By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pakenham United Soccer Club is set to welcome long time club member Dean Alburey as coach for the 2025 season.
Alburey is regarded highly in south eastern soccer cirles, with his time in the game including a successful coaching stint at semi-professional club Dandenong City, which competes in the National Premier League (NPL).
His reputation opened up several coaching opportunities for him, but he has opted to take the role at Pakenham, a club he helped found in 2012.
The club is hopeful his arrival will herald a new chapter, having struggled on and off the field in recent seasons.
A bottom-three finish in the State League 5 men’s south competition for the fourth consecutive season appears all but certain, a product of high list turnover in recent years.
Alburey is insistent on lifting the club out of the doldrums and making it a place people want to come to.
“The first chat I had with the boys was to let them know we’re not worried about results at the moment,” Alburey explained.
“Next season isn’t about results.
“I think we will improve the results but the main focus is finding the culture and behaviours we need to build a sustainable future.
“As with any change, there will be people who aren’t happy, so it’s about weeding that out and finding the right people to build around.
“Once we sort that out, people coming in will mesh to what the majority is doing so setting clear expectations is a big part of it.”
Hope, community and appreciation are three values Alburey wants to build the club on.
Part of that is partnering with organisations and charities to become a positive presence in the region.
The club has already committed to partnering with Have Hope, which works with at-risk people and is based in the Cardinia Shire.
Thursday night dinners will also be introduced next season as part of a generous donation from a club stalwart.
That will tighten the bonds among club people, while Alburey is also keen to invite struggling families to enjoy a dinner supplied by the club.
“It’s important I drive community awareness to the boys,” Alburey said.
“It’s our community and we can see it so as a community club, I feel we have a responibility to do what we can to help.”
Given the growth corridor that Pakenham is situated in, demographic of migrant families from soccer-playing nations and facilities, there is optimism for the long-term future of the club.
Participation rates remain healthy, but the level that the senior side competes in needs to improve to attract talent and retain juniors.
“I think on the pitch, we can agree we’re struggling,” Alburey said.
“I took my first training (two weeks ago) and the boys tried their hearts out but were undercooked so some of the decision-making wasn’t as sharp as it could have been.
“There’s a lot that can be done to improve the culture of the club.
“We have some of the best facilities in the state so it’s about showing people there’s something a bit different going on and hoping they come down and have a look.”
Alburey has a handy list of players and football people he’s worked alongside during his time involved in the game which he’ll draw on as he seeks to elevate Pakenham.
While he’s coming back from a higher level of coaching, he will maintain a strong philosophy which drove much of the NPL success he experienced.
“I try to empower players,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what I know, if the boys don’t want to execute on the pitch, the knowledge is not worth knowing.
“It’s about giving players belief and I’m passionate about letting players be themselves and do their thing within a structure.
“I say to my players ‘it’s your team, I’m just here to guide you.’
“It’s about letting them enjoy the game as well – people can forget about that with seniors but it is so important to incorporate.”
