The only way is up for Mounties Wanderers following promotion

Mounties Wanderers FC will hope to make the most of their return to the Football NSW League One Men’s competition after just one year in the League Two Men’s competition following their recent playoff success over Nepean FC.

Mounties gained promotion following a 0-0 draw in both legs, successful 4-3 on penalties to earn their place in the state’s second tier for 2025.

The club made many investments and changes in the past year which brought them success, including bringing in new head coach Jure Bilokapic late in the season.

Bilokapic detailed how his Mounties side rallied late in the season to overtake Bankstown United FC for the all-important second placed finish, but also how they navigated their way through the playoffs.

“We did not stop training, we did not stop running, we were building the side up for these long games and we really wanted them to go the distance.

“Yeah, there were cramps but that was because we were playing on a synthetic pitch, but they were conditioned to do this and I always said we were going to come out on top, in the end.”

Bilokapic came in with five weeks to go before the season ended and rallied his side to be the form team of the competition to end the year, winning four-straight matches to clinch second spot by three points in the final round.

“Everyone did not give us a hope, but I had a lot of belief in these boys.

“We had belief and that is what it came down to, in the end.”

Despite the fact Mounties were relegated at the hands of Nepean FC last season, that was not brought up in the playing group in 2024, with new faces and a new coach who made their own bit of history, instead.

“I did not really want to bring old memories back; it was all about the moment today and we just had to do what we had to do to win this game of football.

“It was not pretty, but you know what? We will take it.”

Mounties played with energy across the two legs, with everyone from the backline to the forwards not afraid to do their defensive duties across the pitch and Bilokapic explained how his side was ready for that.

“We looked at the video and we knew it was going to be a very transitional game – we wanted to cut that out and play a bit of football.

“Once we got control of the ball, I thought we were probably better than what they were but at the end of the day, it was a good game of football, and the penalties decided it at the end.”

Looking ahead to the 2025 Football NSW League One Men’s season, Bilokapic said his team was just going to enjoy this moment for the time being.

“What we decide as a club and what the board decides, that will come down to the next few weeks.

“We are just going to enjoy this moment.”

By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Reporter, Dylan Costa (@_dylancosta)