Nearly four years after she walked away, another Canberra United legend is coming out of retirement to power the Green Machine.
Former Matilda Ashleigh Sykes returns to United for the 2021/22 A-League / Women’s season, after using a stint in the NPL to rediscover her love for the game.
Sykes is the most capped player in Canberra united history. She has 113 appearances to her name to date, scoring 41 goals over 11 seasons and winning three Premierships and two Championships.
Sykes announced her retirement from football in February 2018 at 26 years of age, with the 2015/16 Julie Dolan Medal to her name along with the 2016/17 A-League / Women’s Golden Boot earned after striking eight times in four games through January 2017 to finish the campaign with 12 goals to her name.
She would return to the club as an injury replacement player in December, 2018, featuring five more times for the Green Machine.
Following in the footsteps of fellow Canberra legend Michelle Heyman, Sykes used her time away from Australia’s top flight to inspire a return to it.
“I found my love for football again playing with my club team Canberra Olympic this past winter season,” Sykes said.
“The players and coaches made it fun, and reminded me how much joy can be found on a football field.
“I’m hoping to get similar enjoyment from playing for Canberra United again, it’s always been my experience here and the team have made me feel welcome.
“I missed the feeling of competing every day with your teammates and for spots on the team. I love the challenge that this comeback presents. Getting match fit and back up to the standards that the A-League / Women’s demand is my driving force at the moment.
“It’s always a privilege to wear the Canberra United jersey and play for this club. I’m super excited by the opportunity from (head coach Vicki Linton) and the club to have me play for them. I hope to make an impact for the team and add some more firepower to our already talented attacking stocks.”
In Heyman and off-season recruit Allira Toby, Linton already possessed a strike force capable of causing damage through the 2021/22 season before the return of Sykes. The United head coach expects Sykes to make her impact felt as she arrives to compliment the strengths of both Toby and Heyman – but above all, she hopes the striker continues to enjoy her football.
“Ash is a quality player with so much experience and has been a massive part of this club from day one,” Linton said.
“I had the chance to work with her in my time with the Matildas and to be able to reunite with her here at club level is such a nice opportunity.
“Already she has shown her ability and intelligence as a player and she will no doubt have a positive impact for this team with her performances in games but also with her mentality and the culture she can bring in training.
“I am really glad she has this chance to come back and compete at a high level again and enjoy her football.”
