ROYCE Brownlie has been appointed head coach of Moreton Bay United’s senior men’s NPL team.
Jets’ foundation captain and leading scorer returns after two seasons coaching Logan Lightning in the FQPL.
Royce has brought in Richard Greer, who also played at Logan, as his assistant and to coach Jets’ Under 20 team.
“We are delighted to have Royce with us and welcome Richard to our club,” said Jets’ chairman Greg Bradley.
“Royce knows Moreton Bay United, its aims and objectives – and has his own plans for the senior team. We look forward to working with him and Richard to achieve our goals next season.”
Royce joined Jets in 2013, the first year of the NPL and was captain for the next four seasons, scoring 68 goals in 85 games.
He won the competition’s Golden Boot in 2014 with 34 goals and captained Jets when they won the 2015 Premiership and Grand Final.
“It’s fantastic to be back,” he said. “The pitch is looking good, I think it’s going to suit our style of play and hopefully that will get the crowds coming in.
“The key is to play good football, a good brand of football that people want to watch.
“When they walk away we want them saying ‘wow what a game’. Do that and results will look after themselves.
“The main core of the squad will be back. I think they are a really talented bunch. We want to get the confidence up, get them enjoying their football and winning games.”
However, the coach said the search continues for new players – and promoting from within.
“We’re definitely looking to bring more young players up from the 18s and 20s, that is why I brought Rich in,” he said.
“In the two years at Logan I think we had 26 players come up from the 18s and 20s into the top team. If they show they are good enough, age is only a number.”
Assistant Richard Greer, 30, said he was “ready for the new challenge of coaching”.
“I spent time working with Royce (at Logan) last year and really enjoyed it,” said Richard, who also played at Gold Coast United, Olympic and in Asia.
“Moreton Bay United has always been a big club and this is an opportunity for us, as coaches, to test ourselves in the NPL. It was a massive drawcard.
“We want to get the 20s enjoying their football, then they will want to be here and will work hard as a group.
“If they do that, then I’ll be knocking on Royce’s door saying ‘play these boys’ because they deserve it.”
Royce and Richard both played in the FQPL last season, but are not planning to pull on the boots again in 2020.