Te Atatu are ready to mount a strong challenge for the NRF League One title this year after a swag of new signings ranging from national league veterans to talented Sunday league players.
New coaching duo of Nathan Christie and Daniel Eisenhut have pulled together a squad of experienced players ahead of their first fixture on Saturday March 25.
Christie has joined Te Atatu after five years at Metro FC, who he co-coached in last season’s Lotto NRFL first division, while Eisenhut is a long-time Te Atatu member.
READ MORE: Te Atatu appoint Daniel Eisenhut and Nathan Christie as co-coaches for next season >>>>
The eight-club NRFL League One replaces the former NRF Men’s Championship, with the winner qualifying for promotion to the Lotto NRFL Northern Conference.
New signings
Jared Colligan (34) signs from Mount Albert Ponsonby having scored more than 100 first-team goals there, 10 of them in last season’s Lotto NRFL first division.
Previous clubs include North Wellington, Bay Olympic and Cook Island’s club Tupapa Maraerenga.
Matt Chant (34) joins after playing for Mangere United last season, and also for Auckland Sunday League side Independiente FC. He’s previously turned out for Mount Albert Ponsonby, Manurewa, Franklin United, Takapuna, Fencibles United and Samoan side Lupe Ole Soaga.
Liam Mulrooney (44) arrives at Te Atatu after leaving Bay Olympic, where he was head coach of their Northern League side. Before joining Olympic, he was at Western Springs.
Mulrooney has won five national league titles, two OFC Champions League titles and went to the FIFA Club World Cup with Auckland City in 2006.
READ MORE: Bay Olympic opens search for new head coach as Liam Mulrooney steps down >>>>
Han Hong-Gyu (32) played last season for Metro FC, having joined them from Bay Olympic. He previously played professionally for Korean club Incheon United.
Petr Jakoubek (33) has played most of his recent football for Sunday League sides Independiente FC and Double Rum Greenhithe and previously played for Czech Republic side FK Kosor.
Adam Kordula (27) is another signing from Independiente FC, from the Auckland Sunday Football Association.
Returning for another season
Te Atatu have re-signed a number of their regular first teamers from last season, including leading goalscorer Rhys Caples who has scored more than 70 first team goals and made more than 100 appearances for Te Atatu.
Other returnees include Luke Galli, Stu Roberts, Peter Norris, Liam Gilbert, Joel Willets, Mitchell Callaghan and Marc Porter.
READ MORE: Te Atatu striker Rhys Caples reaches 100-match milestone in style >>>>
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