With Version 5 of the Hyundai A-League underway Sydney FC’s main focus is on the team’s first home outing of the season against Adelaide United this Sunday but the club is also continuing the process of rebuilding the side that will defend the National Youth League title in 2009/10.
The Sky Blues today added another player to their roster, with Blacktown Demons- midfielder, Ray Miller becoming the club-s 10th NYL acquisition.
“I was here last year training a bit with them and just hearing the stories from the lads, they were kind of semi living the life of a professional footballer and I-m just glad I-ve got my chance,” said the 19-year old after finalising the move today.
“I-ve played (NSW) Premier League and now playing National Youth League. I just want to try and play as many games as I can and if I perform and get half a sniff, I-ll do whatever I can to take the next step up.”
This year-s junior Sky Blues will bear little resemblance to the team that took the title last season but the next generation is confident they can continue the legacy.
“The boys last year were just enormous, you can tell – they got 5 first team contracts,” said Miller. “We just want to get stuck into it and if we can do half the job they did last year then we-re going to go well. We-re just keen to get started.”
The young midfielder is excited about the opportunity he-s received at Sydney FC and is keen to follow in the footsteps of young stars like Kofi Danning and Brendan Gan.
“You play six or seven games and then all of a sudden they give you a chance in the first team. If you take your chance, who knows what can happen. There-s opportunity there and something to strive for so it-s great,” he explained.
“I-ve wanted it since I was young. I wouldn-t be here if I didn-t want to be a professional footballer so I-ve just got to keep working hard and hopefully it will pay off.”
Sydney FC is set to begin its National Youth League defence in early September.
