Copsey said bringing two teams of this calibre to the Border for a match was fantastic for soccer.
“These two teams are among the front runners for the A-League expansion and I would expect a very high quality game on the Saturday night,” he said.
"This is exactly what Murray United was set up to do – expose our talented footballers to the wider world and open pathways to the top tiers of the sport in this country.
"Having faced Bentleigh Greens last year and now South, we are really showing the big guns of semi-professional football in this country what we can do and some of the talent we possess here in the Murray region.”
Entry will be free for a 7.30pm kick-off at La Trobe on Friday and 5.30pm on Saturday.
