The Murray Cup will be expanded to six teams this season with the newly-formed Wodonga Wombats to join the Border competition.

Longford, a Narrandera export, will captain-coach the Wombats in their first year, linking with close friend Sten Sakkas, who is the club’s inaugural president.

Longford played most of his football at Yanco, but also spent time at Wagga Brothers, Leeton, Narrandera, Bidgee Hurricanes and the Murray River Warriors.

He is delighted to take on his first senior coaching role.

“I’m in the process of approaching a few mates from the region and around Wagga to play,” he said.

“I just want to have a good, competitive year, so I’m after consistent numbers week in, week out.”

Longford has plans to stage an Indigenous round and an autism round as part of the club’s fundraisers.

Tony Kennedy will coach the Wombats’ league tag side.

The club will host a meet and greet at Sumsion Gardens from 4pm on Sunday.