It’s like you’re in a dream. You’re working at a Hyundai A-League club and out of the blue, the first team coach tells you, ‘you’re in the squad for the weekend game’. But this is no dream for some lucky lads in the A-League.
Alex Pavlidis has gone from Melbourne City’s social media department to the club’s Hyundai A-League squad.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for the 23-year-old, who has answered an SOS from coach John van ‘t Schip to go from the world of retweets and Facebook posts to the world of pro soccer behind one of the world’s most recognised goalkeepers.
Hyundai A-League Round 4 ins-and-outs
The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who plays in the PS4 NPL Victoria with Pascoe Vale, has been drafted into the City squad as an injury replacement for Tando Velaphi.
Pavlidis was on the bench in the win over Central Coast Mariners last Sunday and will again be Thomas Sorensen’s understudy at AAMI Park against Newcastle Jets on tonight.
The man in charge for writing City’s tweets just a couple of weeks ago, could now be the subject of those posts.
It’s an incredible story but not the first time something like this has happened in the Hyundai A-League.
Does anyone remember the name Ryan Walsh?
The youngster travelled with Sydney FC to the Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii in 2008, primarily as the club’s kit man.
But if that wasn’t glamorous enough, an injury to Robbie Middleby in a clash against Houston Dynamo left the Sky Blues short on numbers.
Then-coach John Kosmina threw the 22-year-old Walsh into the fray for a tournament that also featured David Beckham’s LA Galaxy.
“He was coming over here anyway because of the requirements of his job.
“He’s a natural right back as well who can plug gaps left and right side. A great way to make your debut for Sydney FC,” Kosmina said at the time.
It spawned headlines such as, “Kit man to make Sydney FC debut” which added to the interest in the one-off tournament
“I just got him to join in training to make up the numbers a few weeks ago and was quietly impressed with how he went about his business. He’s a great character,” added Kossie.
But the most successful story of a staff member at an A-League club surely goes to Leigh Broxham.
The versatile defender/midfielder has played almost 200 games for Melbourne Victory and scored a goal in last season’s grand final but he also had an interesting start to his time at the club.
Originally brought in as a train-on player by then-coach Ernie Merrick, Broxham broke his foot to be ruled out for an extended period.
Instead of cutting him loose, Merrick brought in “Brox” as a team assistant, helping then assistant boss Aaron Healey with everything from organising the club gear to cleaning the change-rooms.
Broxham eventually got himself fit enough to ink a short-term deal and the rest is history.
See, dreams do come true.
