Port Adelaide Pirates Soccer Club secures promotion to SA Premier League for first time since 2002

KIERAN McFadyen has often wondered over the past 22 years if he would ever lead Port Adelaide Pirates in SA soccer’s top flight – now that dream is a ­reality.

KIERAN McFadyen has often wondered over the past 22 years if he would ever lead his beloved Port Adelaide Pirates in SA soccer’s top flight.

That dream is now a ­reality after the Ethelton-based club secured promotion to the Premier League on Saturday.

“It’s only starting to sink in now,” the 31-year-old captain says.

“After going so close so many times everyone is so happy.

“We won’t stop partying for a while.”

Pirates took over top spot on the State League table from Salisbury United with five rounds remaining in the gruelling 30-match campaign.

The club sealed the championship and a return to the top flight for the first time since 2002 with a 2-0 win over Adelaide Hills.

“Towards the end of the game, we kept asking the referee how long was left and it just dragged on,” McFadyen says.

“Once the whistle went, all the supporters ran on the pitch and we sang the song straight away.

“It’s been a long season and a challenge keeping morale high and getting ­people along to training three times a week in the middle of winter.

“But it’s not just about the players, there’s a lot of people that have been here for a long time and waiting for this to happen.”

McFadyen joined Pirates as a nine-year-old in 1992.

The central midfielder, who became skipper in 2004, narrowly missed out on promotion last season with a final-day loss to Modbury.

“We’ve finished second and third over the years and there’s been times when it’s been really tough,” he says.

“But I’ve never really ran around chasing other clubs … and now we’ve got our reward.

“Knowing that I’ve been here from the start makes it more special.”

Pirates, who were formed in 1903, have won seven top flight titles in their history.

McFadyen says Premier League survival is the priority in 2015.

“Hopefully we can gain some momentum for the coming years and stay in the top division,” he says.