Say what you will about the Western Sydney Wanderers, there’s no denying they have made a great start to their inaugural season.
Sydney’s second A-League club have already broken the average attendance of the now defunct Gold Coast (in pre-season fixtures), successfully engaged the community and united the forces of Sydney’s West.
The Wanderers could well be a future A-League powerhouse.
The West truly has risen.
Of course though, harsh criticisms have come the Wanderers way, and many of you reading this article may very well have passed prejudicial judgment on the fledging young club based on my comments in the last paragraph.
Any merits in such arguments are more than not destroyed by the posters themselves. Now yes we agree that we have only played two matches against state opposition, but that doesn’t mean we will agree with your ill-fated argument that the club will inevitably fail.
Tell me why this will happen?
Yes the FFA are running this football club, and as much as we all love to hate the FFA and its decisions, they have actually done something right. This has very well been acknowledged by many fans on various discussion boards, who are seemingly shocked at the successful start this venture has encountered.
Which brings me back to my point, this football club is in Western Sydney. The true heartland of soccer/football in this country, and it is futile to simply debate this.
Our sporting folklore dictated that one of the first (if not the first) football match was played here: the Wanderers versus Kings XV in Parramatta Commons.
Do we really want to dispose of the history of our beloved sport because our petty attitude toward the FFA and Sydney dictates as such? The Western Sydney Wanderers represent this history. They represent the people of Western Sydney.
For the first time, the FFA built this club on the people. I attended those fan forums, there was no faux voting, no hoax. The fans built this club and shaped it to what they all really wanted.
This was a club for the people and it is here to stay. For the first time, small droves of die-hard NSL fanatics have risen to join a club which they can call theirs.
This is a club that drew 3,500 to their first ever pre-season friendly on a freezing Wednesday night in Suburban Penrith. A club that drew 4,200 to a freezing Blacktown to impress once again on the park.
The same club that draws 100-200 active supporters in the Red and Black Bloc.
Without even having played a game, the Red and Black Bloc drew 100-110 active supporters to their match at Penrith, and more at the match in Blacktown. This is a group that is making some noise, so keep your ears out for home games at Parramatta.
This is a club that is here to stay. The FFA have done it right, the people made their choice and the people of Western Sydney have their football club.
Whatever you say, the Red Black Bloc is here to stay, The Western Sydney Wanderers are here to stay, and if things keep progressing as they go, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Kasey
Guest
Great, now the bitters can bang on about Hakoah v2 vs Croatia v2;-) troll away bitters.
Kasey
Guest
It appears Kresinger has also represented Croatia at junior level...from the Croatian FA website: 4 caps at U/17 and one at u/20. http://www.hns-cff.hr/?ln=en&w=statistike&id=23525
Kasey
Guest
Definitely a point of difference, while everyone else is busy signing South Americans, the Wanderers have plumped for 2 Europeans. More reflective of the WS population perhaps? If they score a bunch of goals and play attractive football this team will be turning people away with regularity I reckon. Looking forward to my away trip there in December.
Gwils
Guest
Dino Kresinger a good signing, been playing for Cibalia, who came 5th last season in the top Croatian league. Has scored 29 goals in 130 games in last 5 seasons. Will attract plenty through the gate.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Just announced: WSW has confirmed the signing of Croatians Dino Kresinger and Mateo Poljak. Kresinger is a 30-year-old striker, with extensive experience in the Croatian league Poljak is a 22-year-old, who has represented the Croatian u19 side. Read more: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/Kresinger-and-Poljak-Join-the-Wanderers/48503
Kasey
Guest
2 Croatians - Western Sydney Wanderers FC today confirmed the signing of their first 2 foreign imports, with Croatians FW - Dino Kresinger(30) and AM - Mateo Poljak(22) agreeing to terms with the club. Poljak has represented Croatia at Under 19 level. “Dino is someone that is the ultimate professional, he’s been in the game for a long time and wants to do well in Australia,” he added. “Mateo is very technical and he has high aspirations to perform well in Australia, he sees this as a great challenge for him to have and be out of his comfort zone is something that he is looking forward to.” Popa http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wswanderersfc/news-display/Kresinger-and-Poljak-Join-the-Wanderers/48503
Kasey
Guest
Reports state that WSW will unveil 2 foreign signings this morning at 10am AEST. Given that the rest of the squad appear to be the 'solid signings' that usually form the basics of any squad, this is their chance to dazzle. What odds on the new players being South American? I have been of the opinion that HAL recruiting managers have been looking in the wrong direction for a few years now, rather than looking East over the Pacific Ocean to South America; I’d like to see more teams looking West over the Indian Ocean to Africa.
Kasey
Guest
Cheers Mid, Am I getting too far ahead of myself? I love the feeling coming from this new team. Parramatta Stadium only holds 21k. If you are a theatre-going fan and you intend to get along to the WSW v SFC derbies, you might find yourself disappointed. I am 100% sure they'll sell out these derby games - I cant wait to read the press following them, meaning the only way to get a ticket will be as an away fan with the Sky Blues or to buy a membership of WSW, exactly why so many were against any games at ANZ:) So many things actually going right for football, good decisions being made and it seems rewarded.
Midfielder
Guest
Kasey You placed your link to far back... http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/a-league/wanderers-winning-local-hearts-and-minds-20120809-23wjo.html#ixzz231um2dPy 3.5 K paying fans....plus a few hundred non paying....1, 500 members .... starting to look good ...
Kasey
Guest
The buzz continues for the HALs newest team... DateAugust 9, 2012 - 2:34PM There hasn't been a night like it at the 'Gabbie' since the salad days of Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan. Officially, a crowd of 3472 turned up for the visit of A-League newcomers Western Sydney Wanderers to what is known these days as Lily Homes Stadium. Unofficially, a few hundred more snuck in as NSW Premier League side Blacktown City welcomed the Wanderers to their compact Seven Hills ground on Wednesday night. Ken Schembri, who's been around the Demons since they were known as Toongabbie during the 1960s, isn't easily impressed. But he's sensing something in the air. "It's [Wanderers] going to work," says the Demons general manager. "At the game there were so many people from the local area, from the local clubs, who never usually come to our ground. People are inquisitive, no doubt about it. I've been around here all my life, and for the first time you can feel there's a football club that's going to have a genuine community engagement. I'm excited." Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/a-league/wanderers-winning-local-hearts-and-minds-20120809-23wjo.html#ixzz231um2dPy
micka
Guest
Sorry Minister, just a bit of an exercise in role reversal to be honest. I think a lot can be learned for changing the names of different codes' teams in a news article or theroar post. As I very rarely say, "what's good for the goose".
Kasey
Guest
Great news just posted on the WSW FB page 1400AEST 6/8/12, WSW in less than 1 week have sold over 1200 Foundation Members and passed 5000 'Likes' on Facebook! Loving the buzz around this new team, what a boost for football in Australia to finally have a team in this heartland region!
micka
Guest
Nice one Midfielder The corresponding page in the SMH was a story about a kid having a kick of the Sherrin out in Parramatta with his mate. The headline was "Imperialist AFL jackboots trample fabric of Sydney's West, eats babies" Fozzy's opinion piece was titled "AFL Illuminati Lizard people control Australian media, eats babies" I nearly choked on my weetbix. How did Fozzy miss the fact that Andrew D. is a Freemason?
Minister for Information for the Democratic People's Republic of Football
Guest
Except this isn't a case of expansion in the GWS sense micka. It's a case of reconciliation. It's not a case of "Build it and they will come." but instead "We're here, so build it for us!" Maybe this comes across as over-confident but we have reason to be. In hindsight it was the right choice to introduce Sydney FC to the A-League first and foremost which gave them a chance to establish themselves within the Sydney market because if WSW had come in first and SFC were introduced now they would find it a lot harder to gain a foothold.
micka
Guest
".....successfully engaged the community and united the forces of Sydney’s West. The Wanderers could well be a future A-League powerhouse." That sounds very arrogant. Sydneys West hate arrogance and WILL NOT be lumped in together as a single demographic. The area is far to diverse to be lumped into a pidgeon hole together. The resources that the FFA are pumping into this club mean that they should be a powerhouse, BUT is the FFA supporting current clubs that are in trouble? Expansion is a funny, funny game hey...
Stevo
Roar Rookie
You seem a "bit sensitive" Mike even though the vast majority of people are wishing WSW all the very best. I think you're going to have to get used to some "friendly" banter - heck even us HeartFC couldn't give a rats about the ongoing Victree thread called "F---- off Heart". The Blue half reckon they own Melbourne but we've given them a lesson in the derbies. Good luck to you and look forward to our encounter at AAMI.
DAVID WOOD
Guest
Will be interesting to see if they can get alienated State League fans on board as (lapsed) supporters of Sydney Olympic seem to have a grudge against the A League.Perhaps a few State League players in the squad may encourage them to get over it..
Midfielder
Guest
Sean What crowd are you expecting .... the Demons sorry City now .... years ago I lived in Marayong and the Blacktown Demons were my team and I have always tho Gabbie stadium is the best located stadium in Sydney .... Saw Ian Rush play there for the Demons .... also many Mariners have played for the Demons or are sent there to keep fit... With the club house and a nice grand stand should be a great night ... go the Demons [sorry City] old habits die hard...
Sean
Guest
Have to say, best thing that's happened to the League for while. The positivity surrounding the club and the amount of press it is achieving (in the offseason, during the R/L, AFL, Olympics etc) is encouraging. The squad is building nicely, the Club is finding it's feet and the RBB are growing everyday. westsydneyfootball.com (supporters forum) continues attracting more supporters and setting new records each month. See you all Wednesday night at Blacktown City FC. RBB, RBB, RBB
Squizz
Guest
The FFA have already done a lot of canvassing about what people want to see in an FFA cup.