SA’s former EPL striker Carl Veart looks ahead to 2017/18 season

CARL Veart says the opening day of the English Premier League season signals the start of a nine-month rollercoaster ride for players, managers and supporters.

SA striker Carl Veart celebrates a goal while playing for English club Sheffield United in 1996.

CARL Veart says the opening day of the English Premier League season signals the start of a nine-month rollercoaster ride for players, managers and supporters.

The former striker, one of only four South Australians to play in the famed competition, was part of the Crystal Palace squad which won promotion to the top flight in 1997/98.

On the eve of the EPL campaign kick-off, he recalled the intense scrutiny and expectation he and his team-mates felt as their first fixture against Everton at Goodison Park approached.

“Palace were usually an up and down side, so it was always very important for them to get off to a good start,” the ex-Socceroos front man said.

“They always had (points) targets that they knew they needed to avoid relegation, which was like winning the championship for them.

“But it’s the premier competition in the world so you expected that.

“I grew up watching the old English first division on TV and all the big clubs in there.

“As a kid coming from Whyalla to experience those big stadiums, big crowds and big games was incredible.”

Carl Veart in A-League action for Adelaide United against Central Coast Mariners in 2006.

Veart, who joined Palace after a successful stint at Sheffield United, was a late substitute as the Eagles ground out a shock 2-1 victory over the Toffees to start their campaign.

But his first taste of the EPL soon hit troubled waters when the side began to slide down the table and manager Steve Coppell relinquished his role to become director of football.

After six appearances, Veart was sold to third-tier Millwall.

Palace eventually finished bottom and was relegated.

“It’s hard to explain just how tough it is over there,” Veart, now 47, said.

“Every week was such a big game, especially when you are one of the bottom half teams.

“If you win, the supporters are so ecstatic and the rest of their week is on a high. If you lose, they take it very hard.

“It was just the beginning of the EPL when I was there and it was starting to get quite big in terms of the TV coverage and the financial support. It was huge to be a part of that.”

Along with John Aloisi, Tony Vidmar and Tony Dorigo, who was born in Adelaide but represented England, Veart remained in a select group of SA players to have played in the EPL.

A teenage Carl Veart playing for Adelaide City in the former National Soccer League in 1989.

He expected big seasons from Australian pair Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan, who will line up for newly-promoted Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion this campaign.

“We need as many Australians playing in the top divisions right through Europe so we can keep qualifying for World Cups and hopefully go deep into the tournament,” the former Adelaide City and Adelaide United star said.

“You look at what Mooy did for Huddersfield getting them promoted last season.

“It’s going to be another challenge for him, but I’m sure he can rise to that and improve more as a player.”

Veart said the transfer activity of Manchester City and his boyhood heroes Manchester United would give them the edge over Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the title race.

“It will be the usual top six clubs and it all depends on how well they recruit.

“You’ve got to improve every year.”

Originally published as SA’s former EPL striker Carl Veart looks ahead to 2017/18 season