Sydney FC skipper Alex Wilkinson ‘disappointed’ with decision of club’s active supporter group to boycott do-or-die derby

A decision by ‘The Cove’, Sydney FC’s active supporter group, to boycott Saturday night’s Sydney derby has left Sky Blues captain Alex Wilkinson ‘disappointed’.

Sydney FC’ skipper Alex Wilkinson (left) and Western Sydney captain Marcelo will go head-to-head in an A-League elimination final on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Sydney FC captain Alex Wilkinson has pleaded with the Sky Blues’ active supporter group to put its team first by abandoning plans to boycott Saturday night’s do-or-die derby.

For the first time in A-League history, arch-rivals Sydney and Western Sydney Wanderers will meet in a finals match.

Having finished one spot higher on the ladder that the Sky Blues, the Wanderers will have the advantage of playing the match at their home. CommBank Stadium.

The Wanderers are set to also have the edge in the stands following the decision of “The Cove” – Sydney FC’s active supporter group – to boycott the A-League finals series in protest at alleged “failed promises” made by the Australian Professional Leagues and Football Australia.

The boycott action stems from the APL’s decision to sell the A-League grand final to the NSW Government for the next three years.

While Wilkinson appreciated the certain attendance of a host of Sydney FC members and fans on Saturday night, he said the absence of the club’s active supporter group would hurt the Sky Blues.

Rival captains, Sydney FC’s Alex Wilkinson (left) and Western Sydney’s Marcelo. are ready for the first ever A-League finals derby between the clubs. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“As a club and as players we want them there,” Wilkinson said.

“We’re disappointed that they’re not going to be there for what’s the biggest game of the season to date.

“Their support throughout the year has been unbelievable. Without a doubt they can give you an edge.

“Being such an important game and with everything on the line, it would be fantastic if we could have both sets of (active) fans there creating that atmosphere which would just add to the occasion and make that game that little bit more special.

“We’ve had the biggest average crowd out of any team this year and a lot of that’s got to do with their (The Cove’s) support and the atmosphere they create at games, so not having them there is going to make our job a little bit harder on Saturday night.”

Wanderers captain Marcelo said Western Sydney’s fans – including the club’s official supporter group, Red and Black Bloc – would be “player number 12” for the hosts on Saturday night.
“We know that they’re going to support us ... every player needs to understand that,” the Brazilian defender said.

"We know how important it is for our community. We want to go there to represent our club and our community very well.

“We know it is for the community because they are the workers, they are the people that built this country. the city here, and for us, it’s a pleasure to represent them on the field.”
Wanderers coach Marko Rudan has used a similar theme to motivate his players ahead of matches against the Sky Blues this season, saying his club was representing the “downtrodden” working class of Sydney’s west against the “white collar” brigade.

However, it’s a motivational tool dismissed by Wilkinson.

“I don’t buy into that ... but the genuine ill-feeling that both sets of fans have towards each other has organically grown since they came in (to the competition) in 2012,” the Sydney skipper said.

Originally published as Sydney FC skipper Alex Wilkinson ‘disappointed’ with decision of club’s active supporter group to boycott do-or-die derby