Top key points from first Macarthur South West United forum

The Macarthur South West United A-League club have begun stoking the flames of a future derby with the Western Sydney Wanderers, with club ambassador Brett Emerton saying he expected a “fierce” rivalry between the two clubs.

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The Macarthur South West United A-League club have begun stoking the flames of a future derby with the Western Sydney Wanderers, with club ambassador Brett Emerton saying he expects a “fierce” rivalry between the two clubs.

Emerton’s comments came at a forum of about 350 people as the club kicked-off its community engagement campaign at the Campbelltown Catholic Club last night.

Club chairman Lang Walker, vice chairman Gino Marra, director Sam Krslovic, former Socceroo Emerton and Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic answered questions from the crowd over two hours.

The start of the community forums coincides with the launch of a community survey for fans to pick the name and colours of the new club

TOP KEY POINTS FROM THE COMMUNITY FORUM

WESTERN SYDNEY DERBY

When asked their thoughts on a rivalry with Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC, club officials identified the derby with the Wanderers as the key fixture.

“I believe the derby between our team and the Wanderers will be fierce,” Emerton said.

Board member Sam Krslovic said the greater Western Sydney region provided the perfect melting pot for an intense derby between the two clubs, while also taking a dig at other derbies in the A-League.

“Sydney is unique in that we are very tribal and there are clear geographical divides,” he said.

“It’s good to have real derbies not like a Melbourne Derby where they play at the same ground and train at the same ground.

Brett Emerton, Sam Krslovic, Gino Marra, Lang Walker and George Brticevic.

“We will have to travel and go to Parramatta.”

The Macarthur Chronicle understands club officials have already informally approached A-League boss Greg O’Rourke about playing the club’s opening fixture of the 2020-2021 season against the Wanderers.

TICKET PRICES

Board members were at pains to stress ticket prices for the new team would be kept affordable for the local community.

Krslovic said he had been shocked by prices for tickets at other A-League venues and would ensure

“We were looking at the two ends and making them family hills with very attractive pricing,” he said.

The crowd at last night’s community forum.

Cr Brticevic said other clubs often had to pay significant fees for stadium use while Campbelltown Stadium would cost the club little to use.

“Campbelltown Stadium is not owned by council it’s owned by the community, so that’s your contribution,” he said.

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Club officials committed to establishing a W-League team in the future but said it was unlikely to occur until later in the process.

Krslovic said the club was committed to women’s football.

“Women’s football in the region is a must,” he said.

“FFA have indicated the possibility of a women’s program in 2020 when we start is very remote,” he said.

“We will definitely get to a stage where we have a women’s program which mirror our men’s program … so eventually we can get to that stage where we can refine the next Sam Kerr.

The Macarthur region has produced player such as Matilda Alanna Kennedy. Picture: Joel Carrett

Marra said local clubs Macarthur Rams and Southern Districts Raiders already had strong women’s programs.

“Even though we haven’t been given a W-League license straight away, if there is a talented girl she will go through our (boy’s) program,” he said.

COACH and MARQUEE PLAYER

The club plans to have a coach in place by October this year with an announcement to come at a club launch function.

Emerton said any marquee player the club looks to attract would have to have the right attitude.

“You want a marquee who not contributes on the pitch but off it as well,” Emerton said.

“A good example of that is (Alessandro) Del Piero when he was at Sydney FC, even at the age of 40 he was the last one off the training pitch … that showed to our younger players that ability can take you so far but a lot of hard work is needed.”

“If we do get a marquee he has to have both those attributes to justify spending that money on him.”

STADIUM UPGRADE

The club will explore long-term upgrades to the stadium but Cr Brticevic stressed the stadium was already in a ready-to-go position with only minor improvements required.

Cr Brticevic said he had already consulted with politicians on both sides of the political divide.

Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Picture: Campbelltown City Council

“We’re looking to get some funding, the stadium’s a great stadium but there can be some improvements made,” he said.

“There are two elections coming so we are hoping for some promises.”