FORTY-SECOND EDITION • SEASON 2014/15 ROUND 26 VS ADELAIDE UNITED MEMBER THANK YOU MATCH PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TASK AHEAD INSIDE THIS EDITION YUSUKE VS ELRICH • THE OUTSTANDING CAREER OF MARK BRIDGE MEMBERSHIPS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS • FOSTERING FOOTBALL IN OUR REGION PLUS A DUBIOUS CONVERSATION WITH DEXTER ROSALES THIS MATCH THIS MATCH 05 FROM A FOUNDATION MEMBER 08 06 WARM UP 08 THE TASK AHEAD 13 PLAYERS TO WATCH: YUSUKE VS ELRICH 14 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUNDHOG TUESDAY 16 TODAY'S MATCH 18 MEMBERSHIPS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS 20 SLAV'S SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 21 KEEPY-UPPY APPEARANCES UNCOVERS EXTREMELY TALENTED FANS 23 TAKE FIVE WITH STEVE KUZMANOVSKI 24 THE OUTSTANDING CAREER 14 18 OF MARK BRIDGE 25 A DUBIOUS CONVERSATION WITH DEXTER ROSALES 26 GUARDIAN FUNERALS WANDERCREW MEMBER OF THE WEEK: KATELYN NEY 27 FOSTERING FOOTBALL IN OUR REGION 29 THE ARCHIVE 30 OUR PARTNERS The views in this publication are not necessarily the views of the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Material in this publication is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the written permission of the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC. All photography courtesy of Getty Images, Steve Christo, Jarred Stedman, Ali Erhan, Atsushi Tomura, Daniel Kalisz, Ryan Pierse, Ashley Feder, Cameron Spencer, Hagen Hopkins, Brendon Thorne, Daniel Berehulak, Morne de Klerk, and Football NSW. STAY CONNECTED VISIT WSWANDERERSFC.COM.AU FOLLOW US @WSWANDERERSFC WATCH WSWANDERERSTV PROUD SUPPORTERS OF 2014/15 CORPORATE PARTNER ENJOY A HAHN SUPERDRY ON GAME DAY AT ONE OF THESE LICENSED VENUES FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN WSW GEAR Parramatta RSL Check with each venue for Terms & Conditions. 03 STAY CONNECTED | VISIT WSWANDERERSFC.COM.AU FROM A FOUNDATION MEMBER was born, bred, raised and educated Andrew Johns jerseys but these days I’m when I brought my dad to a game. I told in Western Sydney and now I live seeing kids wearing Wanderers jerseys him that he had to see what the fuss was I and work in Western Sydney. I with their favourite players’ name on all about. At his first game there was a became a Member because for the their back. Kids are getting involved moment just before kick-off where he first time since the inception of the now as they have local football players stood up and took a look around and A-League I felt a connection to a club. which they can aspire to be like and that soaked up all of the atmosphere and I am proud to be a member of the makes them proud to be from the west. noise. He watched and listened to the Western Sydney Wanderers. My wife, When I was younger I would watch RBB and had tears in his eyes. I’ll never parents and brothers are also members. overseas football on TV and would forget that moment. I’m proud to wear my colours and it’s see the crowd, would see people The Wanderers epitomise Western not just me, it’s my family, my friends supporting their teams fanatically and Sydney. We started off as underdogs; and people everywhere too. I would be envious because we didn’t people from the outside didn’t I love talking to complete strangers have that in this country. expect much of our club. What they at the local shops where I buy my I would hear about thousands of didn’t realise was that we had high morning coffee where we discuss, agree people marching to a stadium and expectations of ourselves and in the first and debate about all things Wanderers. supporters singing for the entire duration year we became Premiers and by our The Wanderers have brought such a of a match and I just accepted that third year we’d played two Grand Finals diverse community together; people because I live in Australia something like and been crwoned Champions of Asia. from different religions, cultures and that would never happen in my life time– Even when things aren’t going backgrounds have united and come only in my wildest dreams. our way….win or lose, we will together to support one team. No other When I went to my first game I always follow you! sport or club has been able to achieve this. realised that this was no longer a dream Growing up I saw kids walking but a reality. DEVRIM HUSEYIN around the street with Terry Lamb or One of the greatest moments was FOUNDATION MEMBER 6018 05 STAY CONNECTED | FOLLOW @WSWANDERERSFC WARM UP IN THE SHEDS WITH IAN CROOK @CHIPPYCROOK63 remember reading before the season Wanderers such a special club for so many started that the Wanderers had sold more people. Ultimately, we want to be a part of the Ifull memberships than any other football community here and I think that’s what we club in Western Sydney – that’s including are – when we look up at the stands and see rugby league and AFL – and it makes me thousands of people wearing Red & Black, proud to work at a club that has done so singing for the boys and trying to help them much to raise the profile of football in the across the line we know that everyone – the region and across Australia, backed by the players, the coaches, the supporters – plays ON THIS DAY most dedicated supporters in the country. their part of the success of this club. COURTESY OF ANDREW HOWE We now have over 18,700 members The Western Sydney Wanderers have @ANDYHOWE_STATTO here which is a real testament to the come a long way in just three years and passion that the people of Western we’re proud of the way our supporters have n eastern Sydney derby was held on Sydney have for the game. been with us for every minute of every Wednesday 18th April, 1990, at the Western Sydney is one of the most game, even when times have been tough. ASydney Croatian Sports Centre in culturally diverse regions in Australia but As the season comes towards a close we’re the city’s west as Sydney Olympic defeated St everyone speaks the language of football. hoping that we can keep giving crowds George 2-0 in a deferred late season game. I think that’s part of what makes the something to cheer about. A recent ‘big wet’ had rendered all other grounds unplayable. The match was significant as it kicked-off a six- WE ARE ON THE LINE FIXTURES & RESULTS match undefeated streak for Olympic – who at the time were not even in the top You may have noticed these odd Scan the QR code below for all score five – that ended in the ultimate glory. looking barcodes (see below right) updates across our Hyundai A-League, Olympic scraped into the final five throughout this edition of The Wanderer. Westfield W-League and Foxtel National at season’s end the week after, then won To get the best experience simply follow Youth League matches. four from four sudden-death finals these three easy steps: series matches to take out its first NSL STEP 1 Download a QR scanner app on Championship Grand Final, defeating your smart device Marconi 2-0 at Parramatta Stadium in STEP 2 Open the app and scan each May. It was the only time a team had QR code in The Wanderer won the Grand Final after finishing STEP 3 Enjoy your interactive fifth (or below) on the final ladder. Wanderers content 06 ROUND 26 | WANDERERS FC VS ADELAIDE UNITED WARM UP #HASHTAG Every edition we’ll publish the best tweets and instagram pics you guys tag us in. FIELD REPORTER WITH DEAN HEFFERNAN @HEFF35 e are so fortunate to be able to The enthusiastic support meant so have over 18,700 members in much to me when I pulled on the Red Wthe Wanderers family for the & Black as it does to all the players each 2014/2015 season. Integral in everything week. There is no comparison around we do on a daily basis, the members are the league to our supporters who remain YAY FOR @MSPIRA COMING a massive part of this club that push us as loyal to us this season, supporting us BACK FROM INJURY. players, coaches and staff to achieve what week after week despite results having #CCMVWSW #WSW we can for this football club. not fallen our way as regularly as we @DARENOTHOPE When I think about what the club expect from ourselves. has done on the field in the last couple Our members understand football. of seasons I have no doubt the success They love the game and they love the is a direct reflection to the support the Western Sydney region. They appreciate members provide. Our members and the efforts of the players and deserve fans have been behind us from day one our recent success. All in the Wanderers as a concept on a piece of paper growing family are grateful for their continued together to reach two Grand Finals and the support and we will strive to grasp amazing AFC Champions League win. again the success that they deserve. WENT TO MY FIRST WANDERERS GAME LAST NIGHT! SUCH A FUN TIME, I LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE OUR MOST COMMON MATCH DAY PARTNER RESULT IS A @ASHLEIGHBERIN 1-0 WIN WHICH WE HAVE ACHIEVED 14 TIMES IN THREE THAT WAS THE BEST TRIP I’VE EVER BEEN ON #WSW #WANDERERSFAMILY 1SEASONS4 @JOHNNY_CARLTON 07 STAY CONNECTED | WATCH WSWANDERERSTV THE TASK AHEAD STORY BY MATT DORMAN @MATT11DORMAN TONIGHT’S MATCH AGAINST ADELAIDE UNITED IS A CHANCE TO FINISH THE SEASON ON A HIGH.