He’s no relation to Everton and Qantas Socceroo star Tim, but South Coast midfielder Lachlan Cahill has signed on with the Central Coast Mariners as an injury replacement for Shane Huke.
He-s no relation to Everton and Qantas Socceroo star Tim, but South Coast midfielder Lachlan Cahill has signed on with the Central Coast Mariners as an injury replacement for Shane Huke.
Cahill arrives at Bluetongue Stadium following stints at Millwall, Norwich and last season-s League Two playoff winner Gillingham in the English lower leagues, and comes highly rated, after representing Australia at Under 17-s level.
“While it is unfortunate Wolry Wolfe-s time here wasn-t as successful as he or us would have liked, it gives Lachlan a great chance to come in and prove to us what he has got,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“Lachlan is held in very high regard by a lot of this country-s leading football people, and this is a great chance for him to prove himself at this level.”
Cahill was raised in the South Coast town of Kiama and came through the junior representative ranks before gaining his first chance with Wollongong Wolves. After moving to the US where he starred in the highly competitive college system with Coastal Carolina University, the 23-year-old tried his luck in the UK.
A left sided midfielder, Cahill is sure to give Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna another option on that side of the field.
“It gives us a chance to look at him over the next two weeks,” said Lawrie McKinna.
“He-s come in over the last two weeks and done OK at training. He-s just come back from the UK on trial, so it-s up to him now to show us what he-s got, and see if he can become a big part of the squad.
“He-s a good passer of the ball, a good crosser, and we don-t have a lot of cover for that side of the field, so it will be interesting to see how he does.”
Cahill has played alongside many of the Mariners- current stars at various levels in the past, and is keen to show his wares after impressing during a trial period.
“I just got a text message saying Central Coast Mariners were interested, so I was buzzing,” said Cahill.
“Started off in the Illawarra and was lucky enough to make some New South Wales squads, went to the (Australian) Institute (of Sport) and made the Australian Under 17-s. I know a lot of these boys, Pedj (Bojic) was 10 minutes north of me ever since I started playing representative football, Nigel Boogaard, Alex Wilkinson, I know a lot of the boys, and they are all a good bunch of blokes.
“I was at Millwall for about two months and did quite well, but they were flying at the time and you-ve just got to be in the right spot at the right time.
“I was a little rusty last week, I wasn-t too happy with myself, but I-ve felt better today, and I-m sure I-ll get better. I-m just glad I got over the line, and I just have to keep working hard,” Cahill said.
The Mariners next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against North Queensland Fury on Sunday, 11 October. Kick-off is at 3:00pm. Tickets for this match are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available online by clicking here or by phoning 1300 767 442.