It’s Membership Week in the A-Leagues and to celebrate, we’re shining the spotlight on some of our members who have dedicated their lives to their chosen club.
We’re celebrating the fans who have supported their side through thick and thin, home and away, come rain or shine and highlighting their incredible stories to hopefully inspire more fans to start their own membership journey.
From living next door to players, getting hooked on football thanks to a TV advert or attending their first game with a grandparent these are just a handful of stories from some of the A-Leagues’ most dedicated members.
Missed part one? No problem! Simply click here to read about how one Adelaide United fan found love in the Red Army and how a local Brisbane Roar junior has her sights set on being a Matilda!
Read on for part two!
How the Mariners helped Sam find where she belonged
For Samantha Hardie, it all started with a neighbour walking his dog.
Not long after moving from Perth to the Central Coast as a nine-year-old, Sam’s family struck up a conversation with the man who lived behind them and would often walk his dog on their street.
That man just so happened to be Central Coast Mariners’ inaugural head coach, Lawrie McKinna. With shared Scottish roots, McKinna invited the family to a pre-season match.
One game was all it took.
Sam and her family signed up as members ahead of the club’s inaugural season, with Sam becoming foundation member No. 90. More than two decades later, despite her parents separating and both moving interstate, they all remain members.
“We wanted to be there at the start of something. (We) ended up finding a community which we’ve never wanted to leave.”
That sense of community has shaped much of Sam’s life.
When she struggled to find where she fitted in during high school, there was one place she always felt comfortable.
SUPER SUPPORT: Shining the spotlight on some of the A-Leagues’ biggest fans (Part 1)
“The Mariners are a huge part of my life, and the club, players and other members we’ve made friends with are essentially family.
“When I was in high school, I struggled with feeling like I belonged. That wasn’t the case when I was at the Mariners games.”
Sam has been one of the ‘lucky ones’ when it comes to choosing and sticking with a football club. Some might never see their team win a major trophy but Sam saw the Mariners win three in one season, and that’s not even mentioning the successes that came before that incredible 2023/24 campaign.
“There are too many,” she says, when asked to pick a favourite Mariners memory. “But stand out ones include Mile Jedinak’s first game – he pulled the shorts of another player half way across the field!
“The goals breaking on NYE and the fireworks going with the game still playing!
“Max Ballard winning the Mariners medal. Starting a chant at the Brisbane v Mariners grand final despite not having a voice! Being on the field with the flag before the Mariners v Melbourne Victory Grand Final.”
It’s Membership Week! How you can win BIG by securing your seat for 2026/27 today
The list goes on. But for Sam, it’s actually the sense of belonging and community spirit that she believes sets the Mariners apart. These days she attends matches with her husband, friends and, whenever she’s visiting, her mum.
“The club is family and the stadium on game day feels like home,” she says.
“No matter what happens, I love being there with my friends and husband. It’s been the most consistent thing in my life.”
Football has also given Sam friendships that extend well beyond the confines of polytec Stadium.
“Two of my best friends I met due to them sitting in front of me at the Mariners. They attended my wedding and even got a message from Josh Nisbet as a gift.”
Perhaps more importantly, supporting the Mariners helped her forge a connection with the region she now proudly calls home.
It’s Membership Week! How you can win BIG by securing your seat for 2026/27 today
“The Mariners were the first thing that made me feel like I belonged on the Central Coast.
“Since then I have represented the Coast at the Sydney Royal Easter Show as a showgirl, made lots of new friends and have a huge amount of pride for the Coast.
“If the Mariners had not existed, I’m not sure I would’ve felt that connection and stayed on the Coast.
“My husband and I recently even built our holiday plans around catching up with Max Ballard in the Netherlands and seeing him play. This was after becoming friends with him at the Mariners.”
The power of the beautiful game: “Being at the football makes me feel like I’m safe.“
Ross Anderson has never been content simply watching Sydney FC.
Before a ball had even been kicked in the Isuzu UTE A-League, he had already signed up as a member. At the same time, he volunteered to help build the club from the ground up.
More than two decades later, Ross remains one of Sydney FC’s most familiar faces.
“I have been the ballkid co-ordinator at Sydney FC since the beginning of the A League,” he says.
SUPER SUPPORT: Shining the spotlight on some of the A-Leagues’ biggest fans (Part 1)
“I also work A-League women’s games and do ground announcing at our NPL games. I’ve been a member since day one because I wanted to support the club in every way I could. I also signed my grandson up as a member on the day he was born. A club is a family. We work together to support our teams and club.”
Ross first became involved through former NSL player Brendan Renaud, who joined Sydney FC as Community Liaison Officer ahead of the inaugural season.
“I had been looking after the ballkids at Marconi towards the end of the NSL. One of the players, Brendan Renaud, became the Community Liaison Officer at Sydney FC and I got the role through him.
It’s Membership Week! How you can win BIG by securing your seat for 2026/27 today
“I wanted to be part of our new league and the Sydney club. Working the Grand Final in that first season just confirmed that I’d made a good decision. Very exciting day!”
For Ross, being a member was never just about having a seat at the football. It was about being a part of something that allowed him to give back to the game he loves and over the years, he’s become part of the fabric of matchday at Allianz Stadium.
“The club is like a family. Have made friends through the volunteer group and (other) members. When I walk the sideline on match days there are kids wanting high fives, regular fans saying hi.
“I try to encourage people to join up or at least become regulars. With the ballkids I try to impress on them that they represent the club.
“Locals in my suburb comment on the fact that I’m always wearing Sydney FC gear when I’m out and about.”
After more than 20 years at the club, choosing a favourite memory isn’t easy.
“So many unforgettable moments. That first Grand Final was certainly very exciting. Coming out of the Tunnel with the ballkids to a full house of Sydney FC and Mariners fans.
“The new league had arrived! Winning the Grand Final and being in the middle of the cauldron was awesome.”
Football has also strengthened family bonds, with the Andersons making it a proper family affair whenever the Sky Blues are playing.
“My two younger sons aged 37 and 33 attend the games regularly,” he says. “One or both attend the Sky Blue Ball with me each season.
“Whilst I’m not in the stands with them we travel together. The car ride home is post-mortem time and during the warm-up I have time to chat to fans over the fence. (Some of my) long term friends are amongst the volunteers. As I said earlier, it has the feeling of family.”
It’s Membership Week! How you can win BIG by securing your seat for 2026/27 today
Crucially for Ross, supporting Sydney FC has had a profound impact away from the game, with the Sky Blues stalwart admitting the bond he’s forged with the club, and football in general, has helped him in his day-to-day life when a ball isn’t being kicked.
“I have suffered from depression and anxiety for the entire time I’ve been a member/volunteer. Being at the football makes me feel like I’m safe. It provides me with self esteem.
“There are some many wonderful memories over all those seasons. Meeting inspiring people, connecting with players, watching some of our players develop from kids to senior players.”
Every matchday still carries the same excitement it did in the inaugural season.
“Everything,” he says, when asked what his favourite part of matchday is. “The walk from the car park, meeting people outside the stadium, taking the kids through to our dressing room pre-game, the chance to walk the stadium and say hello to members and fans I know.
“Sharing in a win, lamenting a loss…..together. Match Day is adrenalin, it’s life.”
For Ross, membership is about showing up, no matter the result and for anyone thinking about becoming a member, his message is simple.
“Don’t miss out. You will never regret becoming part of your club’s life blood. The match day will become part of your life. Be inspired!”
