B;acktpown FC has five Socceroos squad members including Mathew Ryan, Aaron Mooy, Mitchell Duke, Milos Degenek and Keanu Baccus who have all been gearing up to take part in the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
All five came through the Junior ranks of Blacktown City, which has long been regarded as one of Australia’s top developmental clubs. In the historic win over Tunisia, Ryan, Mooy and Mitch Duke were instrumental in the victory.
Along with the five players mentioned, you can also add in Socceroos goalkeeper coach John Crawley and the influence on the Socceroos from a Blacktown City perspective is enormous. Crawley, is an ex-Demons junior, who also captained and coached the team at senior level.
“I do not believe there would be another semi-professional club in the world at this very moment that helped contribute 20% of a national team make-up” said Blacktown City Executive Chairman, Bob Turner.
Huge credit for this success goes to current 1st grade head coach, Mark Crittenden, who has overseen many of these up-and-coming youngsters during his tenure at the club.
“Mark has set the culture of Blacktown City as one that not only wins but is committed to the development of young players”, said Turner.
“He has a disciplined and old school approach that has stamped Blacktown City’s authority as one of Australia’s premier football production lines,” Turner added.
Mark Crittenden, first became involved with Blacktown City nearly 20 years ago when his son joined their under-11s team, which he coached.
He slowly worked his way up the hierarchy, serving as senior boss for the past decade and, for the past three, the club’s head of football as well.
In the case of Matt Ryan, Socceroo Captain and the 75-cap goalkeeper who plays for Danish side FC Copenhagen, he genuinely wouldn’t be where he is today without Blacktown City and in particular Coach Crittenden.
Something about him that I liked
“He was on the verge of being let go,” said Crittenden. “We won the under-14s competition, and I was then given the under-15s the year after. The club was considering whether to retain him, basically due to the fact he was probably quite small for a keeper in those days. I’ve always been someone that goes with his gut feel, and there’s something about him that I really liked. I remember just saying, ‘Look, I want to give him another go”, Crittenden added. The rest is history.
Set to celebrate 70 years of football existence in 2023, there is much to be excited about at Blacktown City who hope to see more success stories continue from its Seven Hills precinct.
To celebrate their 70-year milestone, Blacktown City has designed a new logo for the coming season. The team is now in full training with the defence of their 2022 NSW Championship foremost in the mind of Coach Crittenden.
In other big news for the club, leading goal scorer, Travis Major, will be taking on an additional role with the club to become their full time Operations Manager.
Scoring his 100th goal for the club in this year’s Championship game, Major will combine both playing and administration in 2023.
The club took over full operational control of its home stadium (recently renamed Blacktown City Sports Stadium) late last year and the task ahead for Major is to maximise full use of the facility.
Blacktown City FC will continue to build on its reputation and service to the community it represents.
Recently, team sponsor Next Door organised a training session for the Blacktown City Youth men at North Curl Curl Surf Club. It was a great opportunity for the boys from the west to venture surfside!
