Waikato FC coach Declan Edge will be joined by two former team-mates on this season's staff.

Edge has enlisted the services of former Mt Maunganui national league team-mate Mervyn Montgomery as his assistant coach for the 2012/13 ASB Premiership campaign, while Mark Cossey, who had spells alongside Edge with Mt Maunganui, Waikato United and the All Whites, will be in charge of the youth side.

Montgomery, 52, has coached the Tauranga City United side during this season's Northern League Division Two competition.

The holder of a New Zealand international team coaching licence and a coach educator's licence, Montgomery also worked as Auckland Football Federation's director of coaching in 2003 and 2004.

He made over 100 national league appearances for Mt Maunganui, playing alongside Edge for about five seasons, and with Cossey for two seasons.

He also made six appearances for Waikato United in 1994.

Montgomery, who is based in Matamata, where he works as a project manager for Northpower, said his closer location to Waikato's Hamilton base prompted him to seek involvement with the franchise.

"I've always been passionate about the game," Montgomery said.

"While I haven't seen a lot of Waikato in recent seasons, many of Declan's values are really good and the challenge now is to balance that with results."

A young Waikato FC side finished seventh in the eight-team league under Edge's guidance last season.

Cossey has been in charge of Northern League premier division outfit Hamilton Wanderers for the past eight seasons, producing impressive results in recent years. It will be his third spell as Waikato youth team coach.

Cossey works fulltime as a coach, also overseeing Metro youth teams and schoolboy academies.

"I work 24-7 in football, so it made sense to be involved with Waikato," Cossey said.

"There are a lot of good young players around the traps in the Waikato and we need [to] make the best of them."

He said winter rivalries need not interfere with relationships at Premiership level.

Edge was also in charge of Cossey's cross-town premier division rivals Melville United this year. However, he was not reappointed after Melville were relegated.

"I grew up with Declan and know he has some good ideas," Cossey said.

"With some give and take, I am sure we can work together."

Edge welcomed the arrival of Montgomery and Cossey.

"They're two good old friends and I am very much looking forward to working with them. Together we want to make Waikato FC the best it can be."

Neil Mouncher will continue as goalkeeping coach and Graham Nobilo will return as team manager.

The Premiership draw is expected to be released next week but the season is to start on November 4, with the last round prior to Christmas on December 16 and the grand final scheduled for March 17. The O-League will be played during May-July and will not interrupt the Premiership. The National Youth League will start in mid-January.

- © Fairfax NZ News