For the first time in Pakenham United’s history both the seniors and reserves sides finished in the top four of their respective competitions his year.
Competing in the State League 5 competition in 2025, outgoing coach Dean Alburey had bold ambitions to take the club from consecutive bottom-two finishes to promotion.
While the seniors fell short of that with a 9-2-8 record, a top-four finish represented a significant step forward in Alburey’s only season at the club.
The reserves took out the title with an 18-1 record, with huge numbers representing the team and providing depth for the seniors as a consequence.
Alburey can hardly believe the improvement himself in just one season of football.
“To come from the worst state the club has been in to the football program that we have now is unbelievable,” Alburey said.
“I’m very proud and thankful for the people we brought in to help it happen.
“We’ve put the right people in the right places: it’s a big turnaround in a single season.
“We had a very strong second half of the season.
“We made some tough calls and were able to turn the narrative around and finish strong.
“We needed to address some attitudes and things like that in the playing group, and how we were approaching things as well, but on the whole it’s been positive.”
There was a significant shift at the midway point of the season when Pakenham reconfigured how it wanted the club to look going forward, realising they would fall short of promotion.
It led to a 6-3 record in their last nine games and having 58 players across the board represent the reserves side underlines the increasing depth of the club.
Alburey leaves the club due to work commitments, with Pakenham settling on a new coach which will be announced in due course.
“We have the right playing group and people who are fighting for the badge who want to be at the club so I think all round the club is in a good place,” Alburey said.
“There is a buzz and people want to be involved.
“It was a topsy turvy year and we finished strong.
“I feel like I have unfinished business but I can comfortably say I leave the club in a better place than I found it in.
“From 12 months ago to what we’re handing over to the next guy, we can be happy with what’s been achieved.
“I’m excited to see what next year holds for the club so fingers crossed they can do bigger and better things.
“I think the club has learned a lot of lessons so there is a lot to be excited about.”
