Lane Readies To Take Strikers Reins

Brisbane Strikers

Words: Staff Writers
Image: Brisbane Strikers FC

It has been 21 years since Sean Lane last coached senior football, but the new Brisbane Strikers gaffer is ready to step up in his new role in 2017.

Lanes only previous senior coaching appointment came in 1995 when he took control of then Victorian Premier League outfit Preston Lions in a caretaker capacity.

Since then Lanes coaching has been in the junior and youth ranks, while also taking the assistant coaching role under previous Strikers coach Kevin Aherne-Evans through Strikers recently completed Premiership winning campaign.

Lane concedes replacing his predecessor will be difficult, but he is ready to give it a mighty shake.

Kevin was an absolute gem to work with, a really clever coach.  He was brilliant on game day and I learned loads from him, Lane said.

The challenge for me now is to continue the good work and Ive said this to the boys I have already spoken to were looking to continue the success that Kevins brought to the club.

Yes, it is daunting to follow Kevin.  But for me, youre at the best club in Queensland outside of the Roar and these opportunities dont get presented to you too often.

So you either have to back yourself in, and believe in your ability to continue the good work, or you look at the downside and say Ill never replicate whats happened and walk away.  But that just isnt my style.

There is still a lot of unfinished business. Kevin and I, and (technical director) David Large, were very disappointed we didnt kick on and win the NPL Finals Series.

We were unlucky down in Sydney.  We could have gone better there and we had the opportunity to beat Melbourne City (in the Westfield FFA Cup).

So there are certainly things we can try to improve on.  But none of those things come without good players, hard work and a real strong set of core values and beliefs that the players will buy into.

Lanes playing career in his native England saw him sign his first professional contract with fourth-division Hereford United at just 16 before being snapped up by second division Derby County.

However, Lane learned the hard way about the vagaries of elite football and found himself on the outer only two games into his Derby career.

 I got pulled off at half time. I didnt know the reason why at the time, but it transpired that the coach thought Id pulled out of a tackle and he never spoke to me again.  I copped the heave-ho from Derby shortly thereafter, Lane recalled.

However, his misfortune could prove a handy lesson for those young talents coming through the Strikers ranks and aspiring to the games upper echelons.

Its a fine line that you tread when you embark on a professional football career. You are one bad game away from getting the heave-ho and one good game from making your name.

His departure from Derby opened up other doors, including a move to Preston Lions in the National Soccer League originally for a few months, but ultimately seeing him remain Down Under for good.

His time in Australia which included a then national record transfer fee of $30,000 to move to Brunswick Juventus has seen him ply his trade in three states.

However, Lane says the upcoming generation of Strikers players are offering plenty of good signs as he sets about putting his squad together for 2017.

Ive said this to anybody that cares to listen I think weve got some of the best seventeen, eighteen and nineteen year-olds at our club that Ive ever worked with and in all three States that Ive lived in.

Sometimes these kids have just got to be thrown in at the deep end and given the opportunity to prove themselves, he concluded.




Comments

Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.

Download the GameDay App!

Stay up-to-date with your favourite teams and keep an eye on your rivals by accessing the latest match results, fixtures and stats via GameDay App.

GameDay Splash Screen
App Store Google Play