A-League: Macarthur FC determined to win the ‘battle of the west’

Life in the A-League starts for Macarthur FC with a highly anticipated derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Macarthur FC’s Mark Milligan (left) and Western Sydney Wanderes’ Kwame Yeboah are ready for the A-League’s new derby. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

A “battle of the west” is the perfect way for Macarthur FC to start life in the A-League.

Four years of toil and anticipation culminate on Wednesday night when the Bulls meet Western Sydney Wanderers at Bankwest Stadium.

It’s a dream come true for the people of the South Western Sydney region, many of who have never previously supported an A-League club, according to Macarthur chairman Gino Marra.

“We’re getting a lot of fans that are new to the game and that was one of the reasons (Football Australia) chose the region,” Marra said.

“It’s the fastest growing region in the country. There are 35,000 participants, the majority of which weren’t supporting an A-League team.”

Not even the Wanderers, despite the “west” link.

“There’s a divide between the north and south west, and this is a great derby we can build on,” Marra said.

“From now on, and in years to come, the battle of the west will be the main derby in town.

“More importantly we’ve got a good relationship with the Wanderers. We’ll be fierce competitors on the field but strong friends off it, and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”

Wanderers’ fans perhaps won’t agree on the “strong friends” sentiment and the belief that this new derby will outdo Western Sydney’s intense rivalry with the A-League’s most successful club, Sydney FC.

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👀➡️ https://t.co/dQG6FNqZQF#MFCBulls #RunWithTheHerd pic.twitter.com/ksVh7AmymE

— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) December 27, 2020

However, it’s good for the Bulls ­­– and the competition ­– to have an immediate arch-rival.

A-League officials have made no secret for their love of derbies, and when two separate bids ­– United for Macarthur and South West Sydney FC – joined forces in 2018, there was little doubt they would become part of an expanded competition.

“The council-backed bid was a great bid as ours was. It was the right decision,” Marra said.

“We’ve got a fantastic relationship with council. They’ve been very supportive, and it’s allowed us to build something special.

“It’s an extremely difficult process but we were always confident about what football meant to the region, and how we can be more than just a 12th (A-League) team.”

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing along the journey, with billionaire property developer Lang Walker’s decision in February this year to sell his 50 per cent to share in the club to local businessmen Roy Mammone and Michael Gerace leading to a host of departures.

They included then executive chairman Rabieh Krayem and football director Ken Stead.

“It is what it is – football’s football,” Marra said.

Departures aside, it was the retention of inaugural coach Ante Milicic that could prove to be the decisive factor in Macarthur’s bid to contend for the title in their first season.

Milicic had the option of remaining with the Matildas following the delay of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for 12 months.

But Marra never doubted Milicic would honour his Bulls deal.

“We never even had a discussion about a ‘Plan B’,” Marra said.

“Ante was always a key appointment for us and we knew, especially being a start-up club, that he could manage the whole football operation for us.

“He’s done that. He’s built a phenomenal team not just on the field but off it, and he’s got some great people around him.”

They include key recruits in former Socceroos pair Mark Milligan and Adam Federici, English striker Matt Derbyshire, and Spanish duo Benat Etxebarria and Markel Susaeta.

“I’m excited, nervous ... this whole thing started four years ago and we’re at the point now watching the team start,” Marra said.