Liddy plays waiting game on future role
WESTERN Spirit player of the year Dan Liddy is waiting to see what unfolds in coming weeks before deciding his future next season.
Like many of the region's best footballers, Liddy wants to know who is coaching the Western Pride and Ipswich Knights sides in next year's higher-level competitions.
The newly formed Pride club is playing in the Australian Premier League state competition, at the same time as the Knights field a side in the revamped Brisbane Premier League.
"It's all just really up in the air at the moment,'' Liddy, 23, said.
"It's down to the next two months to see what will happen.
"There's plenty of moving around the place and you don't want to rush into any decisions.''
Having represented Ipswich against the Brisbane Roar in August, Liddy is open to playing at a higher level.
"I would like to challenge myself and see how I go in the BPL, that's for sure,'' the classy midfielder said.
"I'm not getting any younger, so the next couple of years are probably going to be the most important years, football-wise, for me.''
The former futsal representative was weighing up other considerations.
"Goodna has got a soft spot in my heart. My dad played there until he was about 30,'' said Liddy, who played his junior football with Rochedale before joining the Lions colts side.
"I only ever went back to playing outdoor soccer again to keep fit. Playing outdoor soccer developed a spark for outdoor again.
"I've got a tough decision whether I want to have a crack at the BPL or whether I'm content with staying at Spirit for another year knowing they can't get promoted.''
Although Spirit had a disappointing finish to its Division 1 season, Liddy appreciated winning his third honour in as many years since joining the club.
"It's always good to get the recognition at the end of the year,'' the playmaker said.
Spirit's leading goal scorer Matt Taylor won the other major award at the club's presentation dinner at Wolston Park Golf Club last Friday.
"Mattie was a well-deserved Players' Player,'' Liddy said.
"He was probably our signing of the year. I've known him for years and I'd never seen him play outdoor.
"This was his first year at Goodna and he came on in leaps and bounds.''
While coaches for the regional APL and BPL sides are to be finalised, Spirit officials announced their coaches for next season.
Former international player Darren Hillier will coach the top side, assisted by club technical director Billy Livingstone.
John Maconachie has been named Spirit's Reserve grade coach.
CLUB AWARDS
Division 1: Player of the Year - Daniel Liddy. Players' Player: Matt Taylor.
Reserves: Player of the Year - Robbie Livingstone.
Coaches Award: Andrew Muir.
Division 2 women: Players' Player - Kiley Fallaize. Player of the Year: Tiffany Morris. Most Improved: Shared by Kathryn Mowbray and Fiona Gammon.
Division 5 women: Players' Player - Rachel Waters. Player of the Year: Emily Johnson. Most Improved: Rachael Clacherty.
