It would be hard to find anyone who does not have more passion for football and Goonellabah Hornets than Michael Primiano.

Last season Primiano was President of his beloved Goonellabah Hornets, where he began playing at Under 7s. He coached the Hornets' Under 13s and Under 16s sides and has been coaching the kids for the past 10 years. He also coached the Liverpool Football Club Academy Under 10 and Under 14s at Southern Cross University, Lismore, where he works.

Primiano has been appointed coach of Goonellabah Hornets' First Grade side who will be in the Football Far North Coast Premier League.

"There will be younger boys coming through the ranks this coming season than we have had in previous years," Primiano said.

He revealed that last season's coach John Eakin and captain Lloyd Howard will be helping train the younger players but both will have said they do not want to be in the First Grade side.

"Lloyd is looking superb and John is pretty fit. They will let the younger boys know what is expected - they train hard and play hard. It is not high school stuff any more," said Primiano.

The Hornets finished seventh last season, and Primiano is hoping for a higher finish this season.

"We're all hoping to improve on that," he said.

Goonellabah Hornets, who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, won the Premier League Grand Final in 2011 in a famous 5-0 victory over Richmond Rovers with goals to Sam Ireland, Cameron Rippon, Matt Dorigo, Dave Annetts and Cerys Hawkins and in 1995, 1994. The Hornets were minor premiers in 1983, 1998, 2005, 2010 and 2016.