David Perkovic racks up 100 matches for NWS Spirit FC
When you think of National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s coaches, no one is more recognizable than NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic.
Fresh off racking up a hundred games in the Spirit dugout, we thought we’d catch up with him as his team looks ahead to the second half of the season and an intriguing cup fixture.
Signing for NWS Spirit after taking fellow NPL 2 NSW Men’s side Mounties Wanderers to within one game from a grand final in 2016.
“Perko” as his affectionally known, has slowly built his side year on year at the club with a remarkable record of improving every year his been at the club.
Finishing 12th in 2016, 9th in 2017, 7th in 2018, 5th in 2019 and 2nd in 2020. Reflecting on this process, Perkovic added.
“You don’t see it too often these days, a coach being at the club for five seasons or so.
“It’s been a long road. when I arrived, the start was disjointed and not having a home ground made it hard to build team and club culture initially. After moving back to Christie Park, we were really able to build as a club. it’s been really enjoyable and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be at one club for that amount of years.”
Not one to look solely in the rear-view mirror. Perkovic has his eyes set firmly on the prize in 2021, the Spirit sitting pretty in the top four as the halfway mark approaches with seven victories and three defeats after ten rounds.
“It’s been a very good start. Can’t really complain where we are sitting on the table, but nobody remembers where you are sitting at the halfway mark of the season.”
“The challenge now is to keep that level of performance for the remainder of the season. We want to make sure that we consolidate being in the top tier category of this league and hopefully by the end of the season we are sitting in a similar position.”
Yet an FFA Cup game comes before that and having beaten two association clubs in Shoalhaven United and Manly Vale. NWS Spirit now face top tier NPL NSW Men’s side Marconi Stallions in a much anticipated round six tie.
Looking ahead to the cup tie. Perkovic labelled it a “great opportunity” against a team with great history in the Australian game.
“It’s a great opportunity to play a club with such history in Australia and the NPL competitions.
“We know Marconi isn’t doing as well as they’d like this season. But there’s a lot of quality in that side, so we’ll make sure we’re switched on from the first whistle, Tuesday night.”
NWS Spirit host Marconi Stallions in round 6 of the FFA Cup tomorrow night at Christie Park. 7:45pm kick off.
-By Justin Smith
