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This 41 year old emergency service worker is arguably Western Sydney Wanderers biggest fan. He's also the Information Officer for the Wanderers Supporters Group. Eric is what football in this country needs, a passionate football fan who is even more passionate about where he comes from. Ever since the Wanderers appeared on twitter Eric (@efsco) caught our eye, since then we have been following Eric and decided to interview him, who better to get an insight into the A-Leagues newest club than a fan and probably the biggest fan at that.
We have been following you ever since the wanderers came onto twitesphere why WSW?. (inside)
I’ve followed the A-League since Season 1, but had no local team as I was living in Katoomba at the time. I felt no connection with Sydney FC at all. If anything, having previously lived on the Central Coast for a decade, I had more of a “soft spot” for the Mariners and had even been up to Blue Tongue for a couple of games, but there was still nothing to really tug at my heartstrings. Over the past few years living in Penrith, with my teenage sons playing the game locally, there was still no connection with Sydney FC and so we were just floating fans.
Then came what would become the Western Sydney Wanderers. It was perfect. A club representing our area, a team which contained local Western Sydney players, led by people who actually visited locations west of Homebush! (EB)
You have been following the club from day dot, what do you make of the Wanderers as an organisation and do you think they have done it right?. (inside)
It’s more than an organisation, it’s a family. Right from Day 1, they set out to create a club that was more than just a remote, impersonal vehicle for playing football. It starts with the club staff. They’re all just regular people, approachable, friendly and they remember your name – as do the players. They’re part of the community, they’re active in the community, and they represent the values of the community. Lyall and his team have absolutely done it right. (EB)
Western Sydney Wanderers - we love the name - do you ?. (inside)
I do. It’s a traditional football name which speaks of being low-key, relaxed and yet hard working. It reinforces that this is the club for everyone who either lives in or comes from Western Sydney. Melbourne, the only other city with two teams, doesn’t have such a geographical divide, with both teams drawing their fans from the same areas.Sydney, in stark contrast, has a psychological chasm between the “Latte-sipping easties” and the more “Nescafe swilling” west. (EB)
The fan forums are a great idea and the Wanderers were very active with forums when laying down the foundations - can you give us an insight into what they were like ?. (inside)
They were possibly the best thing that FFA and the initial management team could have ever done. They set the tone, from the outset, that this was a club of the people. This was no window-dressing, or a sop to the in-vogue wankery of “community consultation” – rather it was a sincere, determined and deliberate effort to not only explain the guiding concepts of the organisation and to seek out the thoughts, wishes and needs of Western Sydney’s footballing community. There was, initially, some suspicion amongst some, but this was quickly dispelled by straight talking and hearing what was being said. There was scarcely a word of corporate double-speak to be heard and, no matter how left-of-field, everyone had a chance to provide their input and have a say.
The atmosphere was always one of collective determination. There was such a diverse range of backgrounds, opinions and perspectives that not everyone could possibly go away happy with every single aspect, but each forum ended with a generally happy and very positive outlook. For anyone who couldn’t make it in person, there was also an extensive online and social media presence, with live updates via twitter, as well as questions raised on twitter being included in the live discussions. (EB)
Is Parramatta stadium a good choice for the wanderers home ground. (inside)
Parramatta Stadium is almost perfect. In the early stages there was immense pressure applied to the club to use ANZ Stadium at Homebush as a home ground. This pressure was sternly and vehemently resisted by almost every person who attended a forum, commented via social media or sent in a written submission. Not only is it not really very “west”, it’s far too large. Nobody was deluded enough to think that we would be selling tens of thousands of foundation memberships and season tickets, which would mean playing in, comparatively speaking, an almost-empty stadium.
The target was set to aim for an average of 10,000 fans at every game. In a 20,000 capacity stadium likeParramatta, this gives a good atmosphere. In an 80,000 stadium like ANZ, this number would have felt like a Gold Coast game of seasons past. Instead even our smallest crowd, of just under 9,000, made more noise than double that number. It’s an intimate experience, even from the upper decks of the stadium, so you feel like you’re right on top of the action at all times.
Parramatta is one of the larger centres in Western Sydney. It’s relatively easy to get to via public transport – which is free for all members – and has enough social venues, restaurants and cafes to handle a match-day influx of people. It’s easy enough to get to by car too, with most places in Western Sydney being no more than about a 30 minute drive, even if more parking would be an advantage. (EB)
So far Tony Popavic has done a fantastic job - was he a good choice for manager (inside)
It’s fair to say that the fans (and obviously the players) love Popa. More importantly, we trust him.
He has the goods, even if he used to play in Sky Blue. Popovic has shown two spectacular abilities. The first is having a good eye for talented players available on a shoestring budget, both locals and imports. He has put together a competitive team in a very short space of time and a lot of that goes down to selecting the right players – mentally as well as physically – to fit together and weld them into a cohesive unit.
Popa’s other major ability has been his tactical vision. He has a system that works and he’s drilled our squad to play that way consistently.
The players all feel the trust that the coach has placed in them, especially those who have been offered something of an opportunity for redemption or a second chance in the A-League. It is no cliché to say that these blokes would run through a brick wall if Popa asked them. I’ve watched them on the field, I’ve watched them during training sessions, and the togetherness, the sense of common purpose, is evident every step of the way. (EB)
As a fan and member do you think the wanderers play attractive brand of football?. (inside)
Yes.
Our defence is solid and consistent, which is important. We’re not getting overrun and this allows us to break and attack with fluidity and purpose – either through the middle or down both flanks. We can control possession in midfield without panicking, build a steady passage of play and then unleash a swift charge. Our play flows, focussing on technique and passing, closing down spaces off the ball and making space on it.
It was a common theme through the fan consultation phase that “winning at all costs” would not be popular. Boring football never is, fortunately we’ve not had to suffer that. It’s a hard-working style that impresses and seems to be working. (EB)
Is it popular with the rest of fans?. (inside)
Oh yes. Everyone is stoked with how we play our game. I haven’t heard a single negative comment about our style from the fans. (EB)
What do you think of the Wanderers squad?. (inside)
I’ll use a real cliché here – it’s a working-class squad. Most of our players are cast-offs that nobody else wanted, or their club went bust, sprinkled with a few promising youngsters. There is some gratitude there for having a second chance, most of the team in their present or former back-yards, and a determination to do well – not only for themselves and the club, but for the fans they represent. Even Shinji, our “international marquee”, is the lowest-profile of the three big names of this year. We’ve got players with loads of domestic & A-League experience, some returning from overseas, some foreigners who have had solid careers in other continents.
Between the sticks we have possibly one of the best stoppers in the A-League. Our defence is solid. Experienced Centre Backs are flanked by exciting Fullbacks who aren’t afraid to get forward. Our midfield is strong, with Aaron Mooy possibly being the find of the season, linking in with Poljak and Shinji to control a lot of the play. Our forward line has had only moderate success finding the back of the net thus far, but Joey Gibbs is looking to be one for the future.
Outside the usual starting side, there are some good players filling out the rest of the squad. They might not set the world on fire just yet, but they can come on and do a job. In every player we can see hints at something that Popa values. His choices have been impeccable thus far and, in almost every case, if he picks them then we’ll back his judgement.
Away from the pitch, every single one of our squad is approachable, friendly, and committed to what Wanderers stands for as a club, as a Family. They’re out and about almost constantly, popping up all over the place and loving encounters with fans especially. They are genuinely amazed at the support and passion of the fans, which has made them all the more determined to produce on the field. (EB)
Shinji Ono was he the right choice?. (inside)
Yes, absolutely. Shinji is modest, he avoids the spotlight, plus he is always challenging the other players in the team to stretch themselves a bit more. Watching him in training, his touch and range of movement tell of what he can, and will, be producing on the pitch. He has the flexibility, balance and movement of a ballet dancer, combined with a footballing brain that is like a supercomputer. As he spends more time with the likes of Mooy, Hersi and Gibbs, they’ll realise what he’s capable of and he will be able to make better use of their runs through the opposition lines.
I don’t think we’ve seen him at more than 75% yet, apart from his assist with Gibbs’ goal against Newcastle. I expect lots of fireworks to come. (EB)
Would you have prefered Micheal Ballack?. (inside)
To be honest, no. Ballack is a huge name, but there were many reasons why he wasn’t right for Wanderers. He has had injury problems, hasn’t kept his fitness anywhere close to what would be needed, and I really doubt that his heart would have been in it. (EB)
From twitter Tarek Elrich seems to be one of your favourites, why do you think he isnt in the starting side?. (inside)
Taz is a top bloke. He lives football, is a proud Western Sydney family man, and is a great ambassador for the club. It was obviously a close call between starting him or Polenz and I have to say that I’ve been surprised by how well the German has done. Tarek is pushing every step of the way for a starting berth and if he can get some more regular game time, he’ll be there soon. (EB)
Who would you have liked to see signed for the Wanderers?. (inside)
I can’t say there are many that turned my head. I’d probably have to say Erik Paartalu would have been on my shopping list. He’s a Western Sydney boy originally and probably a future Socceroo. (EB)
Which player has impressed you the most so far?. (inside)
There’s two really. First is obviously Aaron Mooy. What a discovery! I honestly hadn’t heard of him before he signed and I don’t think many others had either. Now there are calls for him to be given a go with the Socceroos, along with plaudits from other players, other teams, analysts and pundits alike. He’s hard working, has good vision and a good touch.
The other is Youssouf Hersi. I’ll confess I was not a very big fan of his during pre-season. He was constantly getting out of place, drifting too far in, passing poorly. Once again Popa has show that he can see something that I hadn’t – quality. Hersi has started to hit his straps and now is playing like a man possessed. (EB)
The Derby from the television seemed like a fantastic atmosphere - describe what it was like to be there. (inside)
It was probably the most electric atmosphere that I have ever experienced. The build-up was intense, but that was nothing compared to the game itself. The energy, the noise, it was palpable. The hair on the back of my neck stood up a block from the stadium and stayed like that until long after the game.
From the first minute to the last it was non-stop, especially from the RBB behind the goal at the northern end. The cheering made the seats vibrate, especially when 15,000 Wanderers fans and sympathisers were giving the opposition a bit of stick. Even those few brave souls in blue shirts who ended up in the upper grandstands with the home fans had a (relatively) good experience.
Even though we didn’t get the result we hoped for, nobody went away disappointed. Our team played their hearts out and not a single head went down. We were all smiling, laughing and cheering for our team as we headed home, flushed with the feeling that football has truly come home. (EB)
For the home of football we think the crowds are a little disappointing are we being to harsh?. (inside)
Possibly. There were a couple of things that have slowed sales a little bit.
For starters, we’re a completely new team. It’s going to take a little bit of time for the locals to get with the programme. There are actually some Sydney FC fans out this way, and a number have stayed loyal, especially once ADP signed for them. Also some of the undecided voted to follow the ADP effect. There was also a bit of collateral from a couple of incidents during pre-season.
Given that Sydney had the landscape to themselves for so many years, the members and fans that Wanderers have attracted were obviously an untapped market that was ignored until now. (EB)
The FFA has stated that they aim to sell the club eventually, if so who would you like to see the club sold too?. (inside)
Personally I’d like to see the club owned and run by the supporters, such as a supporters’ trust model, but I also realise that this is a big, big ask. At the very least, a 20% member-ownership would be good. For the rest of it, Someone from the West, who loves the game, would be the ideal. An “outsider”, or someone without a football bent, could prove to be a bad fit for the club and its supporters. (EB)
The Wanderers are alot of fans 'second team', what makes the Wanderers so likeable?. (inside)
Simply put, I think it’s because we play good football and we don’t give up. A lot of pundits were predicting us to be the easybeats of the A-League, sitting firmly nailed to the bottom of the talbe from Round 1, trying to part the bus at every possible opportunity to make up for a lack of skill and quality. We’ve completely destroyed that myth in short order, only losing by the odd goal rather than getting tonked regularly or giving abject performances. The noisy and loyal fans also contribute to that too, with many friends telling me that they’re jealous of the atmosphere we can generate even with modest crowds. (EB)
We think Aaron Mooy is one of the best players in the A - League and one of the brightest propsects for Socceroos - who do you think is WSW best player. (inside)
Definitely Mooy for all-around performance, although Shinji is going to be right on his heels for that title. This rivalry for the top spot can only be good for the team and the players themselves. (EB)
The one year contracts offered to players was quite controversial do you agree. (inside)
It’s a bit of an each-way bet by the FFA. If the club failed to launch and survive, they didn’t want to be stuck with contracted players that they’d have to find a home for. As well, although secondary, is keeping the future liability down for a possible future owner, who might not have been happy with a lot of players on long-term deals. The difficulty is that we could end up with our best players, such as Mooy, Hersi and Gibbs, being fleeced by other clubs before the end of the year with promises of longer-term deals. (EB)
In your twitter Bio it states that you are a Chiver what on earth does that mean?. (inside)
It’s a challenge to explain it simply. There are two parts to it. First, there is the website www.thechive.com – a repository of funny, interesting and spicy photos. That’s the outer façade of the “Chive Nation”. But it goes deeper than that. There’s our real purpose, Chive Charities. Basically, we’re unconventional, underground philanthropists. We do stuff for other people without really telling anyone else. We do it not for recognition or reward, but because doing it is the reward itself.
For a couple of examples, have a look at these (although there are dozens of smaller, anonymous cases too):
(EB)
Everyone here at inside would like to thank Eric for taking the time to answer our questions #Gowanderers
Damien Coope
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