Pryce was the sort of player every club needs. A team man, a top bloke and a brilliantly reliable defender.

An unassuming working class hero who grew out of the Hunter’s thriving football culture, Pryce was developed through Adamstown Rosebuds before John Kosmina signed him to Newcastle Breakers in the mid-90s and later made him his captain aged just 23.

But after five seasons with the modest Novocastrian outfit he'd paid his dues and was duly head-hunted by coach Bernd Stange at cashed up Perth Glory. There he won silverware during the club’s NSL golden era.

Between the NSL finishing and A-League kicking off, Pryce headed to Singapore’s Sengkang Marine before returning to semi-pro football in Newcastle at Highfields Azzurri.

A chance with Queensland Roar came up but a knee injury scuppered any chance of the deal going ahead when Pryce was told he would never play elite level football again.

So he headed back West to play for local side Inglewood United. The now 37-year-old is still there, and he's into his second season as head coach.

Pryce spoke with Aidan Ormond…

Shane, it's obviously a club you have strong links with... ever think about returning to the area?

My heart’s always at home in Newcastle and it would make a great story not only to have been captain but to maybe one day coach the town that you represented. Football is unpredictable and anything can happen and I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it, but maybe after I settle down when I’m 50-years-old or so would be good!

What's been your take on the Jets side this year?

The experienced senior players really stepped up with some great, consistent performances. The spine of the team with Ljubo Milicevic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Kasey Wehrman - who I believe was the main difference with him controlling the centre of the park and dictating the pace and direction of the game.

 Give us an insight into what life was like as a footballer in Newcastle back in the 1990s?

 At the time Adamstown Rosebuds was the strongest club in the north with a great history and great players and at a young age I was privileged to be a part of that. It was the old school of “Train hard, play hard, drink hard” but you still had to perform and I was lucky enough to look up to players like John McQuarrie, Neil Owens and Graham Jennings.

Then to be given an opportunity by John Kosmina to be part of Newcastle Breakers was a dream come true and for him to have the faith in me by making me captain meant a lot.

I’ve always had respect for Kossie even though we had more than a few run-ins my time at the club but it was invaluable to me to play with the likes of Ralph Maier, David Lowe, Troy Halpin, Bob Catlin, Robbie Ironside, Andy Harper to name a few.

For all the Newcastle fans who still remember you, what's your message to them?

The Breakers fans were great, they stuck by a side made up of local players with a few signings from Sydney clubs, they turned up to Birmingham Gardens to watch players give their all and we had a close relationship with them cause we lived down the road or we would see them at the shop through the week.

You were always accountable, we were never going to win a title, but we knocked over a few heavyweights and our fans would let them know it. Thanks for the memories.

How did the move to Glory come about?
Newcastle was in financial trouble - not the first time - and I think [former Newcastle star] Troy Halpin was playing for Glory. He put in a word and their German coach Berndt Stange rated me so I was off to other side of the country: from $250-a-week to full-time and the opportunity to play alongside some of the best players in Australia at the time.

It did leave a bit of an empty hole in the guts as I felt I was letting my mates down but a championship made up for that.

You played around 80 games for Perth in what was a golden time for the club. What were some of your best memories at the club? 

You’d probably think winning the grand final at Subiaco in front of 42,000 fanatical fans. Well it is in a way, but up there with it would have been the home semi final against Newcastle where we beat them and I played a part in that. It felt as if my decision to leave was vindicated and I could return home and not get bagged out, even though we just held on at Energy Australia in the return leg.

You just missed the A-League. How do you think you might have gone?

I think all passionate footballers want play as long as they can and that’s how I feel, but a wise man once told me “Don’t mix up your ambitions, with your ability”. So I don’t miss not playing in the A league.

I believe the Perth Glory side I was in at its peak would give current A-League teams a run for their money - but you can get yourself into trouble trying to compare different eras

You're now into your second year coaching Inglewood. Tell us more about that? And what are your ambitions in the coaching world? 

It’s a great club with great facilities and I’m learning every day. I’m thankful for the opportunity the board have given me. I have a long, long way to go but I’m enjoying the challenge. Football can give you the greatest joy then tear your heart out but you always have next week to make amends - if you still have a job that is.

I just want learn and take in as much as I can and help improve players to be better footballers then I will feel as if I have achieved something - because you never know where this game will take you.

And are you still in contact with another former Breakers favourite Scotty Thomas? 

Yeah I still catch up with “Tomahawk” now and then when I’m back in town. I also see a few of the other players and that camaraderie and respect is never lost. It’s always great to have lemonade or 13 with the boys.