He did not get the farewell he wanted on the pitch, but Matt McKay has received a massive accolade after playing his final Hyundai A-League match last week.
The two-time Championship winner with the Roar became the third played inducted in Brisbane Roar’s Hall of Fame at the club’s end-of-season awards night over the weekend.
McKay, who played his 272nd and final game for the club in the 5-3 Anzac Day loss to Adelaide United, joins triple-championship winners Michael Theo and Thomas Broich in the exclusive club.
McKay was one of three legends of the Hyundai A-League to bring down the curtain on their time with their respective clubs over the weekend.
Brisbane favourite Henrique, who missed the clash with the Reds through injury, and McKay were both given emotional farewells by the fans at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
A couple of days later, Mark Bridge also saw the end of his professional career as his Western Sydney Wanderers went down 1-0 against Melbourne Victory at ANZ Stadium.
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Bridge won two Hyundai A-League titles, at Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC, but produced some of his best football at the Wanderers, where he was much loved by the club’s supporters.
He scored Western Sydney’s first-ever Hyundai A-League goal, while he will forever be remembered for his role in the club’s 2014 AFC Champions League triumph before going on to become their most-capped player.
Here’s some of the social media tributes to these three greats of the Hyundai A-League.
2️⃣7️⃣2️⃣ appearances
2️⃣6️⃣ goals
2️⃣ championships
1️⃣ club legendThe latest inductee into the Brisbane Roar Hall of Fame!#RoarAsOne #BRFCGala pic.twitter.com/3PAJfpixXF
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) April 28, 2019
Congratulations and farewell, Matty McKay and @RIQUESILVA_33, much love from RFIM @brisbaneroar @bneroarfans pic.twitter.com/hfPl3kL97T
— Roar Fans In Melbourne (@RoarMelb) April 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/foetball247/status/1121375938778992640
"I am very grateful for the memories that football has given me and the life it has given me."
Matt McKay thanks the @brisbaneroar crowd for one last time.
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL #ALeague pic.twitter.com/78jWSOe79H— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 25, 2019
Absolute pleasure to play alongside these two. Looking forward to seeing what they get up to next! Thanks for the good times boys 🙌🏽 @RIQUESILVA_33 https://t.co/aFdozpe9eo
— Jack Hingert (@hingert19) April 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/RIQUESILVA_33/status/1122669664843128833
"It's one of the biggest heads of the @ALeague, it's in the Top 3" 😂
Some fine words from Oriol Riera on the lasting legacy Mark Bridge will leave at the Red & Black #WSW #ThankYouKingBridge pic.twitter.com/Nms3lErD88
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) April 29, 2019
My best mate, a legend of a guy and a top footballer! Scored too many goals against me over the years… all the best in retirement!! https://t.co/m3RDam3hx7
— Danny Vukovic (@vuka20) April 27, 2019
Unfortunately no win last night but thanks for the great support all season long. Congratulations to my friend Mark Bridge for an unbelievable career. 👑 pic.twitter.com/0gu01Y4iZ3
— Alexander Baumjohann (@AlexBaumjohann) April 28, 2019
Great respect shown by @gomvfc last night. Many of the players and most of the staff including the coaches stayed out long after the final whistle to watch Mark Bridge on stage be interviewed and farewelled in his final appearance 👏👏👏 @ALeague
— Rob Cornthwaite (@robcornthwaite) April 28, 2019
Go well Mark Bridge. Terrific career, top man. Always a pleasure to chat. Great character.
— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) April 27, 2019
Final pic with favourite player on his final day in the 🔴⚫⚽️ #ThankYouKingBridge #Olivia @wswanderersfc pic.twitter.com/iXnDQR5iBB
— Allan McCarlie 🏴🇭🇲⚽️ (@mccarlie_fc) April 27, 2019
End of an era. #WSW #ThankYouKingBridge pic.twitter.com/INWo1Qq2O7
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) April 27, 2019
