Last week, I was able to enjoy a football match without the distraction of others.
For the uninitiated, such an unaccompanied trip might seem daunting. However, once you make the effort, you realise nobody is really on one’s own, especially in a crowd of over 4000 people.
It was an FFA Cup game at Leichhardt Oval, and I was by myself, having decided to spend an evening on the grassy hill, watching APIA play the Wanderers.
There were a few other solitary fans, dressed in casual gear, possibly also neutral supporters as well.
Sitting on the wet turf, I didn’t whisper a word to them. Instead, I politely cheered, modestly at first, while the sun drifted over the western stands.
Then, Jason Romero struck. As the sky illuminated a faint orange glow, the APIA forward bamboozled the Wanderers’ sluggish defence, slotting the ball home.
Twilight had arrived, and the crowd cheered, many pumping their fists towards the heavens. For a brief moment, we were harmoniously linked.
While on the pitch, under a sweaty tuft of ginger hair, hunched an exiled Scotsman, rueing his younger Wanderers’ teammates.
Only half an hour had passed, but you could already tell the sun had truly set on a tired Ziggy Gordon.
That’s when I knew Western Sydney was playing disjointed football, each man working individually, not as a team.
It’s when APIA’s men raised their voices, some howling words of encouragement within the group, others snarling at the opposition.
Somehow, Leichhardt had mentally bullied Western Sydney into submission. They had made the Wanderers believe they were alone.
That evening, I had felt the exact same way before I left the house. After lacing up, I paced in front of the mirror, listening to my supportive coach.
“Just go,” said my reassuring wife, noticing my anxiety. “You’ll enjoy yourself.”
It was a waxing crescent moon that night. A fresh beginning.
For APIA, it was a chance to mark their territory, cementing the club’s reputation as the Inner West’s “icon and institution”.
A bold statement, no doubt. In fact, this is the direct quote to a banner sprawled outside Leichhardt’s historic town hall. You’ll see it on Norton Street.
Yes, I’ll be there for the next game, Mr Billboard. It’ll be the quarter-finals, after all. “Don’t miss the Leichhardt sporting event of the decade”.
In a sea of blue shirts, I’ll be the individual island, all dressed in yellow. Just look out for the albatross around my neck.
At work
Roar Rookie
I often get to games solo for a variety of reasons. In the past it was because mates who were members or liked to go moved either up out state or too far north to make it inconvenient to go to games. Now got a new mate who is a member, but he's got a new baby just on board so getting out of the house to games is quite difficult. While its often easier to pay closer attention to the game, it can also be a little boring when you want to rant but there's nobody sitting next to you :laughing:
Brendan
Roar Pro
You’re right. I faintly recall FC considering Brookvale as a venue. It literally has a rusty, or rustic, charm. North Sydney’s nice, but you’d need to remove the cricket pitch first. Chatswood Oval could be upgraded, but I’d doubt council would support it.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Sport acts as a brilliant social conductor. I always thought clubs should give their fans complimentary jerseys, as we’re advertising their brand to the world.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Adelaide has also had an offer for Ben Halloran, the player is happy in SA but would like to try his luck in japan again before his career is over. he is on one of the best contracts and wages with adelaide – the club has rejected the first approach, i’d expect another offer which would make the move appealing to adelaide 2-3 youth team players have also had interest from rival a league clubs and possibly could be on the move in january as well.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I have a t-shirt with the Vasco da Gama logo on it – I’m not a fan, just like the design. . It’s started multiple conversations with Brazilian students.
Brendan
Roar Pro
There you go - the system works. José Mourinho approves. I’ve always liked Roma’s jersey.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Wore a Roma shirt on the way home from a social game and it instantly started a conversation with a random human :thumbup:
Maximus Insight
Guest
I had assumed this would be an ode to Western United....
chris
Guest
Brendan I remember Brookvale Oval was touted a potential stadium for SFC to play out of over the past couple of seasons. That place should be condemned and when you think about it, there is no place north of the bridge suitable really.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Yup, I certainly hear you. The journey can often be the destination. Your average football game goes for 90 minutes. However, the planning & anticipation of a live match is longer, with memories that last forever.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Sydney’s games usually have a great atmosphere, & The Cove can be pretty vocal too. I wouldn’t mind if FC took a few matches north of the bridge.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Deng is quality. Green Gully’s had some star players (plus coaches) come through that club.
Brendan
Roar Pro
For sure, I think we’re all football managers at heart. You can sometimes spot the fanatic, checking the statistics on their phone, eyes darting back to the pitch. I keep telling myself to ignore the “possession” percentages at half time, but sport is a numbers game, & I’m hooked.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Agreed. I tend to enjoy the suburban grounds - boutique stadiums with wooden benches & tinny canteens. I once wore a Sporting CP jersey to a Fraser Park match in Marrickville, & it was like magical currency. I received a few nods of approval from the Portuguese community.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
AA At an Australian trials... how can you tell the players from SA???? They are all walking backwards holding their trays in the canteen.... SA is full of defenders ... but no one in attack except the piss ant ....
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i dont think SA NPL is under rated at all - it would be right up there with most talent to come out of a city per population lots of really good central defenders in the NPL that deserve chances. still shocked that nobody has signed marco jankovic from south melbourne, he is the best NPL defender in the country - hes been looked at by a lot of a league teams over the years, but not have recruited him just signed a new contract with south melbourne as well
sportstar111
Roar Rookie
barr has been consistently excellent at npl level and npl sa is the most underrated npl in the country imo
AGO74
Guest
One door shuts for Thomas Deng and AU - another opens via Lachlan Barr. Good luck to him.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Good stuff, Brendan. Back in the pre-COVID world, work would occasionally take me to Sydney or Melbourne. I would usually stay an extra day or two and go to a rugby league and/or football match on my lonesome. I miss that in the new world of video conferencing and not leaving one's home state.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Nice piece. I've often gone to Sydney FC games by myself when my mates weren't available and must say, I enjoy the experience.