Centre Circle

Football can be so many things, and this year Knox United showed all of them.

Let's start with the good — because there was a lot of it.

Our Miniroos and junior programs had a brilliant year, with plenty of our teams pushing for finals right up until the last few rounds. That's the depth we've been trying to build, and it's showing. Our female football program continues to grow under Franca Paduano, and the work she's put in is a huge part of why this club feels different to a few years ago.

And then there's the big one: this year we brought Senior Women's football back to Knox United after 15 years away. Fifteen years -  that's history being made, and everyone involved in making that happen deserves real credit.

Now the harder part. Our Men's Seniors and Reserves were relegated a few weeks ago, and I'm not going to pretend that doesn't sting. We knew coming into this year that it was going to be tough. Ultimately, we didn't achieve what we set out to. That's on all of us to learn from.

What I won't let go unsaid is the character shown by our Under-17s, who were thrown into senior football in the Reserves at the beginning of the season. Week in, week out, they turned up and that says a lot about their character.

Here's the truth about what's ahead, though: 2027 is going to test us in ways that have nothing to do with what happens on the pitch. Carrington Park is going offline next year, and right now — right now — council still can't tell us where this club will be playing or training. Not a paddock, not a timeline, nothing concrete. That's not good enough for a club with the history and the numbers we have, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. We are fighting behind the scenes every single week but your voice will add some strength to our cause - contact Knox City Council, contact your local councillor, let them know this just isn't good enough!

HAVE YOUR SAY: MEMBER SURVEY

To every committee member, supporter, member, sponsor, volunteer, player and family who stood beside us this season — thank you. You made every ground feel like ours, even the ones that weren't, and you reminded me exactly what this club is worth fighting for.

The chapter on 2026 is closing. The fight for 2027 is only just starting — on the field and off it.

Una Fortior / United We Are Stronger

Yours in sport,
Felice Lomuto
Club President