Melville United will welcome back two long term absentees in 2022 with senior squad members Luke Searle and Sean “Slids” Liddicoat set to return after missing the entire 2021 campaign through injury.

While there is no exact return to football date currently set, head coach Sam Wilkinson is excited about the prospect of the two defenders returning to action at Gower Park.

“Luke and Slids have been progressing well with their rehab after picking up serious injuries in the old summer league,” Wilkinson said.  “To have them back for our 2022 campaign is like signing two brand new players!”

The pair will provide some much needed experience to Melville for the upcoming season. Both suffered knee injuries during the 2020 season while playing for Canterbury United and Waitakere United respectively, and spent last year recovering from surgery.

And while Searle was a familiar face at Gower Park through the year, Liddicoat was only spotted once at Gower Park in 2021 making the journey from over the Kaimais to showcase his trademark grin.

“Slids enjoyed an influential debut season at Melville, [him] getting the players’ player of the year award shows the impact he had on the playing group in a short space of time. It’ll be great to have him back,” Wilkinson said.

Searle continued to hone his coaching skills last season in his Academy role, and stepped up to assist Harry Trethowan with the U23 side in the Northern League.

“Luke is a great club man, and his contribution off the pitch last season was excellent, but if I’m honest if we can get him out on the pitch back to the levels he was at before his injury it will be even better.”

Searle can’t wait to get out onto Gower Park again.

“I’m absolutely buzzing at the thought of getting the boots on proper and getting out to play on No 1,” he said. “It’s the best pitch in the country and it’s been a long time coming.”

# Melville return to pre-season training at Gower Park from January 25 and have a series of friendlies lined up through February until the Northern League season kicks off in late March.

# Player sponsorships for the 2022 men’s and women’s first team squads are also available, contact info@melvilleunited.co.nz for more information.