Colin Iley hoping to bring English experience to competition

Manly United striker Colin Iley is hoping to bring his experience in the lower leagues of English football to help his club reach the IGA National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 finals.
Iley, 29, joined Manly United two years ago from Northern League Division one outfit Billingham Synthonia.
“I was coming over and when I got here, I use to play with Marc Richards (former Manly United captain) at England Universities for four years so it was coincidental we were both here at the same time,’’ he said.
“Midge (Manly coach Craig Midgley) offered me a trial and I just played in two trial games and he offered me to come back and play.
“It was a very quick thing about a 4-week turn around. I played in that league for six seasons and I felt like a chance so I came over here and see what it’s like.’’
The Englishman is known for his expertise in holding up the ball and bringing other players into the game.
Iley explained that side of his game was needed in the competition he was in otherwise he would be found out.
“Back in the UK the game is a lot faster and a lot more physical,’’ he said.
“If you can’t do that in the league I was playing in then you would struggle. 
“So that was a main part of the game in England, if you played forward you had to hold the ball up, hold defenders off, get other people into play and get into the middle to get on the end of crosses.’’
The one thing Iley has fallen in love with in Australia is the lifestyle.
Working in recruitment, relaxing on Manly beach and playing football is Iley’s focus, and he says he would never have it any other way.
“The lifestyle is brilliant, back in England it is snowing at the moment so I’m just chilling on Manly beach on the weekends which is not too bad,’’ he said.
“It’s a change, it is different culturally and I think to adjust to that as each suburb have got there.
“For example Marconi is Italian based, Sydney United are Croatian and they all have different styles of play.
“So you are adjusting your game every week which is different to what I am use to back home where you are going 100 mile an hour.’’
After defeating 2012 champions the Marconi Stallions last weekend, Manly are on a high.
Illey is confident the team Craig Midgley has put together can do some damage this season.
“I just think because we’ve kept the same team throughout the pre-season we have gotten used to playing with each other,’’ he said.
“We’ve recruited well with Brendan (Cholakian) and Sean Seavill who is a good member of the squad and is pretty young.
“Everyone is friends on and off the pitch, we all get along and everyone has the same goal to do well for Manly.
“We’ve got two wingers who really know how to cross the ball so my aim is to get into double figures (personally) this season and hopefully Manly sneak into the top five.’’
-By Chris Georges