Ally Russell has this week returned to ACE – his “football home”.
The striker spent pre-season at Caboolture, but felt he wasn’t enjoying his football and returned for a fifth year with ACE.
“This is no reflection on Caboolture,” Ally said. “There are good people right around that club and I hope there are no hard feelings.
“This only came about in the last few days. I wasn’t enjoying my football and I feel this (ACE) is my football home.”
The 28-year-old scored 60 goals in 52 Brisbane Premier League matches for ACE from 2019-21 and 20 goals in 22 FQPL2 games last season.
He also won two BPL Premierships, a Grand Final (scoring once goal), the Canale Cup, two Club Championships, shared the BPL Golden Boot and made the BPL Team of the Year.
Last season Ally helped ACE finish runners-up in FQPL2, winning promotion to FQPL1 and was in the FQPL 2 Team of the Season.
Coach Steve Glockner said he was “very happy” to have the striker back and “he will play an important part in our season”.
However, Ally knows a big challenge awaits as our new-look ACE squad prepares for its debut in FQPL 1 – the state’s second tier.
“I don’t think it will just be about survival,” Ally said, “obviously there are good teams and we will need to set ourselves high standards.
“It would be good to try win the league but the top four and finals may be more realistic. I’m sure we’ll do as well as we can.
“Wolter Park is a hard place for teams to come, so hopefully we can get a bit of form going into the (FQPL 1) season.
“I’m looking forward to it, coming back and trying to get myself into what is a young squad.
“I don’t know much about the team, to be honest. Obviously, I remember Harry (Royley), YuYa (Ono), Jay (Brindell-South), Dylan (Moore) and Jarod Moran is back, which is a big help. He’s a top player.
“I’ll just try to help the lads as best I can, score goals and win games, hopefully.”
