Preston Lions ambition matched with National Second Tier interest

Liam Watson
Preston Lions
Images credit: Preston Lions

Preston Lions have provided an update to their National Second Tier progress, following on from their expression of interest.

In an update to their supporters and the wider football community, the Lions officially registered their interest on February 12, with the club now working towards the March 3 submission deadline to move into the next stage – showing that they want to be a genuine contender for the new competition.

It’s an important and necessary step for clubs to take that leap into a second tier that will grow the game, and Preston are just one of those to put their hand up. The Lions’ interest is vindicated by their very own progression, off the back of a promotion to play in NPL Victoria 2 this season.

As an indication of the influence and support for Preston in the area of Reservoir, the club attracted 5,000 supporters to their Round 1 home fixture against Pascoe Vale FC. In a sign of things to come for a second tier competition, Preston would not look out of place.

With a larger support base comes bigger responsibility, something that Club President David Cvetkovski believes is what the players thrive off.

“We’re using the National Second Tier to show where we aspire to be, after some long years of rebuilding,” he told Soccerscene.

“Our aim is to make players and coaches as accessible as possible, which is what will help create the positive culture.

“The players are driven and know they need to perform with fan expectations – at the end of the day it’s something they need to be accustomed to.

“Working alongside even our rivals, we’re hoping the second tier can have a widespread huge impact on the sport.

“For example, we are in regular talks with Nick Maikousis at South Melbourne and have a good working relationship.

“There would be nothing better than to see us against South in front of 10-15,000 people. That’s where we strive to be.”

 

Despite being a club with rich history, the Lions still have room to grow and with the turnout they received last Friday night, they are on a quest for bigger and better things.

“We’re very big on fan engagement and it’s all about the people,” Cvetkovski added.

“At the end of the day, we’re in the entertainment industry and we just play a part with providing a great fan experience.

“There’s a real community feel around this club now and we just want to cater for that as best as possible.”

Only a few years ago, a redevelopment of their facilities saw the completion of their pavilion we see today, alongside the main grandstand that is completely buzzing on gameday.

Preston have set themselves up in preparedness to enter the National Second Tier, with works ongoing to make it happen.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

Avatar
Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

Avatar
Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend