One of Murray United's most promising young players is prepared to make sacrifices to keep his dream of playing soccer at the highest level alive.
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Lewis Greenwood has accepted an offer to rejoin former club Peninsula Power in the Queensland NPL and will relocate up north as soon as possible.
The 20-year-old returned from the Power to Murray United midway through last season having experienced homesickness and had planned to stay with the Border outfit this year until it pulled the pin on its senior program last week.
Greenwood has left his job and is the process of clearing out his house for the big move.
"I've decided that I'll be going back up," Greenwood said.
"It's a shame that I've unfortunately got to quit my job and all that sort of thing.
"Obviously I don't know the exact reason, I think it's number-wise as to why Murray has shut down, which is unfortunate.
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"We were all keen to stay on, but if the numbers aren't there, we can't.
"If it (Murray) was to stay up, I'm sure we'd all go back and try to make it work again, but whether that happens I'm not too sure."
Greenwood trialled with A-League club Brisbane Roar's youth outfit in 2017 and since made connections with Queensland clubs.
He certainly hasn't given up on the dream of playing professionally.
"I think that's why I'm willing to move and quit my job to try and pursue playing at a decent level, if not even higher," he said.
"I'm willing to move again and see if it can work.
"I think this time my partner and I are getting our own place and I guess not rush into it as such. We want to make sure we're ready and comfortable to live up there long term.
I think that's why I'm willing to move and quit my job to try and pursue playing at a decent level, if not even higher.
- Lewis Greenwood
"They want me up there as soon as possible, but I'm heading up about the 14th of this month.
"It's not too long away. I've got two weeks to try to sell everything and move myself up there."
Greenwood is excited for the year ahead, with the Power setting a goal to reach the last 32 in this year's FFA Cup competition.
"I want to try get myself looked at by the right people and play well the whole year," he added.
"More as a team, it would be great to experience playing in the FFA Cup round of 32. The chance of playing against an A-League side is massive.
"That's what my personal and team goals will be for the year."
Murray United will always hold a place in Greenwood's heart and he hasn't ruled out pulling on the red and black again if the opportunity arises later in his career.
"It's always an option (to come back), but whether that happens and we're able to rally the people to get it going again, as well as the license, we could be looking at starting back in State League 5 right at the bottom and having to work our way back up again," he said.
"It's definitely an option if it's there."
Greenwood joins a list of quality departures from Murray United this off-season including best and fairest winner Tom Youngs (Langwarrin), former captain Ashley Dunn (England) and the club's leading goal-scorer in its five-year history Zac Walker (Wangaratta).