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Sydney FC

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Sydney FC
Logo
Full nameSydney Football Club
Nickname(s)None
Founded2004
GroundAussie Stadium,
Sydney
Capacity41,159 (soon 45,500)
ChairmanAustralia Edmund Capon
ManagerEngland Terry Butcher
LeagueA-League
2005–061st (final)
2nd (league)

Sydney Football Club, founded in 2004, is an Australian football (soccer) club based in Sydney and competes in Australia's premier competition, the A-League. Sydney FC won the inaugural A-League Championship in 2005–06 by defeating the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in the Grand Final. After winning the 2004–05 Oceania Club Championship, Sydney FC competed in and finished fifth (of six teams) in the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship in December 2005. As A-League Champions, Sydney FC will also compete in the 2007 AFC Champions League.

Its home ground is Aussie Stadium, a 42,000 seat multi-use venue[1] in the suburb of Moore Park. Sydney FC quickly gained a reputation as the "glamour club" of the new competition,[2] due to the club's high-profile personnel, including investor and actor Anthony LaPaglia, ex-Manchester United star Dwight Yorke as the team's first "marquee player" and 1990 FIFA World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski as manager in the first season. This tag was replaced by "Budget FC" in their second season though, as the club sold Yorke and were unable to replace him due to financial constraints.[3]

History

Prehistory and foundation

The first steps towards the foundation of Sydney FC were taken in April 2004 when Soccer New South Wales announced their intention to bid for a license in the new Australian football competition.[4] The bid was lodged with the Australian Soccer Association (now Football Federation Australia)on July 19, challenged only by a consortium headed by Nick Politis, known as the "Sydney Blues",[5] for Sydney's place in the 'one team per city' competition.[6] A public row broke out between the two bidders after reports that the ASA were set to vote in favour of Sydney FC,[7] causing Politis to withdraw his support for a team,[8] and leaving Sydney FC as the only candidate remaining. Sydney was officially launched as a member of the new 8-team A-League on November 1, 2004, with a 25% stake in the club held by Soccer NSW, the remainder privately owned.[9] Walter Bugno was announced as the inaugural chairman of the club.

By February 2005, Sydney had filled 16 of their allowed 20 squad positions – attracting Socceroos Clint Bolton, Steve Corica and David Zdrilic as well as youth internationals Justin Pasfield, Mark Milligan, Wade Oostendorp, Iain Fyfe and Jacob Timpano.[10] German Pierre Littbarski was signed as Head Coach, to be assisted by former Norwich City player Ian Crook. Sydney FC played its first ever match against Manly United FC on March 25, 2005, winning 6-1.[11] Shortly after, Sydney set off on a tour to the United Arab Emirates to play matches against local teams FC Hatta, Al Ain FC and Al Jazira, winning all three.[12][13][14] Whilst in Dubai, Sydney FC announced that they had agreed to terms with former Manchester United player Dwight Yorke to join Sydney as their "marquee player" – one paid outside of the $1.5 million salary cap – for two seasons.[15]



Pre-League

Sydney FC's first competitive match was held against Queensland Roar at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford as part of an Australian qualifying tournament to enter the 2005 Oceania Club Championship. After winning the match 3-0, Sydney went on to defeat Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners to win their first piece of silverware and qualify for the Oceania Club Championship, to be held in Tahiti. Despite an early scare against New Zealand club Auckland City FC,[16] Sydney won all of their matches in the competition and qualified for the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship in Japan. The start of the 2005 Pre-Season Cup marked Sydney FC's first match at Aussie Stadium, as well as Dwight Yorke's first appearance for the club – Yorke scoring the first goal of Sydney's 3-1 win which stretched their unbeaten run to 9 competitive matches (15 including friendlies). Upon reaching the semi-finals, Sydney's unbeaten run finally ended at 11 with Perth Glory midfielder Nick Ward scoring in injury time to inflict the new club's first ever loss.[17]

International Competition

In December 2005, Sydney FC competed in the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship as the Oceania Football Confederation's entry to the tournament following their 2004-05 Oceania Club Championships success in June. On December 12, in front of a crowd of over 28,000 at Japan's Toyota Stadium, Sydney FC narrowly lost to Costa Rican champions Deportivo Saprissa 1-0, denying the club a semi–final match against European champion Liverpool. Four days later, Sydney FC defeated the African "Club of the Century" Al-Ahly 2–1 to finish the competition in fifth place.

On November 22 2006, Sydney FC and Adelaide United were chosen to be the first clubs to represent the A-League and Australia in the AFC Champions League.

League 2005-06

Sydney FC entered the inaugural A-League season as heavy favourites for the title,[18] and hosted their first league match against Melbourne Victory on August 28, 2005. This event drew a then-record crowd for a regular season match in Australia. The stated figure was 25,208, though this is likely to be an underestimation of the true crowd size as the number of people who 'walked up' to the game meant that ticket sellers at the gate were unable to cope. For only the second time in the history of the SCG Trust (the operators of Aussie Stadium), the gates were opened twenty minutes after the game had started, permitting around two–thousand fans to enter for free.[19]


Sydney playing Newcastle in a 2006 pre-season match

At the conclusion of the twenty–one game regular season, Sydney FC finished in second place, seven points behind Adelaide United. However, in the Major Semi–Final they defeated Adelaide 4–3 on aggregate, ensuring a home Grand Final which produced a sell–out crowd of 41,689 (above the stated capacity of Aussie Stadium) against the Central Coast Mariners on March 5, 2006. Sydney won the match 1–0 after Dwight Yorke set up Steve Corica for the deciding goal.

After the first season, coach Pierre Littbarski left the club following a dispute over his contract which involved a significant pay cut from his reported $700,000 first year salary. [20] [21] He was replaced by former England international and Motherwell manager Terry Butcher on May 17, 2006. [22] During the 2006 off-season, Sydney FC recruited Ruben Zadkovich (previously on a short-term contract with Sydney FC), Alex Brosque (Queensland Roar) and Jeremy Brockie (New Zealand Knights).

Stadium

Main article: Aussie Stadium

Sydney FC play their home matches at Aussie Stadium (formerly called Sydney Football Stadium). Chosen for its easy access, with shuttle buses running from nearby Central Station on match days, it has been the venue for several Australian international matches (notably the 1993 World Cup Qualifyer against Argentina). The stadium's capacity is stated at 41,159, though the attendance of the A-League grand final exceeded this number by over 500. Aussie Stadium is currently being renovated to expand the capacity to 45,500.

Media reports during the 2006 off-season suggested that the club was considering moving its home games to Telstra Stadium due to the cost of operating at Aussie Stadium, reported at $110,000 per game. [23] However, Aussie Stadium remains Sydney FC's home venue.

Kit

Sydney FC have one home and one away kit for the 2006/07 A-League season. As with all of the A-League, the kit is sponsored, designed and manufactured by Reebok. The Home kit is sky blue with blue and orange sleaves and the away kit is white with sky blue and white sleaves. Season 2006-07 of the A-League saw most clubs change their away jerseys (most notably Melbourne Victory FC, who changed to a grey jersey with a white V shape), and in light of the other clubs, Sydney FC are also looking to do the same. Changes could include a light or dark blue emblem of the Sydney Opera House, an icon around the world, or a mixed dark blue and orange and white jersey.

Sponsors

  • Healthe is currently Sydney FC's principle sponsor (chest sponsor), a deal valid until the end of the Asian Champions League, 2007.
  • Star City Sydney, the largest Casino and bar/hotel in New South Wales, is Sydney FC's title sponsor (shirt sleeve sponsor).
  • Other minor sponsors include COLBY Storage Solutions, QANTAS airlines, MUSASHI Performance Nutrition, GRAYS online auctioneers, Business Print Australia,

FOXTEL Digital Television Services Australia, Roland Corporation Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper, Sydney's Child Newspaper.

  • Sydney are supported by Soccer New South Wales, where most contracted players have spent some of their careers and where all of the 'Blues' aspiring young talents can be found.

Supporters

In the inaugural A-League season Sydney FC averaged an attendance of 19,647 (16,668 during the regular season), a record for an association football club in an Australian national league.[24]

The Cove coat of arms
The Cove coat of arms

The most vocal supporters sit at the northern end, around Bay 23 of Aussie Stadium, and are known as "The Cove". The term came from the original name given to the settlement of Sydney — Sydney Cove. This settlement was located on the piece of land that is now the Circular Quay ferry terminal. Most Cove members attend every home match while a smaller group travel around the country to support the team at away matches. They sing football/Sydney FC chants, wear club colours (sky blue in particular), wave banners and flags and generally try to help lift the team and demonstrate fervent support. Some members make unofficial Cove merchandise such as scarves, flags, banners, patches and clothing to distribute or sell.

On July 7, 2006, Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes recorded a club song entitled 'Sydney FC For Me' with 25 members of The Cove singing back-up vocals.[25]. It was released prior to the start of the 2006–07 season

Rivalries

  • Adelaide United FC are also considered rivals of Sydney FC by many fans, due to a fiery and hard-fought finals series in the 2005–06 season.
  • Sydney FC have developed a strong rivalry with Melbourne Victory FC. Matches between the two clubs have been bitter, controversial events (most notably in rd.2 of season 2006-2007, where a then record regular season crowd in Australia of 39,000 witnessed one of what many viewers world-wide regard as one of the best games of the current world football season) with numerous clashes between players and large attendances from both sets of fans (most notably the game between the two clubs in rd.16. where the largest ever attendance for a domestic football game in Australia and the second largest attendance for a game that weekend world-wide turned up to see a scoreless draw in Melbourne).

Players

Current squad

As of January 18, 2007

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Australia AUS Clint Bolton
2 DF Australia AUS Iain Fyfe
3 DF Australia AUS Alvin Ceccoli
4 DF Australia AUS Mark Rudan (captain)
6 MF Australia AUS Ufuk Talay
7 MF Australia AUS Robbie Middleby
8 MF Australia AUS Ruben Zadkovich
9 FW Australia AUS David Zdrilic
10 MF Australia AUS Steve Corica
No. Pos. Nation Player
11 FW Australia AUS Sasho Petrovski
12 MF Australia AUS David Carney
13 FW New Zealand NZL Jeremy Brockie
14 FW Australia AUS Alex Brosque
15 MF Northern Ireland NIR Terry McFlynn
16 DF Australia AUS Mark Milligan
17 DF Australia AUS Jacob Timpano
20 GK Australia AUS Justin Pasfield
21 DF Australia AUS Nikolai Topor-Stanley
28 FW Australia AUS Tallan Martin

Notable former players

See also: List of Sydney F.C. players

Managers

Achievements

2006, 2007

2007 (have qualified)

2005

Records

hello im abraham i want to join ur junior team ok i want u to help me i can from ghana im 23y old i have telst i can fine any one to help my my address is abraham agyemang 

              p,o.box nt 95
               acrra,ghana.00233

Club

Player

References

  1. ^ "Australian Stadiums: Aussie Stadium". Austadiums. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Sydney FC emerging as new league's glamour club". The Sydney Morning Herald. October 27, 2004. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Budget FC closes door on Benito". Fox Sports. November 7, 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Soccer NSW announces bid for new national league". Soccer NSW. April 7, 2004. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Kewell major player behind Sydney team: report". The Sydney Morning Herald. September 9, 2004. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Smith, Peter (July 21, 2004). "ASA delighted with number of bids for new league". Football Federation Australia. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "ASA picks Soccer NSW". The World Game. September 10, 2004. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Hall, Matthew (October 10, 2004). "Harry now a Central figure". The Sun Herald. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Birth of Sydney FC is a magical moment". November 1, 2004. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Sydney FC squad list". February 23, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Sydney FC starts with emphatic 6-1 win over Manly". April 6, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Petrovski and Carney score twice in Sydney's 7-1 win". April 12, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Talay's lone goal gives Sydney 1-0 win in Dubai". April 20, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Zdrilic goal gives Sydney 1-0 win over Al Jazira". April 20, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Yorke completes trifecta for Sydney FC". The Sydney Morning Herald. April 18, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Steve Corica wonder goal gives Sydney a 3-2 win". June 2, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Ward comes off bench to seal Perth win". August 14, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Sydney FC installed as favourites". August 10, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Sydney FC urge fans to pre purchase tickets". August 29, 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ "Littbarski commits to Sydney". April 13, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Littbarski quits, blasting club 'lies'". May 4, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Butcher named as boss of Sydney". May 17, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "Sydney FC look further afield for a new home". April 22, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "National Soccer League Attendances". AusFootballReview. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Barnesy and The Cove record Sydney FC club song". July 7, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Roar dominates but unable to break Sydney unbeaten run". August 6, 2005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help) – nb: The 17 matches quoted includes friendly matches, which are not included in this record
  27. ^ "Sydney FC vs Adelaide United FC". February 3, 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC". March 5, 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Transfers in August 2006". Football Squads. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

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