Established in 1976 Tuggeranong United have seen the highs, lows and everything in between over their 45-year history. 

In 2018 Tuggeranong United finished in the top four for the first time in 15 years, breaking their finals football drought. That was as far as it went for the Southsiders however, as they were knocked out in the semi-finals to Tigers FC on penalties after the nail-biting game finished 2-2 after extra time.

With the introduction of NPL2 in 2019, as well as promotion and relegation between NPL1 and NPL2 competitions, there’s now more to play for and every match is a crucial ninety minutes no matter which Division you’re in.

At present, Tuggeranong United are the team occupying the relegation zone after a slow start to the first half of the season. They may be yet to win a game, but it’s not all bad news for Mitch Stevens’ Tuggeranong side with the boys in green and white tallying up half a dozen draws in a row, which ties the NPL League record.

Tuggeranong United are five points away from the 7th placed Monaro Panthers and with 10 games still left to be played, Tuggeranong have 900 minutes of football left to perform the first relegation escape of the 2020’s NPL Capital Football era.

The team aren’t unfamiliar to relegation having had stints in the Premier League 2 competition in 1998 and 1999. Another relegation came six years after in 2005 after the club was entrenched in the top flight from 2000-2004.

United, as a club, never appear to stay in the second division for too long though, as they usually propel themselves back up after just one campaign, with their longest stint in the second tier being from 1998-1999.

Securing safety is never as easy as it seems, especially in a league as competitive as the NPL.

Capital Football talked to Tuggeranong United head coach Mitch Stevens to get his insight into the 2021 season so far.

 

Q. After your successful pre-season, in which you went undefeated, was there an expectation on the team to push for top four football?

Mitch Stevens (MS) There was and still is. We believe this squad is capable of competing with any side in the competition, and that has always been necessary to be able to fight for a finals position. Through poor game management and some incredible bad luck, wins have become draws, draws have turned into losses and that first win has been elusive. Time is of the essence, but if we can win in the next fortnight, we really believe it will take a weight off the shoulders and we could turn it into a run of victories that would see us right back in contention.

 

Q. Now that we have reached the halfway point, how would you assess your side so far this season?

(MS) It is the most unusual season I have ever been involved in as a player or a coach. Six successive draws is extremely odd, and even the matches we have lost have been by a single goal. In every match we compete and give as good as we get, but critical moments have just not gone our way. Last minute goals conceded, winning goals disallowed, matches abandoned with the team on top, it’s been hard to comprehend. We are terribly disappointed not to be higher in the league, but we are doing everything we can to turn our “luck” around.

 

Q. Will there be a rebuilding phase for Tuggeranong after this season? Will we see a new look Tuggeranong United in 2022?

(MS) Yes and no. All teams are in a state of flux at NPL level as there are no long-term contracts or guarantees any player will be around the following year. We have a history at TUFC of players remaining loyal to the club, and this current group have been wonderful servants just like their predecessors.  Having said that, the next generation is knocking on the door already.

 

Q. Do you see the young talent within your squad such as Mark Richards, Harrison Buesnel, Jack Rowley, Jenno Cerruti, Lawson Moore and Tarisayi Mbogo being the foundation for a future Tuggeranong United side?

(MS) I think Harrison Buesnel and Tarisayi Mbogo are the foundation of the team now. Mark’s (Richards) debut goal last match showed a glimpse of how good he can be, whilst Jack (Rowley), Jenno (Cerruti) and Lawson (Moore) are all touching distance of the first team and definitely give a snapshot of a really exciting future for this side. And if we are talking about the near future, keep an eye out for Ivica Majetic, Josh Campbell, Lewis Kaminski, Kai Beaumont, the Wales brothers, and that’s not naming a lot of really talented kids. There is a wonderful generation coming through that all the coaching staff at the club are very enthusiastic about.

 

Q. What kind of mentality will you approach the last ten games of the season with? What are your targets?

(MS) Our mentality hasn’t changed since I arrived at the club and won't change now. We wear our hearts on our sleeves, and play a fast, direct style from the 1^st minute of a match to the last. I truly believe if we can get that first win, anything can happen after that.