Douglas Utd 2012 Championship Coach Logan Marsh popped into The Newsport office last week to have a chat about how things are progressing at the club as the 2013 season roars into view.

First we discover that Logan has stepped down from his coaching position for this year as he will be away from the region for about eight weeks mid-season.  So James Turner has stepped up to take the reins of the Premiers and Logan is confident he'll do great job to build on last year's success.

James has indeed been instrumental in helping with the new 2013 recruitment signing three lads from the UK who have all played at a semi-professional standard.  This is good news indeed because it looks likely only four or five of last year's grand finalists will be returning to the club.

Pictured: It will be a new-look Dragons' team that will take the pitch in 2013 with many of last year's players moving on.

Ollie Moffat, who starred for the club when he joined late on in the season last year, is bringing back three UK players with him and he is confident they will fill some of the positions left by the 2012 departing players.  Two Irish lads have applied to join the club.

But the bad news from Ireland is that striker Keiran Lemon did have every intention of playing again this season but has had to return home to Ireland due to health problems.  

Logan said 'He'll be badly missed but his health comes first and we wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing again as soon as possible."

The Premiers' opening game is away to Mareeba on Saturday 6 April with kickoff at 7pm.  In fact, their first three games are away - they don't get their first home game at Cassowary Park until Round 4 on April 27. It is sure to be a cracker, a repeat of the 2012 Grand Final against Leichhardt.
 
Kevin Hamm has taken over as Head Coach of the Reserves and the club has added a third senior side to the roster by again entering a team into Division 2.  This team will be looked after by Neil Burcombe, Glen Gwynne and Darren Case.

Each week The Newsport will bring you match reports, player video interviews, club news plus details of the following week's games. The season's draw can be found on fnqfootball.com.au.

Go The Dragons