Western Sydney Wanderers FC facts for kids
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| Full name | Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Wanderers, Red and black, Westies | ||
| Short name | WSW | ||
| Founded | 4 April 2012 | ||
| Ground | CommBank Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 30,000 | ||
| Owner | Paul Lederer, Jefferson Cheng, Glenn Duncan, David Slade | ||
| Chairman | Jefferson Cheng | ||
| Manager | Alen Stajcic | ||
| League | A-League Men | ||
| 2022–23 | 4th of 12 | ||
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The Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club is a professional soccer team from Western Sydney, Australia. People often call them the Wanderers or the Red and Black. They play in Australia's top soccer league, the A-League.
The club started in April 2012. It quickly became a strong team in Australia and Asia. The Wanderers have won one A-League Premiership. They also won the AFC Champions League title. This made them the first Australian team to win Asia's biggest club competition.
The Wanderers were created with a focus on the community. People from Western Sydney helped choose the club's name and colours. In their very first season (2012–13), they won the A-League Premiership. They also reached the Grand Final. The club's home ground is Western Sydney Stadium. They also have a youth team and a women's team.
Contents
- Club History
- Club Colours and Badge
- Club Facilities
- Fan Support
- Club Rivalries
- Club Ownership
- Players
- Club Staff
- Club Records
- Team Achievements
- Honours and Awards
- Images for kids
Club History
How the Wanderers Started
The idea for a soccer team in Western Sydney began around 2005. The area was considered a great spot for a new club. However, Sydney FC was chosen as the first Sydney team. They had a deal that stopped other Sydney teams from forming for five years.
By 2008, the league wanted to grow. They planned to add more teams, including a second one in Sydney. After some challenges, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) decided to create a new club in Western Sydney. This happened in April 2012.
Building the Team
The FFA decided to own and run the new club themselves at first. This was because they needed a tenth team for the league. The Australian Government even gave $4 million to help start the club.
Local soccer fans were very excited. The FFA held meetings across Western Sydney. Community members talked about the club's values, playing style, and even suggested names and colours. Fans overwhelmingly chose "Wanderers" as the name. This name also honoured the first soccer club in Australia, Wanderers F.C., from 1880.
On May 17, 2012, Lyall Gorman became the club's first chairman. Soon after, Tony Popovic was announced as the first head coach. He wanted to build a team from scratch. On June 25, 2012, the club's name, logo, and colours were officially revealed. The first three players signed were Aaron Mooy, Tarek Elrich, and Kwabena Appiah.
The Tony Popovic Years (2012–2017)
First Season Success (2012–13)
Tony Popovic had to build a team quickly for the 2012–13 A-League season. He signed players like Japanese international Shinji Ono. The Wanderers played their first game on October 6, 2012, a 0–0 draw. Their first win came three weeks later, a 1–0 victory against Brisbane Roar.
The team had a slow start but soon became a top club. They set a record with an undefeated streak, including 10 straight wins. This helped them win their first A-League Premiership. They also qualified for the 2014 AFC Champions League. The Wanderers reached the 2013 A-League Grand Final but lost 2–0 to Central Coast Mariners. Popovic was named A-League Coach of the Year.
Second Season and Asian Debut (2013–14)
In their second season, the Wanderers continued to do well. They finished second in the A-League. On February 26, 2014, they played their first AFC Champions League match. They finished top of their group and moved to the next round.
The Wanderers reached their second A-League Grand Final in a row. They played Brisbane Roar and lost 2–1 in extra time. After this, they had to quickly play their Champions League Round of 16 match. They beat Japanese team Sanfrecce Hiroshima to reach the quarter-finals.
Winning the Asian Champions League (2014–15)
The 2014–15 season was historic. The Wanderers continued their journey in the AFC Champions League. They beat Chinese team Guangzhou Evergrande in the quarter-finals. Then, they defeated Korean team FC Seoul in the semi-finals.
On November 1, 2014, the Western Sydney Wanderers won the 2014 AFC Champions League Final. They beat Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal 1–0 over two games. This made them the first and only Australian team to win this major Asian tournament! Coach Tony Popovic was named Asian Coach of the Year.
After their Asian success, the team struggled in the A-League. They also played in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. They finished sixth in that tournament. The team played many games that year, which made the season very tough.
More Grand Finals (2015–16)
For the 2015–16 season, Popovic brought in many new players. The team started slowly but then went on a seven-game winning streak. They finished second in the A-League.
In the finals, they hosted Brisbane Roar at Parramatta Stadium. It was a thrilling game, with the Wanderers winning 5–4 in extra time. This sent them to their third Grand Final in four years. However, they lost 3–1 to Adelaide United in the 2016 A-League Grand Final.
Final Season with Popovic (2016–17)
The 2016–17 season started with a big loss to Sydney FC. The Wanderers finally beat Sydney FC 1–0 in February. They also played in the Asian Champions League again but did not make it past the group stage. The team qualified for the A-League finals but lost in a penalty shootout to Brisbane Roar.
New Coaches (2017–2024)
Josep Gombau (2017–18)
The Wanderers started the 2017–18 season well in the FFA Cup. But then, in a big surprise, coach Tony Popovic left the club in October 2017. Josep Gombau became the new manager in November. The team had mixed results and finished seventh in the league, missing the finals. Gombau was fired in April 2018.
Markus Babbel (2018–20)
In May 2018, former German player Markus Babbel took over as coach. The team struggled in the first half of the 2018–19 A-League season. They improved later but still missed the finals.
The 2019–20 season was special because the Wanderers moved into their new home, Western Sydney Stadium. They won their first three games there, including a 1–0 victory against Sydney FC in front of a record crowd. However, after a poor run of games, Babbel was sacked in January 2020.
Jean-Paul de Marigny (2020)
Jean-Paul de Marigny became the caretaker coach. The team had some good results, including not losing to Sydney FC all season. He was made full-time coach in July 2020. The league was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When it restarted, the Wanderers finished ninth. De Marigny was unexpectedly sacked in October 2020.
Carl Robinson (2020–22)
Carl Robinson became the new head coach in October 2020. The team had inconsistent results during the 2020–21 season. They were briefly in first place but then dropped down the ladder. They finished eighth and missed the finals. Robinson was fired after seven games of the 2021–22 season.
Marko Rudan (2022–24)
Marko Rudan was appointed coach in January 2022. He helped the team improve, including a 2–0 win against Sydney FC. He signed a longer contract. In the 2022–23 season, the Wanderers had a strong start and finished fourth. They played Sydney FC in their first-ever A-League finals derby but lost 2–1.
The 2023–24 season started well in the Australia Cup, with big wins. However, the team's league form was inconsistent. They had a tough second half of the season, including a record 7–0 loss. They finished seventh and missed the finals. Rudan left the club in May 2024.
New Leadership and Coach (2024–)
In June 2024, Paul Lederer, the long-serving Chairman, stepped down. Jefferson Cheng took over as Chairman. The club then appointed Alen Stajcic as the new head coach. He had worked with Jefferson Cheng before. The team started the 2024–25 season with a win in the Australia Cup.
Club Colours and Badge
The Western Sydney Wanderers' main colours are red and black. Their home jersey has red and black hoops. Their away kit usually features white and grey.
The club's badge shows parts of the Western Sydney area. These include mountains, valleys, and rivers. The badge also has the club's initials, "WSW," in a special design. After winning the 2014 AFC Champions League, a gold star was added to the top of the badge. This star shows they are Asian champions.
Club Facilities
The Wanderers have their office and training facilities in Blacktown. This helps all staff feel like part of one team. In 2015, they partnered with Blacktown City Council. They built a $15 million training centre. This centre has many soccer fields, a gym, and sports science facilities.
Stadiums
The Wanderers have played at a few different stadiums.
| Coordinates | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33°48′29″S 150°59′59″E / 33.808056°S 150.999722°E | Parramatta, New South Wales | Parramatta Stadium | 24,000 | 2012–2016 |
| 33°50′35″S 151°04′04″E / 33.843056°S 151.067778°E | Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales | Sydney Showground Stadium | 24,000 | 2016–2019 |
| 33°50′50″S 151°03′48″E / 33.847222°S 151.063333°E | Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales | Stadium Australia | 83,500 | 2016–2019 |
| 33°48′29″S 150°59′59″E / 33.808056°S 150.999722°E | Parramatta, New South Wales | Western Sydney Stadium | 30,000 | 2019– |
From 2012 to 2016, Parramatta Stadium was their home. Fans called it "Wanderland." The stadium was later knocked down to build a new one.
During construction, the Wanderers played at Sydney Showground Stadium and Stadium Australia. Both are in Sydney Olympic Park.
In 2019, the new Western Sydney Stadium opened in Parramatta. This is now the Wanderers' main home ground. It can hold 30,000 fans.
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The club also uses other stadiums in Western Sydney. These include Campbelltown Stadium and Penrith Stadium for some games. The youth and women's teams often play at Blacktown International Sportspark. In 2019, the club opened its own boutique stadium there, called Wanderers Football Park.
Fan Support
| Season | Attendance | Members | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | 12,466 | 7,500 | |
| 2013–14 | 14,860 | 16,100 | |
| 2014–15 | 12,520 | 18,706 | |
| 2015–16 | 14,297 | 18,370 | |
| 2016–17 | 17,745 | 20,021 | |
| 2017–18 | 11,924 | 19,025 | |
| 2018–19 | 9,191 | 16,623 | |
| 2019–20 | 9,872* | 17,325 | *Affected by COVID Restrictions |
| 2020–21 | 8,062 | 18,536 |
The Western Sydney Wanderers have many passionate fans. Their main supporters' group is called the "Red and Black Bloc" (RBB). This group started in 2012. They are known for creating an amazing atmosphere at games. They have a famous chant, "Who do we sing for?".
The RBB also helps with good causes. After the 2013 New South Wales bushfires, they raised $15,000 for charity. When the Wanderers won the Asian Champions League in 2014, thousands of fans gathered to watch the final on a big screen. Then, they welcomed the team home at the airport.
In their first season, the Wanderers had 7,500 members. By their second season, this grew to 16,100 members. Many famous Australians are also Wanderers fans.
Club Rivalries
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Sydney FC
The biggest rivalry for the Wanderers is against Sydney FC. This is known as the "Sydney Derby." It's a big deal because it represents the "East" versus "West" rivalry in Sydney. The two teams first played on October 20, 2012. Sydney FC won that game 1–0. Later that season, the Wanderers beat Sydney FC 2–0. These games are often played in front of sold-out crowds. The atmosphere is always amazing.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Macarthur FC
Another local rival is Macarthur FC. This rivalry is also based on geography. Both teams are in Greater Western Sydney. Macarthur FC is based in the South West, while the Wanderers represent the wider Western Sydney region. Their first game was on December 30, 2020. Macarthur won that match 1–0.
Club Ownership
When the Western Sydney Wanderers started in 2012, the FFA owned the club. They tried to find private owners. In May 2014, a group led by Australian businessman Paul Lederer bought the club. Paul Lederer became the chairman. Other owners included Jefferson Cheng, Glenn Duncan, and David Slade.
Players
The Wanderers' team has 23 players. Five of them can be from other countries. Three players must be under 23 years old.
Current First-Team Squad
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Players on Loan
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Youth Players
These players have been part of the first-team squad.
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Club Staff
| Western Sydney Wanderers Staff | ||||||
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Head Coach History
This table shows the coaches who have led the Western Sydney Wanderers.
| Period | Name | G | W | D | L | % | PPG | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–17 |  Tony Popovic |
180 | 76 | 44 | 60 | 42.2% | 1.49 | A-League Premiers: 2012–13 A-League Coach of the Year: 2012–13 AFC Champions League: 2014 Asian Coach of the Year: 2014 |
| 2017 | Hayden Foxe  |
6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 16.7% | 1.40 | |
| 2017–18 |  Josep Gombau |
22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 31.8% | 1.18 | |
| 2018–20 |  Markus Babbel |
48 | 15 | 8 | 25 | 31.3% | 1.10 | |
| 2020 | Jean-Paul de Marigny |
12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 41.7% | 1.83 | |
| 2020–22 |  Carl Robinson |
35 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 31.4% | 1.26 | |
| 2022–2024 | Marko Rudan |
47 | 16 | 14 | 17 | 34.04% | 1.31 | |
| 2024– | Alen Stajcic |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | n/a |
Team Captains
Here are the players who have been captain of the Wanderers.
| Dates | Name | Notes | Honours (as captain) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–2014 | Michael Beauchamp |
First club captain | 2012–13 A-League Premiership |
| 2014–2016 | Nikolai Topor-Stanley |
2014 AFC Champions League | |
| 2016–2017 | Dimas Delgado |
First foreign captain | |
| 2017–2018 | Robert Cornthwaite |
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| 2018–2019 | Brendan Hamill |
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| 2019–2020 | Mitchell Duke |
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| 2020–21 | Dylan McGowan |
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| 2021–22 | Rhys Williams |
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| 2022–24 |  Marcelo |
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| 2024– | Lawrence Thomas |
Club Records
Mark Bridge has played the most games for the Wanderers, with 141 matches. Nikolai Topor-Stanley is second with 125 games.
The highest goalscorer for the Wanderers in all competitions is Brendon Santalab, with 41 goals. Mark Bridge is second with 38 goals.
The biggest home crowd for an A-League game at Parramatta Stadium was 19,627. This was for a Sydney Derby in 2016. The largest crowd at any stadium for a Wanderers home game was 61,880. This was also for a Sydney Derby at Stadium Australia in 2016.
Team Achievements
Season-by-Season Overview
This is a quick look at the Wanderers' last five seasons.
| Season | League | Finals | Australia Cup | Other competitions | Top goalscorer(s) | Coach | ||||||||||
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| Division | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | ACL | CWC | Name(s) | Goals | ||||
| 2019–20 | A-League | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 35 | 40 | 33 | 9th |
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QF |
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Mitchell Duke |
14 | Markus Babbel Jean-Paul de Marigny |
| 2020–21 | A-League | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 45 | 43 | 35 | 8th |
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n/a |
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Bruce Kamau |
9 | Carl Robinson |
| 2021–22 | A-League Men | 26 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 30 | 38 | 27 | 10th | R16 |
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 Tomer Hemed |
6 | Carl Robinson Marko Rudan |
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| 2022–23 | A-League Men | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 43 | 27 | 41 | 4th | EF | PR |
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Brandon Borrello |
13 | Marko Rudan |
| 2023–24 | A-League Men | 27 | 11 | 4 | 12 | 44 | 48 | 37 | 7th |
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QF |
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Lachlan Brook |
14 | Marko Rudan |
A-League Grand Finals Played
The Wanderers have reached the A-League Grand Final three times.
| Season | Opponent | Score | Goalscorer(s) | Location | Attendance |
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| 2013 | Central Coast Mariners | 0–2 |
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Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 42,102 |
| 2014 | Brisbane Roar | 1–2* | Špiranović  56' |
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 51,153 |
| 2016 | Adelaide United | 1–3 | Neville 58' |
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | 50,119 |
* – Match was decided during extra time
Asian Competition Record
The Wanderers have played in the AFC Champions League several times.
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | AFC Champions League | Group H |  Ulsan Hyundai |
1–3 | 2–0 | 1st |
 Guizhou Renhe |
5–0 | 1–0 | ||||
 Kawasaki Frontale |
1–0 | 1–2 | ||||
| Round of 16 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
2–0 | 1–3 | 3–3 (a) | ||
| Quarter-finals | Guangzhou Evergrande |
1–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 (a) | ||
| Semi-finals | FC Seoul |
2–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | ||
| Final |  Al-Hilal |
1–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | ||
| 2015 | AFC Champions League | Group H | Kashima Antlers |
1–2 | 3–1 | 3rd |
| Guangzhou Evergrande |
2–3 | 2–0 | ||||
| FC Seoul |
1–1 | 0–0 | ||||
| 2017 | AFC Champions League | Group F | Urawa Red Diamonds |
0–4 | 1–6 | 4th |
| Shanghai SIPG |
3–2 | 1–5 | ||||
| FC Seoul |
2–3 | 3–2 | ||||
Asian Club Ranking
This shows where the Wanderers rank among Asian clubs.
| Current Rank | Country | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 |  |
Saipa F.C |  1319 |
| 129 | |
S.C. Damash Gilan | 1317 |
| 130 | |
Western Sydney Wanderers | 1316 |
| 131 | |
Melbourne Victory |  1315 |
| 132 | |
Al Raed | 1314 |
Updated May 14, 2022
Honours and Awards
The Wanderers have won several important titles and awards.
Domestic Titles
- A-League Men Championship
- Runners-up (3 times): 2013, 2014, 2016
- A-League Men Premiership
- Winners (1 time): 2012–13
- Runners-up (2 times): 2013–14, 2015–16
Continental Titles
- AFC Champions League
- Champions (1 time): 2014
International Competitions
- FIFA Club World Cup
- Sixth-place (1 time): 2014
Awards
- AFC Club of the Year: 2014
Images for kids
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Chart of yearly table positions for Western Sydney Wanderers in A-League Men
