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Kicking Off the New Season

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Happy New Year from everyone at Manly United Football Club – a warm welcome to the 2026 season!

In less than three weeks’ time, our Men’s 1st Grade team will formally kick off proceedings with their Round 1 fixture against St George City. Let’s hope there’s much less rain than they had for their trial match against Hills United last Saturday – ooph, what a weekend to have a first hit out!

Right now, everyone at Cromer Park – players, coaches, staff – are all busy preparing for the competition ahead and our first home game on February 6th. Not only are the Men’s 1st Grade players back training, but also our Senior Women, Boys Youth League and Mixed Junior Development teams. The Far Post Bar and Bistro has also reopened its doors to serve up beverages every evening and food on weekends. No question, Cromer Park is officially open once again!

For now, please keep your eyes on our news feeds over the coming days and weeks as we announce details of this year’s squads, coaches, fixtures, and other important dates for your diaries. We will also be revealing our sponsors for the season, a bunch of local businesses without whom we simply couldn’t operate effectively. Thank you for your partnership!

Ready for some more football? See you down at Cromer Park soon!

2026 MUFC Goalkeeper Development Squad Expression of Interest

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Expressions of Interest’s (EOI) for the 2026 Manly United FC Goalkeeper Development Squad U10 – U16 are now available! 

Please submit your EOI form to secure your place in the 2026 MUFC Goalkeeper Dev Squad. You must complete this EOI to be eligible for the program, click below:

Manly United Goalkeeper Development Squad 2026  – Fill in form

*IMPORTANT* – This form closes midnight, Monday 12th January 2026. If you have not submitted the above EOI by the closing date, you will not be able to participate in the Program. 

For more information on the program, please click here – Goalkeeper Development Squad 

*Please note: You can only participate in the program if you are registered with one (1) of the sixteen (16) Clubs in the Manly Warringah Football Association. 

2026 MUFC Foundation Squad Expression of Interest

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Expression of Interest’s (EOI) for the 2026 Manly United FC Foundation Squad U6 – U8 are now available!

Please submit your EOI form to secure your place in the 2026 Foundation Squad. You must complete this EOI to be eligible for the program, click below!

Manly United Foundation Squad 2026 – Fill in form

*IMPORTANT* – This form closes midnight, Monday 12th January 2026. If you have not submitted the above EOI by the closing date, you will not be able to participate in the Program. 

For more information, please click here – U6-U8 Foundation Squad 

*Please note: You can only participate in the program if you are registered with one (1) of the sixteen (16) Clubs in the Manly Warringah Football Association. 

Remembering Colin May, MUFC Life Member

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Today, we honour and remember Manly United Life Member, Colin (Col) May, who sadly passed away this week.

Col’s contribution to our football community spans decades. His journey began when his sons, Stephen and Gary, joined Kissing Point Sports Club. From there, Col stepped into many roles, eventually becoming the manager of KDSA Representative Teams and later the Team Manager of the Ku-ring-gai First Grade Representative Team.

When Ku-ring-gai and Manly Warringah merged in 1991 to form Manly North Shore United, Col played a key part in uniting the clubs, taking on the role of joint Team Manager to ensure a smooth transition. Three years later, he became the sole First Grade Manager — a role he held with pride and dedication until 2004, the year Manly United was formed.

Even after stepping back from team management, Col remained a familiar face at Cromer Park, helping on match days as a jacketed Club Official and supporting the club he loved.

In 2022, Col was deservedly awarded Life Membership of Manly United – a testament to his unwavering commitment and service.
We thank Col for everything he gave to our club and our community. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time.

Thank you Life Member Keith Pester

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Celebrating the Remarkable Contribution of Life Member Keith Pester

Manly United FC is proud to celebrate the extraordinary service of Life Member and long-standing Director, Keith Pester, who this week retired from the Manly United Board after decades of commitment to football on the Northern Beaches.

Keith’s involvement stretches back more than 40 years – long before the club took its current form. From his early days at Wakehurst FC and the Manly Warringah Football Association, through to his leadership roles at Manly United, Keith has been at the heart of our football community for generations. Few people have witnessed or shaped the evolution of our club the way Keith has.

His contribution goes far beyond meeting rooms. Keith played a central role in developing the player-pathway philosophy that defines our club today: creating opportunities for local juniors, supporting volunteers, and helping build the strong grassroots-to-senior structure that thousands of families on the northern beaches now enjoy.

His service has been formally recognised across the game. Keith is a Life Member of Wakehurst FC, MWFA and Manly United, and a recipient of the prestigious Charles Valentine Medal, acknowledging outstanding contribution to football in NSW. These honours reflect not only the length of his service, but the quality and impact of it. But perhaps what people will remember most are the stories that show Keith’s character. Like the junior game that couldn’t start because a large swarm of bees had settled on – and collapsed – the corner flag. Without hesitation, Keith picked up the flag – bees and all – carried it to a nearby tree, shook them off, and said “Alright, get on with it”. It’s a simple moment, but one that captures who he is: calm, practical, community-minded and always willing to step in.

Keith’s legacy lives in every corner of the club – on the fields of Cromer Park, in the opportunities created for young players, and in the culture of dedication and community that he helped build over decades.

On behalf of everyone at Manly United FC, we extend our deepest thanks to Keith for his leadership, passion and unwavering service. His contribution is lasting, significant and deeply appreciated. Keith will always remain part of the Manly United family.

When you see Keith on the sidelines of Summer Soccer, or busily fussing over our facilities, or cheering on our teams on game-day, please take a moment to shake his hand and thank him for his extraordinary contribution.
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