HERITAGE ROUND: Vasey’s dedication epitomizes Blacktown City spirit

If you have been to Lily’s Football Stadium to watch Blacktown City FC, chances are you have met Irene Vasey.
Vasey has been working in the club’s ticket box and at the front gate on match day for 34 years.
She has seen her beloved City play in the National Soccer League, win PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s championships and Waratah Cup titles.
But through it all, Blacktown has never lost its family feel.
“My partner got involved in the club as a director and during that time I went to games with him,” Vasey said.
“During that time they asked me to assist in the ticket box, and I’ve been there since.”
Vasey was also a director of the club for 12 years and says the club is like a family.
“We’re like a family. The players are very family orientated,” she said.
“They come and greet you every time they come to the ground, past players come back and when they do they look to see if I’m still there.
“It’s just a big family.”
And the club has taken on a bigger role in Vasey’s life in retirement.
“I love the company. I’m retired now, so I’ll keep going back as long as they will have me.”
Vasey said it was always great to be involved in a winning club – as Blacktown has been in recent seasons under the guidance of coach Mark Crittenden – but she said the club was a great place to be regardless of fortunes on the park.
“The boys are boys but when they do lose they don’t act out,” she said.
“Mark has been great too. He doesn’t dwell on losses.”
Among her fondest memories is meeting Liverpool and Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan who played some games with the club in the 1980s.
“We got to meet him which was great, I really enjoyed that,” Vasey said.
“Back in the 80s we used to take two coaches of supporters to away games.
“We had some beautiful people involved and we all enjoyed the atmosphere.”
– By Matt Galea

Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre