Foundations laid: The men who forged Wanderers

For the past decade he’s laid the foundations for the Sunshine Coast Wanderers but it was only recently when it all sunk in for Warren Crickmore.

LEGEND: Buderim and Sunshine Coast Wanderers clubman Warren Crickmore. Picture: John McCutcheon

FOR the past decade he’s laid the foundations for the Sunshine Coast Wanderers but it was only recently when just how big the club had become sank in for Warren Crickmore.

It was in one of the last games of the season and he was sitting in the dugout watching the first team run around, that side still gunning for the premiership.

This time, three teenagers had been plucked out of the under-18s - potential sheep thrown to the wolves.

But with every touch, dribble or pass, the Wanderers faithful erupted.

“We’re the other side of the park, and looking back, it’s just fantastic,” the chuffed Crickmore said.

“That’s when it hits home how far we’ve come.

“They’re always loud, but to hear the crowd yell and roar at everything was really special.”

Wanderers general manager Craig Williams said the promotion and recent success wouldn’t be possible without the ground work done by people like Crickmore.

“Buderim Wanderers have the history of the right football program,” Williams said.

“Their high-quality work made the license application possible.

“The committee deserves a lot of credit, not me, for their forward-thinking application to create an alternative elite pathway.

“But Warren is the brainchild of it all. He, and others, laid the foundation.”

Crickmore is excited for what the future holds for the club, and not just short term.

“The supporters have really embraced us and so has the community.

“And that base can grow.

“The entire squad are either from here or live here. That’s important,” he said.

“It’s great to see where the club is today.

“It means so much to me having a place like this for close to home.”

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