Lee Sterrey revved up for return trip to Hunter

FORMER Newcastle United coach Lee Sterrey loves this city.During the old Breakers days he was famous for describing his side as an "old Volkswagen" travelling down the F3 when facing "Rolls Royce" clubs like Marconi.After finishing his stint with Newcastle United in the now-defunct National Soccer League in 2001, Sterrey traded in his Volkswagen for the Rolls Royce at Marconi.Two years later Sterrey was coaching the Fijian national side.Now, via a stint with NSW Super League club Granville Rage, Sterrey is back coaching at Marconi in the NSW Premier League and the Rolls Royce is heading up the F3 for Newcastle.Northern NSW side Hamilton Olympic will host Marconi on Sunday at Darling Street Oval in the first of two home-and-away trials."It's a good opportunity to take the team not too far away and play a decent club," Sterrey said."I want to keep my connections with Newcastle; it's always been good to me. I'll probably retire in Newcastle I love the joint."Sterrey and Olympic coach Bobby Naumov are good friends, dating back to their playing days at Blacktown, and they coached together at Marconi. Sterrey took over the reins at Marconi, for the second time, at the end of last season with a huge repair job needed to lift the proud Italian club from near the foot of the ladder."They didn't do well last year. They finished three from the bottom and it was Marconi's worst year ever probably they only won three games all year," Sterrey said.Sterrey has already steered Marconi to a 2-1 win over Sydney United in a trial before Christmas, and three Ivory Coast imports are due to arrive soon.Marconi have also signed 31-year-old centre-back Andrea Merenda, who has played with former Serie C1 club Calcio Lecco.Merenda unsuccessfully trialled with the Central Coast Mariners last year."We're looking at doing some things, but I still want to bring our youngsters through obviously," Sterrey said."I've always strived to bring young players through the club, and that won't change."The match will also give Naumov a chance to unveil his star signing, Josh Maguire.Maguire was the form player of the NNSW State League last year with Azzurri before having a short stint in Dubai.He joins former Azzurri goalkeeper Benn Kelly and former Lake Macquarie striker John Majourovski at Darling Street this season.Maguire and Kelly are expected to play against Marconi on Sunday.The main game kicks off at 5pm and entry is free.