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Western Sydney Wanderers
Logo of Western Sydney Wanderers FC.svg
Full name Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club
Nickname(s) Wanderers, Red and black, Westies
Short name WSW
Founded 4 April 2012; 13 years ago (2012-04-04)
Ground CommBank Stadium
Ground Capacity 30,000
Owner Paul Lederer, Jefferson Cheng, Glenn Duncan, David Slade
Chairman Jefferson Cheng
Head coach Alen Stajcic
League A-League Men
2022–23 4th of 12

The Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club is a professional soccer team from Western Sydney, Australia. People often call them the Wanderers or WSW. They play in Australia's top soccer league, the A-League. The club has become very successful in Australia and Asia. They have won one A-League Premiership and the AFC Champions League title. As of 2024, they are the only Australian club to win the top Asian club competition.

The club started in April 2012. It was created with a strong focus on the community. People from Western Sydney helped choose the club's name, colours, and even its playing style. In their very first season (2012–13), the Wanderers won the A-League Premiership. They also reached the Grand Final. The next season, they finished second in the league. In 2014, they won the AFC Champions League in their first try. This made them the first Australian team to win this important Asian tournament.

The club's main office and training area are in Blacktown. They play their home games at Western Sydney Stadium. The club also has a youth team and a women's team. The youth team plays in the National Youth League. The women's team plays in the A-League Women. These teams play at different places in Western Sydney. The club even has a Powerchair Football team.

Club History

How the Wanderers Started

The idea for a soccer team in Western Sydney began around 2005. At first, Sydney FC was meant to be based there. But plans changed, and Sydney FC moved to the Eastern Suburbs. This meant Western Sydney still needed its own team.

By 2008, the league wanted to add more teams. A second Sydney team was a popular idea. After some attempts, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) decided to create a new club. This happened in April 2012. The FFA owned the club themselves at first. They even got money from the Australian Government to help start it.

Many famous Australian soccer players supported the idea. The local community also got involved. The FFA held meetings where people discussed the club's values, colours, and name. Fans voted for "Wanderers" as the team name. This name also honoured the first soccer club in Australia, Wanderers F.C., which played in the area in 1880.

Western Sydney Wanderers Launch Photo Three Players
The first three players to sign for the club: Aaron Mooy, Tarek Elrich, and Kwabena Appiah.

On May 17, 2012, Lyall Gorman became the club's chairman. Tony Popovic was named 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 announced. The first three players to sign were Aaron Mooy, Tarek Elrich, and Kwabena Appiah.

Tony Popovic's Time as Coach

First Season Success (2012–13)

Tony Popovic had to build a team quickly for the 2012–13 season. The squad included some lesser-known players and international stars like Shinji Ono from Japan. The Wanderers played their first game on October 6, 2012. It was a 0–0 draw. They won their first game three weeks later, beating Brisbane Roar 1–0.

The team started slowly but quickly became very strong. They had an amazing season, winning their first A-League Premiership. They went on a record-breaking winning streak of 10 games. This success earned them a spot in the 2014 AFC Champions League. They also reached the 2013 A-League Grand Final, but lost 0–2 to Central Coast Mariners. Popovic was named A-League Coach of the Year.

Second Season and Asian Glory (2013–14)

For the 2013–14 season, players like Brendon Santalab and Matthew Špiranović joined the team. The Wanderers stayed near the top of the league. They made their Champions League debut on February 26, 2014. They finished second in the A-League and reached their second Grand Final. They lost 1–2 to Brisbane Roar in extra time.

After the A-League season, the Wanderers continued their Champions League journey. They beat Japanese team Sanfrecce Hiroshima to reach the quarter-finals. Soon after, a group of owners bought the club. This group included Paul Lederer, Jefferson Cheng, Glenn Duncan, and David Slade.

Soccer Field Transparant.svg

Australia
Hamill
Australia
Topor-Stanley (C)
Australia
Cole
Australia
Golec
Croatia
Poljak
Italy
La Rocca
Australia
Appiah
Australia
Haliti
Australia
Bridge
Australia
Santalab
2014 AFC Champions League final second leg starting lineup

Winning the Asian Champions League (2014–15)

WesternSydneyWanderersACL2014SecondLeg
Western Sydney Wanderers fans celebrating their win in the Asian Champions League.

Before the 2014–15 season, the club signed new players like Vítor Saba and Romeo Castelen. They lost their first FFA Cup game. But their focus was on the AFC Champions League. They beat Guangzhou Evergrande and FC Seoul to reach the final.

In the final, the Wanderers played against Al-Hilal. They won the first game 1–0 at home. On November 1, 2014, they drew 0–0 in the second game, winning the AFC Champions League 1–0 overall! This made them the first Australian team to win this huge Asian title. Tony Popovic famously said, "We were called a small club yesterday – today we are the biggest in Asia." The club and Popovic won Asian awards for their success.

However, this success didn't carry over to the A-League. The team struggled because they played so many games. They also competed in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, finishing sixth. The Wanderers ended their third A-League season in ninth place. They were also knocked out of the Champions League early.

Building Again (2015–16)

Tony Popovic signed a new contract. He released almost half the squad and brought in many new players, including three from Spain. After a slow start to the 2015–16 A-League season, the Wanderers went on a seven-game winning streak. They finished second in the league.

In the finals, they had an exciting semi-final against Brisbane Roar. They won 5–4 in extra time to reach their third Grand Final in four years. However, they lost 1–3 to Adelaide United in the final. Many players left the club after this season.

Another Finals Appearance (2016–17)

The 2016–17 season started with a big loss to Sydney FC. But the Wanderers finally beat Sydney FC 1–0 in February. They also played in the Asian Champions League again but didn't make it past the group stage. They qualified for the A-League finals but lost in a penalty shootout to Brisbane Roar.

Changes in Coaching (2017–2024)

Josep Gombau's Time (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 to coach in Turkey. Hayden Foxe took over temporarily.

Josep Gombau became the new manager on November 1, 2017. The team had mixed results and struggled to win many games in a row. They finished the season in seventh place and did not make the finals. Gombau was fired in April 2018.

Markus Babbel's Time (2018–20)

The Wanderers then hired former German international player Markus Babbel in May 2018. The team had a tough start to the A-League season. They improved in the second half but still missed the finals.

The 2019–20 season was their first back at the new Western Sydney Stadium. They started well, winning their first three home games, including a 1–0 victory over Sydney FC. But after a poor run of games, Babbel was sacked in January 2020. Jean-Paul de Marigny became the temporary coach.

Jean-Paul de Marigny's Time (2020)

De Marigny led the team through the rest of the 2019–20 season, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They didn't lose to Sydney FC that season. He was made the full-time coach in July 2020. However, he was unexpectedly sacked in October 2020.

Carl Robinson's Time (2020–22)

Carl Robinson became the new head coach in October 2020. The team's performance was inconsistent. They had a brief period in first place but then dropped down the ladder. They finished the 2020–21 season in eighth place. Robinson was fired early in the 2021–22 season after a poor start and an early exit from the FFA Cup.

Marko Rudan's Time (2022–24)

Marko Rudan took over as coach in January 2022. The team had mixed results but managed a good 2–0 win against Sydney FC. Rudan was given a longer contract.

The 2022–23 season was marked by a big rivalry with Sydney FC. Former Sydney FC star Milos Ninkovic joined the Wanderers, which caused a stir. The Wanderers started the season strong. They finished fourth and made the finals. However, they lost to Sydney FC in a thrilling derby match in the elimination final.

The 2023–24 season started well in the Australia Cup, with big wins. But their league form was inconsistent. Star striker Brandon Borrello got injured. The team's performance dropped sharply in the second half of the season, including a record 0–7 loss to Melbourne City. They missed the finals, finishing seventh. Rudan left the club in May 2024.

New Leadership (2024–Present)

In June 2024, Paul Lederer stepped down as Chairman. Jefferson Cheng took over. The club then appointed Alen Stajcic as the new head coach. Many players left the club, and new ones like Bozhidar Kraev joined. The team started the 2024–25 Australia Cup with a win.

Club Colours and Badge

The Western Sydney Wanderers' main colours are red and black. Their first uniform had red and black hoops, white shorts, and black socks. The red and black colours were very popular with fans. The club's away kit also has a hoop design, usually in white and grey.

The club's badge shows parts of the Western Sydney area, like mountains and rivers. It has the club's name and a special "WSW" pattern. 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 club's office and training facilities are all in one place at Blacktown International Sportspark. This helps everyone at the club feel connected. In 2015, the club partnered with Blacktown City Council to make the Sportspark their long-term home. They spent $15 million to build a modern training centre with many soccer fields, a gym, and recovery areas.

Stadiums

SafeStandingWesternSydneyStadium
Western Sydney Stadium, the Wanderers' current home ground.
WesternSydneyWanderersAtSydneyShowground
Sydney Showground Stadium, a former home ground for the Wanderers.
Western Sydney Wanderers Fans (15317387915)
A Wanderers match at Parramatta Stadium, their first home ground.

The Wanderers first played their home games at Parramatta Stadium from 2012 to 2016. Fans often called it "Wanderland." This stadium was perfect for soccer games.

In 2015, the government announced that Parramatta Stadium would be replaced. A new 30,000-seat stadium, Western Sydney Stadium, was built on the same site. During construction, the Wanderers played at Sydney Showground Stadium and Stadium Australia in Sydney Olympic Park. The new Western Sydney Stadium opened in 2019, and the Wanderers have played there ever since.

Other stadiums like Campbelltown Stadium and Penrith Stadium have also hosted some Wanderers games. The Blacktown International Sportspark is often used for the women's and youth teams. In 2019, the club opened its own boutique stadium, Wanderers Football Park, at the Blacktown facility.

Fan Support

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 and is known for creating an amazing atmosphere at games. They are famous for their "Who do we sing for?" chant.

The RBB also does good things for the community. After the 2013 New South Wales bushfires, they raised $15,000 to help. In 2014, thousands of fans watched the AFC Champions League final together. Then, thousands more welcomed the team home at Sydney Airport after they won.

The club's membership has grown a lot since it started. In their first season, they had 7,500 members. By their third season, they had over 18,700 members.

Rivalries

Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Sydney FC

The Wanderers have a big rivalry with Sydney FC. This rivalry is one of the biggest in the A-League. It's based on the "East" versus "West" feeling in Sydney. The two teams first played each other in October 2012. Sydney FC won that first game 1–0. Later that season, the Wanderers beat Sydney FC 2–0. These games are often played in front of huge crowds and have an amazing atmosphere.

Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Macarthur FC

Another local rival for the Wanderers is Macarthur FC. This rivalry is also based on geography, as both teams are in Western Sydney. Macarthur FC is based in South Western Sydney, while the Wanderers represent the wider Western Sydney area. They first played each other in December 2020, with Macarthur winning 1–0.

Club Ownership

When the Wanderers started in 2012, the FFA owned the club. They tried to find someone to buy it, but no one did at first. So, the FFA ran the club for its first two years.

In May 2014, the FFA sold the club to a group of owners. This group was led by Australian businessman Paul Lederer, who became the chairman. Jefferson Cheng, Glenn Duncan, and David Slade were also part of this group. The new owners officially took over in June 2014.

Players

Australian A-League teams can have up to 23 players. Five of these players can be from other countries.

First-team Squad

No. Position Player
2 Australia DF Gabriel Cleur
3 Australia DF Alex Gersbach
4 Australia DF Alex Bonetig
5 Malta MF Dylan Scicluna
6 Iraq MF Mohamed Al-Taay
11 Australia FW Marcus Younis (scholarship)
17 Australia MF Jarrod Carluccio
18 Australia MF Oscar Priestman
20 Australia GK Lawrence Thomas (captain)
21 Australia FW Aydan Hammond (scholarship)
22 Australia DF Anthony Pantazopoulos
23 Bulgaria MF Bozhidar Kraev
24 Australia DF Nathan Barrie (scholarship)
25 Australia MF Joshua Brillante
No. Position Player
26 Australia FW Brandon Borrello
27 Australia FW James Temelkovski
28 Australia DF Joshua Laws
30 Australia GK Jordan Holmes
31 Australia DF Aidan Simmons
49 Australia FW Alaat Abdul-Rahman (scholarship)
64 Spain MF Juan Mata
New Zealand FW Kosta Barbarouses
Australia MF Phillip Cancar
Australia DF Ricky Fransen (scholarship)
Australia FW Alou Kuol
Australia DF Ben Mewett (scholarship)
Australia MF Steven Ugarkovic

Youth Players

These are young players who have been part of the first-team squad.

No. Position Player
40 Australia GK Tristan Vidackovic
41 Australia DF Jesse Cameron
No. Position Player
48 Australia FW Awan Lual
60 Australia GK Lucas Sinnott

Club Leaders

Head Coaches

Here's a list of the main coaches for the Western Sydney Wanderers:

Period Name Games Won Drawn Lost Win % Honours
2012–17 Australia Tony Popovic 180 76 44 60 42.2% A-League Premiers: 2012–13

AFC Champions League: 2014

2017–18 Spain Josep Gombau 22 7 5 10 31.8%
2018–20 Germany Markus Babbel 48 15 8 25 31.3%
2020 Australia Jean-Paul de Marigny 12 5 4 3 41.7%
2020–22 Wales Carl Robinson 35 11 11 13 31.4%
2022–2024 Australia Marko Rudan 47 16 14 17 34.04%
2024– Australia Alen Stajcic 2 2 0 0 100%

Team Captains

Here are the players who have been captain of the Wanderers:

Dates Name Honours (as captain)
2012–2014 Australia Michael Beauchamp 2012–13 A-League Premiership
2014–2016 Australia Nikolai Topor-Stanley 2014 AFC Champions League
2016–2017 Spain Dimas Delgado
2017–2018 Australia Robert Cornthwaite
2018–2019 Australia Brendan Hamill
2019–2020 Australia Mitchell Duke
2020–21 Australia Dylan McGowan
2021–22 Australia Rhys Williams
2022–24 Brazil Marcelo
2024– Australia Lawrence Thomas

Club Records

Brendon Santalab -11
Brendon Santalab is the Wanderers' all-time top goalscorer.

Mark Bridge has played the most games for the Wanderers, with 141 matches. Nikolai Topor-Stanley is second with 125 games.

Brendon Santalab is the club's all-time top goalscorer, with 41 goals. Mark Bridge is second with 38 goals.

The highest number of fans at a Wanderers home A-League game at Parramatta Stadium was 19,627 for a Sydney Derby in 2016. The most fans at any game at Parramatta Stadium was 20,053 for the 2014 AFC Champions League Final. The biggest crowd for a Wanderers home game at any stadium was 61,880 for a Sydney Derby at Stadium Australia in 2016.

Team Achievements

Season by Season Overview

Here's a quick look at the Wanderers' performance in recent seasons:

Season League Finals Australia Cup Other competitions Top goalscorer(s) Coach
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
QF
Australia Mitchell Duke 14 Germany Markus Babbel
Australia Jean-Paul de Marigny
2020–21 A-League 26 9 8 9 45 43 35 8th
n/a
Australia Bruce Kamau 9 Wales Carl Robinson
2021–22 A-League Men 26 6 9 11 30 38 27 10th
R16
Israel Tomer Hemed 6 Wales Carl Robinson
Australia Marko Rudan
2022–23 A-League Men 26 11 8 7 43 27 41 4th EF PR
Australia Brandon Borrello 13 Australia Marko Rudan
2023–24 A-League Men 27 11 4 12 44 48 37 7th
QF
Australia Lachlan Brook 14 Australia Marko Rudan

A-League Grand Finals Played

The Wanderers have played in three A-League Grand Finals:

Season Opponent Score Goalscorer(s) Location Attendance
2013 Central Coast Mariners 0–2
Allianz Stadium, Sydney 42,102
2014 Brisbane Roar 1–2* Špiranović Goal 56' Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 51,153
2016 Adelaide United 1–3 Neville Goal 58' Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 50,119

* – Match was decided during extra time

Asian Competition Record

The Wanderers have played in the AFC Champions League, Asia's top club competition:

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2014 AFC Champions League Group H South Korea Ulsan Hyundai 1–3 2–0 1st
China Guizhou Renhe 5–0 1–0
Japan Kawasaki Frontale 1–0 1–2
Round of 16 Japan Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2–0 1–3 3–3 (a)
Quarter-finals China Guangzhou Evergrande 1–0 1–2 2–2 (a)
Semi-finals South Korea FC Seoul 2–0 0–0 2–0
Final Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal 1–0 0–0 1–0
2015 AFC Champions League Group H Japan Kashima Antlers 1–2 3–1 3rd
China Guangzhou Evergrande 2–3 2–0
South Korea FC Seoul 1–1 0–0
2017 AFC Champions League Group F Japan Urawa Red Diamonds 0–4 1–6 4th
China Shanghai SIPG 3–2 1–5
South Korea FC Seoul 2–3 3–2

Honours and Awards

The Western Sydney Wanderers have won several important titles:

Domestic Titles

Performance Chart A-League Men WSW
Chart showing the Wanderers' league positions each year in the A-League Men.
  • A-League Men Premiership
    • Winners (1): 2012–13 (This means they finished first in the regular season)
    • Runners-up (2): 2013–14, 2015–16
  • A-League Men Championship
    • Runners-up (3): 2013, 2014, 2016 (This is the winner of the finals series)

Continental Titles

  • AFC Champions League Elite
    • Champions (1): 2014 (This is the biggest club competition in Asia)

International Competitions

  • FIFA Club World Cup
    • Sixth-place (1): 2014 (This competition brings together the best clubs from around the world)

Special Awards

  • AFC Club of the Year: 2014 (Award for the best club in Asia)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club para niños

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