New Aussie A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers unveiled

By David Gold

June 26 – New Australian A-League team Western Sydney Wanderers has been officially launched at a media event at the Parramatta Stadium.

Lyall Gorman, the club’s executive chairman and former A-League chief who is in charge of the new team, presented three new signings alonsgside coach Tony Popovic (pictured top).

Aaron Mooy, a promising midfielder, former Newcastle Jets captain and defender Tarek Elrich, and talented youngster Kwabena Appiah-Kubi (pictured below, left to right), a left-sided attacker, were all shown off in the team’s new apparel, designed by sponsor Nike.

The team will compete in red and black hooped jerseys with white shorts and black socks, while the club’s new logo incorporates mountains, valleys and a winding river system, all key elements of the area’s landscape.

Although Western Sydney will play some games at the Parramatta Stadium, two other venues are expected to also be used for home matches.

Western Sydney begins its debut season with a game against Central Coast Mariners on October 6.

“The arrival of the Wanderers in the Hyundai A-League is a truly monumental event,” declared Gorman.

“Football’s heartland will have its own team in the national competition.

“The sons and daughters of western Sydney’s rich football heritage will get to represent their region on the national stage and beyond across Asia and the world.

“Even more important is that this club will be different – it will be powered by the proud people of the west.”

The kit colours, logo and name were decided upon following a consultation process involving 1,000 fans at forums in the region with another 15,000 completing online surveys.

The new club was formed after Gold Coast United was expelled from the A-League last season.

Gold Coast’s controversial billionaire owner, Clive Palmer, had been embroiled in a dispute with Football Federation Australia (FFA), which faced the prospect of starting the new campaign with just eight teams after Newcastle Jets announced its intention to leave the competition.

Citing a dispute with the FFA, Newcastle later reversed its decision to ensure that, with Western Sydney now added to the competition, the A-League can go ahead this season with 10 teams once more.

There has long been a history of football in western Sydney and the Parramatta Stadium is a key part of that heritage.

The first game of football played in New South Wales took place in 1880 between the King’s School and the Wanderers in North Parramatta.

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