New Newcastle Jets captain and returning local boy Nigel Boogaard plans to tone down his white line fever, as the club strives to rebound from their worst ever A-League campaign.
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The Jets finished last on the ladder in 2014-15 with just three wins in a season blighted by off-field turmoil as well as on-field failure.
CEO Robbie Middleby and chairman Ray Baartz resigned during the mid-season break, several players were released around that time and uncertainty swirled over the club’s ownership and licence.
Football Federation Australia terminated the club’s licence and then issued one for a new team and replaced the coaching staff, including head coach Phil Stubbins.
The Jets haven’t made the finals for five seasons and Newcastle-born central defender Boogaard, son of former Weston Bears coach and KB United player Michael, is hoping to oversee a revival for his home town club, who he joined from A-League rivals Adelaide.
“This club has got great history before the A-League and now with the A-League, so hopefully this year we can turn things around and do the town proud,” Boogaard said on Monday.
An uncompromising defender, Boogaard, 29, has collected his share of red and yellow cards.
“You’re always going to get a little bit of white line fever out of myself, but I obviously have to tone that down a little bit,” Boogaard said.
“Being a leader I don’t want to over step the mark, but it will be hard for me to change that playing technique.”
He’s not fussed pundits are tipping another tough season near the foot of the ladder for the Jets.
“I don’t know many people who don’t like being the underdog, to be honest with you,” Boogaard said.
“I think it’s good to take into every game and we won’t talk outside the field, we’ll do our talking out on the park.”
Boogaard believes the Jets can change the sceptics’ minds with a strong performance in their season opener away to Wellington next Sunday.
“To be able to go there and get a result, I think that will maybe sway a few people’s opinions,” Boogaard said.
He said captaining his home town club was special, but stressed the Jets would need leadership all over the field.
“The responsibility [of being captain] is huge, especially at this time and place with the club and everything that has gone on in the past,” Boogaard said.
“I think we’re turning a new leaf and to be part of that is something special.
“We’ve bonded well and gelled well and this year for us to be successful, we need 11 leaders and those boys coming off the bench making an impact.”