Mullen family leads Campbelltown City’s charge in National Premier Leagues SA playoff semi-final
CAMPBELLTOWN City coach Joe Mullen laid down some early ground rules when his nephews Alex and Matthew Mullen joined him at the Red Devils. Now the family connection stands on the cusp of national glory.
CAMPBELLTOWN City coach Joe Mullen laid down some early ground rules when his nephews Alex and Matthew Mullen joined him at the Red Devils this season.
“I said to them when I brought them in, ‘it’s not uncle Joe, it’s just Joe’ and I’ve treated them just like any other player,” the three-time Adelaide City National Soccer League winner said.
“When we’re away from football I’m their uncle again, but otherwise I’m just their coach and they have the same responsibilities and accountabilities as every other player has got.
“It’s worked really well because I knew they were very good players and most importantly they had that will and desire to win something.
“We needed that type of character and type of push in the squad, and what they’ve brought in has rubbed off right through the squad.”
Eleven months on, the family connection stood on the cusp of capping a glorious campaign with Campbelltown’s biggest prize yet.
The SA double winner meets NSW champion Sydney Olympic in the National Premier Leagues playoff semi-final at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Centre back Matthew, who has been an ever-present since moving to the club with his brother from Para Hills, said sharing this year’s success with family had made it more memorable.
“Joe is just like having another coach,” Matthew, 29, said.
“But the way he coaches he has total respect from everyone, so it’s just an added bonus that he’s our uncle.
“We’re all in this together because we want to win medals and we want to win championships which we’re doing at the moment.
“We’ve got something really special here and now it’s important we not only set the standard in our local league, but also show the rest of Australia that we can match it with anyone.”
Football runs deep through the Mullen family.
Joe’s son, Daniel, plies his trade at Wellington Phoenix after an A-League career which has also taken in Adelaide United, Melbourne Victory, Western Sydney and Newcastle Jets.
His other progeny, Michael, won a top-flight SA amateur league title with Brahma Lodge last season, while another nephew, Isaac, made his first team debut for Para Hills this year.
“It goes back to my grandad who had four boys and football was something that kept them all together and helped them make friends,” said Alex, who spent 2015/16 with Sydney FC.
“All us young boys in the family have continued that legacy and have always been passionate about competing and driving each other to do well.
“It’s always good to play with my brother, even though there’s nothing special about how Joe treats us.
“But he’s a high-quality coach and a high-quality human being, so this is a great opportunity for us all to test ourselves against the best in the country.”
The family links do not end there for the Red Devils.
Midfielder Adam Piscioneri’s 16-year-old brother, Antony Piscioneri, came off the bench in last Saturday’s 3-0 quarter-final triumph over Canberra FC.
The siblings’ cousin and ex-Adelaide United forward Marc Marino was a chance to return to the squad after missing the trip to the capital due to a hamstring injury.
Victory for Campbelltown over former national league powerhouse Olympic would all but guarantee hosting rights for the NPL playoff final against Lions FC.
The Queensland club trailed the Red Devils on the competition’s points system, used to determine the home side in each fixture.