Smith commits to club’s NPL rebuild
REIGNING Gold Coast United Player of the Year Conor Smith expects the club’s “difficult” NPL debut to be the catalyst for a second-season title charge after agreeing to return in 2019.
Crowned United’s NPL MVP in September, the 21year-old midfielder yesterday officially put pen to paper on a new deal with the Surfsiders.
The Englishman’s first cam- paign with the club was a turbulent one, with a number of mid-season departures and the sacking of coach Sean Lane consigning United to a disappointing 10th-placed finish.
However, with new coach Kristian Rees headlining a rebuild that includes the recruitment of ex-Socceroo Michael Thwaite and Gold Coast Knights duo Oskar Dillon and Justyn McKay, Smith is confident the tide has turned.
“It was a difficult year for both myself and the men’s squad this season, if I’m being honest,” the Evertonian said.
“For me, adjusting to a new country (and) a new competition took a while. And for the lads the going wasn’t easy at times but we’re all the better for that.
“I love the Coast. It’s such a great place to live and football wise the NPL’s a top comp, with some real quality teams and hard matches every week.
“We’ve had a few runs together as a squad (in pre-season) with Kristian and there’s some real quality among the group. And with Thwaitey, Justyn and Oskar already signed, the foundation looks sound and I can’t wait to play alongside those three. They’re quality players.”
Former A-League defender Rees said he was “excited” to have Smith on the books.
“He was a standout player last season and with the application and work rate he’s applying at training, I’m expecting big things from him in 2019,” Rees said.