Western Sydney Wanderers

"We were called a small club yesterday – today we are the biggest in Asia"

We all love a good underdog - whether it be Wales' adventure at the European Championships or Leicester winning the title after narrowly avoiding relegation the previous season. We all inevitably wanted an underdog to win at some stage.

So I thought I would introduce an underdog story that symbolises why I fell in love with the game.

I'll kick us off by setting the scene in New South Wales where you'll find Australia's most populous city, Sydney - a place that fascinates me. This story unravels back to 2005 where Sydney FC were leading the way for Australian Football. At the time, Football NSW (New South Wales) were seeking ways to engage more of Western Sydney as part of their efforts to continue the growth of football in Australia.

So, Football NSW decided to ask Sydney FC to move to a new stadium on the Western side of the city. In return they would enter Sydney FC into the inaugural A-League season. Unfortunately, this all fell through and ended up with Sydney FC remaining in the Eastern Suburbs and Western Sydney seemingly cut off from football. Football NSW ended their affiliation with Sydney FC as a result, kind of like a bad divorce.

Following on from years of political challenges, it was then decided that a second Sydney-based team would be a positive step in growing football in the region.

 Off-the-field challenges were still occurring until a fortunate breakthrough with rivals, Gold Coast United, having their A-League licensed revoked over issues such as poor crowd control, stadium attendance and rule breaches. This swung open a door for a new Sydney club, with the support of Aussie legends such as Scott Chipperfield, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neil and the Australian government. Western Sydney community members made decisions on club values, cultures, playing styles, home-ground, proposed names and colours. To engage other members of the community and support their decision making, they chucked out online surveys.

 Soon enough, Western Sydney Wanderers were born

Sydney Morning Herald

Straight away the club hired Tony Popovic as head coach after his contract with Crystal Palace had ended. He stated that he relished the opportunity to build a club up from scratch which as any Football Manager 2016 player will tell you... is a dream! 

In 2012, the club gradually announced a new logo, club colours and players with the help of the supporters. This helping grow WSW as a real community club. Fans feel connected and part of the journey.  So as the club geared up to their first competitive season, Popovic recruited a surge of relatively unknown players having spent months negotiating his ambitions and building a club that he felt at the center of. 

As player and staff recruitment advanced, the club felt the need to add experience

The highest profile player being former Asian Footballer Of The Year and Japan international, Shinji Ono.

 The first competitive match ended in a 0-0 draw and eventually WSW finally received their first ever win and goal against Brisbane Roar. Little did they know what was to follow…

Despite a slow start to the season, WSW gradually crept up the A-League table and were winning over fans. The club went on a record-unbeaten streak (a run of 10 straight wins) which propelled them to Asian Champions League as well as a place in the A-League final series. They were broadcasting themselves as one of Australia's leading clubs despite being in their first season. Remarkable stuff!

Although they went onto lose in the final of the A-League series, the club celebrated their achievements with Popovic winning A-League Manager of the Year and Ante Covic winning Goalkeeper of the Year. The club, built by the community, was attracting worldwide attention and praise.

The club advanced in their first ever season of the Asian Champions League. WSW faced tricky trips from all corners of Asia. However, results on the pitch were not the only thing that was bringing positivity to the club. 

They managed to make the final on their first attempt. Unlike the European Champions League Final, the game took place over two legs with WSW winning the home leg and battling for a 0-0 draw in the second leg. This made a team who had been in operation for less than 4 years, the best team in Asia.

 

Sport Asia

As a result, Popovic was rewarded The Asian Manager of The Year and the club made history in becoming the first Australian Football Team to win the Asian Champions League. 

For sure, one of the most romantic footballing stories that I've read about. A momentous reminder of what a community coming together can achieve. A community that was crying out for a football outlet to achieving the unthinkable. The power that communities possess is exquisite and unique. 

You couldn't write this stuff - From having nothing to being Champions of Asia.