Golden memories inspire fresh start for new Adelaide United assistant coach Carl Veart
Carl Veart says his inaugural Adelaide United goal can point the way forward to another new era for the club, as he begins life as a Reds assistant coach under new boss Gertjan Verbeek.
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Memories of the moment Carl Veart’s Adelaide United love affair began can point the way forward to a new era of success.
That was the view of the returning Reds favourite, who was last week installed as one of manager Gertjan Verbeek’s assistant coaches in another revamp of the club’s backroom team.
It came nearly 16 years on from the striker venturing into the unknown with United in its inaugural National Soccer League match against Brisbane Strikers.
But the 18-cap Socceroo knew he had started something special when he scored the winner from Richie Alagich’s cross and sent the capacity Hindmarsh Stadium crowd into dreamland.
“As a player certainly we didn’t have any expectation of what was going to happen,” recalled Veart, of the October 17, 2003, clash.
“But you could sense that it was something different.
“No one would ever have predicted the support that came that first night and that whole season after that, we were sort of on a wave.
“I don’t know how may times people still come up to me and talk about that night and when I reflect back, I’m very proud and it brings back a lot of good memories.
“Now we need to get back to that support and get out and embrace all of the football community again.”
Veart’s homecoming signalled a fresh start at the club he scored 24 goals in three seasons as a player, and served as a forwards and youth team mentor from 2007-11.
The 49-year-old said a call from recently-appointed director of football and fellow ex-United hitman Bruce Djite convinced him of the new direction he wanted to be part of.
“To come back, I’m really excited and looking forward to the challenges ahead,” said Veart, who also appeared for English clubs Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Millwall.
“It seems like the club is wanting to get engaged more with the fans again and really wants to grow on what they’ve already achieved in the A-League and be a lot more inclusive.
“He (Verbeek’s) very positive and I’m really looking forward to developing myself underneath him.
“There’s definitely something there to build on, it’s just a matter of finding the right players that are going to fit into the system and also fit in with the playing group that’s here.”
Whyalla-born Veart had been a key figure in Football Federation SA’s development system since 2012, most recently as head coach of its elite National Training Centre.
He had also worked as a Young Socceroos assistant under new Wellington Phoenix boss Ufuk Talay and Matildas manager Ante Milicic.
Veart said his experiences fit the Reds’ goal of fast-tracking homegrown products to the first-team this campaign.
“It’s about providing opportunities for young players to come in and do well,” said Veart, who also notched Adelaide’s maiden A-League goal in 2005.
“They surprise you young players if you give them a chance and give them belief that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
“In saying that, the young players have to be prepared to do the work to get there because it’s just not going to be given to them.
“I see myself as a coach having the same philosophy as how I played.
“I’m desperate to win, but it has to be done in a way that’s entertaining.
“Coaching young players we tell them they’ve got to challenge themselves and take risks, and this is an opportunity for me to do that now.”