Harry Royley said “there was no doubt” he would be pulling on ACE colours again in 2022 – his 14th season with our club.
“Even when (coach) Steve (Glockner) said enjoy the break, in my head it was ACE again!” the goalkeeper said.
“100 per cent easy decision. No thought of moving for me. We’ve got a new challenge and I’m keen as mustard.”
The challenge is FQPL2 – the state’s third tier under the Football Queensland restructure.
ACE will face Souths, Holland Park, Wynnum, Grange, Taringa, North Star, Magic United, Samford, Virginia, Coomera and Surfers Paradise.
It comes after Harry conceded only three goals at Wolter Park in the Premier League last season and just 15 away to earn his place in the Premier League team of the year.
A comfortable season between the posts? “No,” Harry said.
“2020 was comfortable. But, last season with (back-up keeper) Jake (Hockey) pushing me and the quality players in front of me, I had to perform every week.
“There were things I could have done better but overall, I thought I was pretty consistent.”
ACE are being considered among the favourite for the FQPL2 in 2022, based on last season’s remarkable unbeaten run, premiership and Canale Cup success.
“If we have pretty much the same team, 100 per cent I can see why some people are thinking that way,” said Harry, entering his seventh successive season with ACE.
“There are teams we played recently, who have had one season in FQPL, so they are not veterans of this level of competition.
“I think one of our strengths last season was attitude. There were times when that pulled us through games we drew or won.
“We’ll need that again next year against this level of competition and if we do lose … we’ll bounce back.”
Harry made his ACE Reserves and Senior debuts in 2016, while mainly with the City League 1 side and still eligible for the Under 18s.
In 2019 he was our first choice Premier League keeper and ever-present last season en route to the Premiership, Grand Final and Canale Cup final.
