Perth Glory academy product Sebastian Despotovski is set for the first senior start of his Isuzu UTE A-League career in Saturday night’s Distance Derby against Wellington Phoenix.
In the days leading up to his inclusion in head coach David Zdrilic’s starting XI for the Round 1 fixture at AAMI Park, the 19-year-old expressed his eagerness to bear the weight of his famous surname as he pushes for regular minutes in his first full season with the Isuzu UTE A-League club’s senior squad.
Son of Glory legend Bobby Despotovski, 19-year-old Sebastian signed a two-year scholarship contract with Perth in June, two months after his Isuzu UTE A-League debut against Wellington Phoenix.
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After a gruelling pre-season under Glory head coach David Zdrilic, the teenage midfielder has revealed his motivation to live up to the hype that comes with being the son of the club’s all-time top scorer, who won two National Soccer League titles in purple and orange in the early 2000s.
“From when I was little kid, I’ve always wanted to play here at Glory, and now I get to do it,” Despotovski said.
“My debut (against Wellington) was one of the best feelings I’ve had, just standing there and then getting subbed on.
“My parents and family all came over, and at the end of the game I gave my shirt to my dad, which was a special moment for me.
“I’ve spoken to a few fans since. They tell me how they used to watch my dad, and now they can’t wait to see me actually start playing and see what I can do.
“I want to bring all of the old memories back that my dad gave them. I want to try to give them all their memories back.”
No matter how special, Despotovski’s debut kit hasn’t made it up on the memorabilia walls in the family household yet.
“There’s not really enough space,” he said. “In the hallway, there are eight shirts: four on each side. They’re just his shirts.
“He said once I actually start playing and winning trophies and all that, then maybe he will put one of my shirts up!”
Despotovski joined Glory’s academy aged 12 and impressed at all levels of the club’s youth ranks before breaking into the senior squad.
Ahead of his Isuzu UTE A-League debut in April, aleagues.com.au spoke to Glory academy head coach Joe Heath, who lauded the young midfielder as a player who can “create a goal out of anything.”
“I’ve been working with him since November now and his attitude has completely changed since then,” Heath told aleagues.com.au.
“I think he realises that he has to be at it every time he turns up. He can’t pick and choose when he wants to turn it on because he is that talented.
“He’s that type of player where if they want to turn it on, they can. But I’m trying to get it into him that you’ve got to be like that every time, every training session, every game.
“He’s got the ability to create a goal out of anything and I feel the way he’s playing, he’s one of the leaders in the group this year.
“Seb is that type of character where sometimes you almost don’t have to coach them as much as other players. You don’t want to limit what he does. You just let him express himself.”
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Heath has been a helpful presence for Despotovski this off-season as the son of a gun looks to make a big impact in his first full season in the Isuzu UTE A-League squad.
“Joe has come up to and been around like every day at training, so he’s been pretty big for me,” Despotovski said. “And obviously the likes of Josh Risdon, Brandon O’Neill and Taggs (Adam Taggart) have all been very, very positive.
“My personal goals for this season are to play every single game, start every game, score goals, assist and help the team win.
“Zdrila and the coaching staff, they haven’t promised anyone any game. They just said whoever’s working hard will get that opportunity, and when you get your opportunity, just make sure you do enough to stay in and around the squad.”
Despotovski and Glory kick off the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season at home against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night. The Distance Derby gets underway at HBF Park at 6.45pm AWST.
