One of Blacktown City FC’s favourite sons, Mitchell Mallia will once again call Lily Homes Stadium home after agreeing to terms with the club as coach Mark Crittenden continues his preparations for the 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
In a cruel twist of fate, Blacktown City all but looked likely to take out the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s Premiership only for Covid to strike which ultimately put an end to all football activities.
Putting that aside, Crittenden moved swiftly to recruit a couple of new faces to the club, one being a former star player in Mallia.
The 29-year-old is hoping to put his injury issues aside where the club hopes he can rediscover that blistering form that earned him A-League contracts with the Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and Perth Glory.
As one favourite son returns, another departs after Travis Major scored himself a 1-year contract deal with Indian Premier League outfit RoundGlass Punjab FC.
Along with Mallia, the club has also recruited former Western Sydney Wanderers NPL young gun Jake Trew and former Central Coast Mariners ace marksman Jordan Smylie in what is a huge acquisition for the club.
The 21-year-old made 13 appearances for the A-League senior squad and was also part of the successful Mariners Academy side led by Nick Montgomery.
Along with Major, Sean Rooney, Rhett Desilva, Suleyman Bangura and keeper Dylan Niski have all departed the club.
Blacktown City continue to be one of the benchmark teams in the NPL NSW Men’s competition coached by one of the greatest managers and mentors to have passed through these circles in ‘Critto’.
With Carlos De Oliveira, Dakota Askew, Daniel Collins, Grant Lynch, Jackson Bandiera, Jak O’Brien, Lachlan Campbell, Mario Shabow, Tristan Prendergast and skipper Matt Lewis all signing on for the 2022 season, the pain of not lifting what was theirs in 2021 due to the pandemic will certainly be a huge motivator in Blacktown City striving for glory and silverware.