In what was a truly remarkable night at Pluim Park with 17 goals and countless memories, John Hutchinson has bid farewell to a 3000 strong crowd on Saturday night.
The #HutchTestimonial was the first match of its kind on Australian shores and it’s fair to say that the bar has been set extremely high. Re-live the action by clicking here thanks to VPA’s Live stream with commentary and unique player interviews.
The names on the score sheet were Sasho Petrovski, Adam Kwasnik, Bernie Ibini, Andre Gumprecht, Rostyn Griffiths, Mile Sterjovski, Danny Vukovic, Dean Heffernan, Tom Slater, Fabio Ferreira and of course John Hutchinson.
Special mentions also need to go to Liam Reddy who scored a hat trick and one of our biggest fans Jake Banks who made a cameo appearance to help Hutch’s XI to a 15-2 victory.
Although there were plenty of goals tonight, there was far more action to keep the fans well and truly off their seats, which included:
- The MASTERFOODS Sauce bottle making an appearance on the field who was whacked by a Brent Griffiths slide tackle that saw him pick up a red card for his troubles.
- Central Coast Mariners member Jake Banks (pictured with team above) also made an appearance and scored a goal.
- Zac Anderson who strapped on the goalkeeping gloves to play in between the sticks to then call a young ball boy into action to relieve him of his duties
- Both Liam Reddy and Danny Vukovic making full fledged runs from goals where they both reached half way one after the other.
- Nick Montgomery called a quick halt to play as he shared hot chips with a spectator on the sideline
- The Mariners side charged to the other end of the field behind a full wall formation
- Vukovic undertaking interviews with other players during game play and still managed to bag a goal
- A lap of honour for the man, the legend, John Hutchinson.
There have been several occasions where the people who have supported Hutch for the past 10 years have been able to say farewell but I think it is fair to say that this one has been something else.
Photos, videos and all the content from #HutchTestimonial will be made available in the coming days so that fans will be able to re-live the occasion for years to come.
