Western Sydney Wanderers: What went right?
The competition's newest club wants to become its biggest success after a superb debut season, writes Sebastian Hassett.
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LYALL Gorman cannot quite believe his eyes. In front of him stands a raucous crowd, singing and chanting for their team, the Western Sydney Wanderers.
The only unusual thing is it's in the middle of a shopping centre, not a stadium. ''We don't see any reason why we can't become like the Collingwood or the Brisbane Broncos of the A-League,'' he says. ''We've got something special here. Can you imagine what it will be like in five years' time?''
The club's executive chairman is not wrong. While Sydney FC are in the throes of a fleeting Italian love affair, the other half of the city - the western half - is in the heady, early days of a long-term relationship.
They are not just the A-League's new boys. The Wanderers are making extraordinary strides towards cracking the holy grail of Australia's four football codes: western Sydney.
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Suddenly, the half-full crowds at NRL matches seem muted by comparison. Unlike the Greater Western Sydney Giants, the Wanderers aren't just competitive - they're winning. But if you listen to those closest to the story, it's no surprise. All they needed was a team. Now they've got one, and they're all singing for the Wanderers.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Officially, John Tsatsimas is the Wanderers' general manager. A better description would be the Vitruvian Man, for Tsatsimas seems to have his hands on several levers at once. ''This job,'' he said, ''is not for somebody who likes their sleep.''
Make no bones about it - this is the guy who makes Wanderers tick. Frank Lowy might be the one ordering Football Federation Australia to open the cheque book, but Tsatsimas is the leader at the coalface.
He used to work for ex-Newcastle owner Con Constantine, which is how he got involved in football. As Constantine's money ran out, Tsatsimas tried to patch things together. It was a thankless task but many realised he was destined for bigger things in the game.
Though the Wanderers' start-up job could hardly be described as easier than the rent-a-crisis Newcastle role, the heart works in mysterious ways and football sucked him back in. ''What can I say, I'm a western Sydney boy through and through. When I took the job, I certainly wasn't going to let this club fail,'' he said. ''I felt the momentum was there for something special to happen. When I sat down to look at the blueprint with Lyall and Tony [Popovic], I realised that if we could do this right, we could do something spectacular.
''To be honest, there was a big hole in the market in western Sydney. There's not much entertainment here in the summer. We wanted to fill that gap and then some.''
Despite all the hurdles to getting the club started, the first season looks set to go down as a barnstorming success. There are more than 6000 members on board - ''the membership phone is ringing off the hook'' - and the club dreams of becoming not just the biggest team in Sydney, but Australia.
But Tsatsimas knows all too well the job that lies ahead. They will be a hunted team on the field next year, and expectations about attendance, sponsorships and signings will rise, too. ''Have we exceeded expectations this year? Absolutely, no doubt about it and that's great. The results are there for everyone to see and we're immensely proud of being part of a club that is already giving a lot to this region,'' he said. ''But you've got to walk before you can run. We're still getting up.''
IN THE DUGOUT
How it all could have been so different. Tony Popovic had a choice between staying in London, where he was first-team coach at Crystal Palace, taking the job at his old club Sydney FC, and taking on the job at a new club. He chose the Wanderers.
''Growing up in the area, I know what the people of the region expect,'' he said when he took the job. ''They're hard-working people. They work hard for their dollar, but they want to see a reflection of that in their team. We can bring that along with a good style, a good brand of football that the A-League will be proud of and the people of western Sydney will be proud of.'' Popovic has been true to his word. With a limited time to sign and prepare players, it was a battle at first - they didn't score in their first three games - but they've been surging ever since. His man-management style is considered direct but players respect his mixture of no nonsense and intelligence.
''His demeanour, the aura about him, it's scary how far I think he'll go in the game of coaching,'' defender Adam D'Apuzzo said. ''The Socceroos? Who knows, or a super coach in England or big European club somewhere? I wouldn't be surprised.''
One former Socceroo said this week that Popovic's coaching style wasn't revolutionary but that he was ''doing all the simple things well''. ''It's not a complicated style that he has them playing, not by any means,'' he said. ''But he has them well-drilled. He keeps them tight and compact. Every player knows their role and they defend exceptionally well as a team. The players are responding well because they know exactly what's expected of them. He's meticulous like that.''
THE PLAYERS
Aaron Mooy said he didn't know what he was getting into when he signed for the Wanderers. ''I knew it was new, and that was exciting, but I have to be honest and say I wasn't sure what kind of team this would be,'' he said. ''That was the leap of faith I had to take. It's been a fantastic move.''
Mooy, 22, is the kind of player the club wants to build itself around. He's a local - born in Blacktown - but boasts the kind of skills that have made clubs around the world take notice. He spent four years in the youth academy at Bolton Wanderers and while his next move - to Scottish club St Mirren - didn't quite work out, it was still a risk to leave Europe. Now he's a Socceroo.
''It was a risk because that's obviously where the biggest leagues are,'' he said. ''But the Wanderers had a lot of faith in me and I want to repay that. It's special to be a part of it.''
The Wanderers, of course, feature many players who grew up locally. However, one theme that has not been widely discussed is how many players were struggling in their careers when they were signed by Popovic. He hasn't acquired players at the peak of their powers - anything but. They came to the Wanderers for a second, and in some cases final, chance to prove themselves as elite footballers. The coach is squeezing the best from players who aren't done just yet.
''I know I have been a lot more professional this year. I worked very hard in the pre-season and I am still working hard and being very disciplined,'' said Mark Bridge, who is back to top form after some dark years at Sydney FC. ''That is the thing that has changed and, obviously, it is paying off.''
ON THE TERRACES
How is it that a team which wasn't even conceived a year ago, let alone playing, can inspire fans like Eric Berry to go to such lengths? In truth, Berry's devotion to the Wanderers has already made him more than a fan. Go to a training session and you can almost guarantee he'll be there. For want of a better expression, he's also the club's unofficial photographer.
''This club represents everything about us and our area. They've connected with us. They've listened to us. That's why it's working and why it's only going to get bigger,'' he said. ''I've always followed the A-League but people around here didn't really feel a part of Sydney FC. This is different, it's ours, and it's incredible. Everyone is talking about it.''
Berry lives and breathes the Wanderers. His favourite T-shirt? ''Keep calm and Wander'', which he proudly parades around Penrith - and neighbouring suburbs too.
''Mount Druitt and Penrith hate each other in just about everything, but the Wanderers have unified the west,'' he said. ''Draw the line at Strathfield - it's Wanderers territory beyond that. It doesn't matter if you're south-west, north-west, west-west - we're all coming together. People of different races, religions, this club is unifying them all.''
Berry is not part of the Red and Black Bloc but knows their noise and colour brings people through the gates as much as the football.
''We wanted to have the best match-day experience in the league and they have provided that,'' he said. ''A Wanderers game isn't just about turning up and then going home. It's about colour, noise, energy and passion. The RBB are now getting the whole stadium involved. What they are doing is fantastic.''
THAT STRIP
It's not often that a sporting team, especially a start-up franchise, is able to create a jersey, logo and colours that have mass appeal. Gaudy, tasteless tops seem be a hallmark of modern clubs - just look at the Big Bash League for evidence of how bad it can look. The Wanderers' logo and strip, however, has been a winner from the moment it launched. The captivating red-and-black-hooped jersey has proven such a hit that supply cannot keep up with the demand.
Nike sell out of Wanderers home jerseys almost as soon as they arrive. That's in stores and online. One entrepreneur is selling training jerseys on eBay for $150 plus delivery. Until the next batch arrives, that's it.
The classic look, combined with relevance to the region, has been the key to its appeal, according to Tsatsimas. ''The red and black hoops are iconic on the football landscape through clubs like Flamengo, Pohang Steelers and the same colours are used by Manchester City [away]. It's no coincidence how good they look,'' he said. ''But those two colours are the most colours by many local football associations in the west and that's who we're here to represent. It was a no-brainer but we couldn't have predicted the demand.''
Been trying to get a wanderers jersey since start of the season no luck yet........
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Mt Team the in the Aleague the wanderers shitting all over the midgets, it is now going to be impossible for the AFL to lure the soccer kids to there game now the wanderers are in town.
Wanderers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>midgets..................
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