"One thing I hate doing is sitting and doing nothing," he said.

Fortunately for Yigman that isn't something he really has to worry too much about. Between working as a short term planner at the Boggabri Coal Mine, uni commitments (he is in his second year of a post graduate degree), being a father to three young girls, and now coaching the Gunnedah FC reserve grade side, it doesn't leave a lot of time of spare time.

Yigman has stepped up to the coaching role this season after first grade coach Andy Cygan as he put it: "twisted my arm".

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"I just went to the pub one weekend for a mate's 40^th birthday," Yigman explained.

Cygan and a couple of other Gunnedah FC players just happened to be there.

"They said to me 'we've been talking with the boys since Alex (coach Alexzanna Budge) left and we're thinking you're the best to take over'," he said.

The offer caught Yigman completely by surprise. It wasn't something he had really thought about before but after discussing it with wife Kathryn, he told them they he could do it.

Of Turkish heritage, soccer, or football as he calls it, has been a passion for Yigman since he was introduced to the sport as a young boy in Holland. He spent the first 13 years of his life there.

His family then moved back to Turkey, where in his late adolescence his sporting interests went in a bit of a different direction. He started playing volleyball, reaching a semi-professional level.

Volleyball continued to be his focus through a two year exchange in the US, and after moving out to Australia his intent was to continue with his volleyball career.

"But it was so different here to in Europe and the states," he said.

"That was it for my volleyball career and I thought I'd got back to football."

Initially playing with Balmain he did go on to play a couple of seasons of State League with Gladesville but an ACL injury put an end to that.

He and and Kathryn relocated to Gunnedah, where she was from, in late 2011, preferring the country life to raise a family. They have since welcomed Ayla (7), Suzannah (5) and Lucy (2).

Yigman started training with what was then Gunnedah United the following year but through injury and then work commitments his time on the pitch, with United and then FC, has been limited. But he has retained a strong connection with club, going to training when he can mainly to keep fit.

So far things are traveling along pretty well for the reserve grade side. Heading into Saturday's clash with Quirindi in Gunnedah, they have won three of their five games.

Yigman paid credit to his predecessor.

"I know I have big shoes to fill," he said.

"I recognise all the efforts she's (Budge) put in."