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Cromer Park sets the stage for a big day and night of football, with both Manly United’s Senior Men’s and Women’s sides in action in an exciting double-header on home turf.

It’s the first time both teams return home together since last season, and for the Senior Men, their first fixture at Cromer Park since Round 6 after consecutive weeks on the road. With strong support expected, both squads will be eager to make their mark and provide the home crowd with an early Easter gift.

Senior Men Eyeing Home Impact

Recent performances from the Senior Men have shown strong intent, with the side consistently creating opportunities and remaining competitive deep into matches. While results haven’t quite gone their way, most losses have come by narrow margins, underlining the strength and organisation of the team’s defensive efforts.

At the other end, the attacking intent is clear, with opportunities being created each week. The focus now is on turning those moments into goals, with the coaching staff urging the players to “dig deeper” and convert their chances while maintaining intensity across the full ninety minutes.

Senior Women Chasing Momentum at Cromer

The Senior Women have made a strong start to the season, suffering just one loss and showing plenty of quality across their opening fixtures. Their consistency and ability to stay in games has been a key feature of their performances so far.

Returning to Cromer Park, the group will be looking to build on that foundation and push back towards winning ways. With confidence growing and momentum building, they’ll be eager to make the most of the home stage.

It’s a cohesive squad with strong belief across the group, and this presents another opportunity to build on that solid start and set the tone for the season ahead.

The Whole Senior Squad in Action

Both our Under 20s Men and Under 23s Women will also feature at Cromer Park today, giving fans even more to enjoy across the day. The U23s Women have impressed with three wins from their opening fixtures, while the U20s Men have shown their strength as a unit, with plenty of goals across some closely contested matches.

With all four teams eager to deliver strong performances at home, it’s a great opportunity for the Manly United family to come together and get behind them. Bring the noise, Manly Massive!

Manly United Senior Women U23s kick off on Cromer Park 1 at 3pm, followed by First Grade Women at 5pm. The Senior Men U20s will kick off simultaneously at 5pm on Cromer Park 2, while the First Grade Men wrap up the day’s fixtures at 7pm on Cromer Park 1.

Manly United would like to congratulate goalkeeper Chelsea McCredie on her recent Senior Women debut – an exciting milestone in what is already a standout football journey.

Chelsea’s football pathway began at Narrabeen FC, where she first took to the field in the U6s. After several seasons as a field player, she transitioned to the goalkeeper role in the U10s.

Her development continued at Manly United, where she joined the GSAP (now GJDL) program and made her debut in the U12s squad in February 2021. That same year, Chelsea was recognised with the Coaches Award – an early indication of her potential and talent.

Since then, she has continued to progress through the ranks and, at just 16 years of age, is now part of the club’s Senior Women’s program as the U23s goalkeeper. Chelsea also trains with the First-Grade players and has been named in the team since the start of the 2026 season.

For such a young goalkeeper, Chelsea’s decision making is exceptional – one of the key reasons she has been trusted with opportunities at the senior level so early in her career. She carries herself with a maturity and confidence well beyond her years, while her positive attitude and team-first approach have made her a valued member of every squad she has been a part of.

Her performances have also been recognised beyond Manly United. In 2025, Chelsea was identified as an emerging talent and selected in the Junior Matildas AFC Under 17 Women’s Asian Cup squad. She has also spent time in the Sydney FC Development Program and Future Sapphires Program.

Her recent debut is a well-deserved reward for years of hard work, commitment and consistent development.

Manly United is incredibly proud of Chelsea and looks forward to watching her continue to grow in the years ahead.

Image credit: Facet Photography

There was a special moment at Cromer Park on Friday night, as Manly United proudly presented a commemorative jersey to long-time partner Wayne Brown of Brown Bros Skip Bins.

It marked more than just another season of support – it was a recognition of 16 years backing the club’s Senior Women, and a lifetime spent giving back to the game.

Because for Wayne, football has never just been something to watch; it’s been an integral part of who he is.

His journey began as a player, running out for the Avalon Soccer Club U11s (back in the days when they called Dunbar Park home). After playing through to U18s, he would go on to spend 15 years coaching junior and Premier League sides, all while remaining deeply involved at his local club where he still serves as treasurer and has been a sponsor for several decades.

That same passion for football carried into family life. Both of Wayne’s daughters played the game, with one competing at Premier League level, and already his pre-school aged grandchildren appear to have that same fondness of the beautiful game.

More than a Sponsor

Sixteen years ago, Wayne brought his love of football to Manly United. What started with a few fence banners quickly grew into something much more meaningful. From team sponsorships to becoming a principal partner of the Senior Women, his support has been consistent and always purposeful.

Because for Wayne, it’s never been about exposure.

“It’s about giving back,” is a sentiment that has guided not just his involvement in football, but across the wider community.

Alongside his wife Jane – both double maths graduates – Wayne has supported local schools with academic prizes, contributed to surf lifesaving through boat and event sponsorships, and played a key role in Manly United’s own history with a significant five-figure donation toward The Far Post rebuild in 2021.

It’s not only financial backing that Wayne brings to the club. Over the years, he has also played a role in connecting grassroots football with the Manly United pathway, watching many familiar faces rise through the ranks.

And still, when time allows between work, family and looking after his grandchildren, you’ll find Wayne walking his dog George at Cromer Park – quietly showing support from the sidelines.

Because that’s what he’s always done.

From collecting rubbish in 44-gallon drums across the Northern Beaches to building Brown Bros Skip Bins into a trusted local business, Wayne’s story has been one of hard work, community, and commitment. Even today, following the sale of the business in 2024, he remains involved in its day-to-day operations.

But on Friday night, the focus wasn’t on business. It was on legacy.

A jersey presented under lights was for many of us, a moment to reflect on years of unwavering support, generosity, and commitment to the game.

It serves as a reminder that clubs like Manly United are built not just by players and coaches but by people like Wayne Brown.

The club remains grateful to Wayne for giving us so much over the years, and he will forever have a place within the Manly United family.

Manly United endured a difficult evening on the road, falling to SD Raiders – the home side’s first win of the season.

In the First Grade clash, Manly faced an early wave of pressure and were unable to hold off the hosts’ attacking intent, heading into the break 2-0 down.

The team responded positively in the second half, creating several promising opportunities. Ayumu Kimura tested the goalkeeper, while chances fell to Saxon Hillyer, Jesse Piriz and Ben Koop as Manly fought hard to work their way back into the contest.

Despite the home side adding a third, Manly continued to press and were rewarded for their persistence when Luke Nieuwenhof powered home a header to give the visitors a deserved goal. With under ten minutes remaining, they pushed for more but were unable to turn things around.

As has been the case in recent weeks, there were positive passages of play and moments where Manly looked in control, but turning those spells into decisive outcomes remains a key focus.

U20s Just Edged Out

The U20s were similarly tested in their fixture, but showed control for large periods, pushing throughout the full ninety minutes before being undone by a goal in the 73rd minute.

The squad now looks to regroup, build on the encouraging signs from recent games and find that edge to convert strong performances into points in the weeks ahead.

See full match stats here:

Image credit: Football NSW

There’s a real buzz around Cromer Park as Manly United’s Senior Women return home for their first game of the 2026 season tonight.

After opening the campaign with two away fixtures, the group comes back to familiar surroundings full of confidence, having picked up four valuable points with a draw and a win on the road.

It’s never easy starting a season away from home, but this squad has embraced the challenge. A strong 1–1 result against Macarthur Rams, with Phoebe Gilbane on the scoresheet, was followed by a standout performance last weekend.

That match was a celebration of attacking football, with new signing Brin Gentle announcing herself in style with a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Sydney Olympic – a performance that reflected the balance within the squad and the positive energy continuing to build within this group.

It’s a squad that combines experience, new faces and homegrown talent – a blend that continues to shape the Manly United identity. Long-time pathway representatives Sarah Whelan and Mackenzie Jeffs have earned their First Grade debuts this season, while goalkeeper Chelsea McCredie has made her move from GYL to the U23s – and boasts a clean sheet from her opening two games.

The U23s have enjoyed an equally impressive start to the season, remaining unbeaten after two impressive 3-0 and 4-0 wins – with the goals shared across seven different players only emphasising their depth.

Tonight’s opponents, Northern Tigers, arrive with one win and one loss from their opening fixtures, and they will be keen to bounce back quickly.

For the hosts, the squad will be eager to put on a strong performance in front of their home supporters and to share the moment with their Manly family.

Tonight’s fixture starts with the U23s at 5.30pm, followed by the First Grade at 7.30pm.

The first home game of the season also provides an opportunity to recognise an integral part of the Manly United community – our Principal Partner, Brown Bros Skip Bins – who will be presented with their supporter jersey ahead of the First Grade game to thank them for their long-standing support of the Manly Women’s program.

Image credit: Facet Photography