Western Sydney Wanderers celebrated being the newest oldest football club in Australia at the weekend.
Western Sydney Wanderers celebrated being the newest oldest football club in Australia at the weekend, as it was the 133rd anniversary of the first ever recorded match in NSW.
On August 14, 1880, the first ever recorded game of football took place in NSW in Parramatta. The game was played between a team from Kings School (The Kings XI) and a team that became known as the Wanderers.
To celebrate this historic occasion in our sporting history, a Heritage Wanderers team, made up of many ex-Socceroos, including Mark Bosnich, Craig Foster, Paul Wade, Francis Awaritife, Ian Hunter, Alex Tobin and Jim Fraser; all took to the field to play a Kings School eleven.
From the very start it was clear to see that the Kings School eleven, had youth on their side as they raced to a 3-1 lead at half time.
However, after a half time briefing from current Wanderers legend, Shinji Ono, the Heritage Wanderers pulled it back to 3.3 shortly after the break. Once again though, the legs in the Heritage Wanderers couldn-t keep up with the youth of Kings School as they won the game 5-3.
Foxsports Presenter, Mark Bosnich who played in the game said it was; “Wonderful to be here as part of history, first game of football ever played here in Australia, in 1880, by the Kings School, against the Gentlemen Wanderers, and wonderful to be here to celebrate our great and rich history they we have out here in Western Sydney.”
Another former Socceroo and football journalist, Craig Foster said; “It-s a great thing to remember for us it is very important. For the public to recognise that football began so long ago in this country. Throughout our period at various times it has been challenging.
“For me this is another brick in the wall of the game just turning around and extremely well done by the Wanderers for recognising, but it just the game now starting to turn around and look backwards and say, well done you guys started it, well done you guys supported it,” said Foster.
Western Sydney Wanderers kick start their 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season with an away game with current champions Central Coast Mariners.
