Pumped City hot to go

THE NEW TEAM: Sponsor Andrew Dimes with Wanganui City FC 1sts coach Kelvin Francis and manager Bryan Mackie.PHOTO/SHARON FRANCIS 02042015WCSUPFOOTBALL.

As the 2015 football season sets to kick off this weekend, Wanganui City FC have many new things to look forward to.

The first is the return of the 1sts team to the Central Federation League after dropping down to Western Premiership in 2014, where they won the title and regenerated the passion and want to succeed at the higher level.

Always important, a new sponsor has secured naming rights as the team is now known as Evolution Painting and Decorating Wanganui City FC 1sts.

In a press release from City, Evolution's Andrew Dimes has supplied the team and management with dress shirts and training tops, while his logo will be on their new lock 2015 playing kit.

The other new addition this season is a 1st team manager.

"[It] is a blessing as I've never had the luxury of that in the past and I'm rapt to have secured Bryan Mackie as the 2015 manager," said coach Kelvin Francis.

"Macca and I have played together in the past and he is someone that I trust and the players respect which is vital as manager.

"His input will be valuable as he has been there, done that, at the highest level that WCFC have played at in the past."

Coming back to the Federation League, Francis said he is well aware of the challenge ahead but said his lads were up for it, looking to build on winning the 2014 Western Premiership.

City will still have a large presence in the premiership through a reserve team with Karl Hayward in charge and a "development" team under Tex Von Kwiatkowski in the same league.

Also not to overlook the City women's team, who are looking strong this season, and the Hammers who will be looking towards another Local League title to make it four years in a row. The other senior team the Thirstys are bringing some younger players on as well.