A-League: Sydney FC’s Alex Wilkinson on chasing more trophies, life after football

He’s a legend of the game and will be a star of the 2021/22 A-League season. So why can this footballer walk down the street unrecognised?

Gladesville soccer player Alex Wilkinson is a veteran of the A-League.

Alex Wilkinson is the most winning player in the A-League and one of its biggest assets.

But the Sydney FC captain can still walk down the street near his Gladesville home largely unrecognised.

But this player with big talent - and little ego - doesn’t mind that one bit as long as his game stays in the spotlight.

“I can walk around and not a lot of people know me,” said Wilkinson, who has won five premierships and also holds the record for most final appearances with 27, and grand finals with seven.

Victory player Rudy Gestede is challenged by Alex Wilkinson of Sydney FC.

“Rugby league here and AFL players in Melbourne get a lot of attention and that can be a good or bad thing.

“It’s not something I have ever cared about.

“I just consider myself lucky enough to have played the game for a long time, a lot longer than many. An average career is under five years now.

“I count myself really lucky to have played for 20 years, lucky to have represented my country and to play in great teams.”

Wilkinson is the quiet achiever - at least off the pitch - of the A-League and rated one of its best defenders.

He started his career at Northern Spirit and Ryde City and made his A-League debut with the Central Coast Mariners.

The Gladesville footballer is now in his sixth season with Sydney FC and chasing his fourth winners trophy with the famous club.

A young Alex Wilkinson in his days at Northern Spirit.

At 36, Wilkinson is also one of the older players in the competition and while planning to play on, is also making preparations for a smooth transition to life after football.

“I still love this game and really enjoy playing and the mateship involved,’’ he said.

“I have never lost that love of the game. I’ve been lucky, I’ve never had too many down periods with injuries.

“I don’t have a timeline (for retirement). It’s year by year. You have to perform on the pitch and I’m just concentrating on having a successful year and I’ll see what happens then.

The father of Luca, 9, and Harper, 5, who has played in both China and Korea and for the Socceroos, is doing a Masters of Business and keen to stay in sport when he eventually calls time.

“Maybe the administration side more than the coaching side,” he said.

“Doing this helps me make the transition. Get my head out of football as well.”

Alex Wilson is a veteran of the A-League and one of its greatest players.

SYDNEY FC’S SUMMER 6’S

Sydney Fc is running six-a-side summer competition for 8-15 age groups with the inaugural event in January.

The eight week program is at Sydney FC’s Elite Performance Centre at Macquarie University Sports Fields every Saturday morning.

There are limited spaces available for teams which don’t have to be from clubs but can be groups of mates who want to enter.

Further information HERE

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