He stole all the headlines in Sydney FC’s barnstorming 5-0 round nine victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers last weekend but the scary signs are there that 19-year-old defender Thomas Fay can only get better.

Scoring a memorable hat-trick, his first ever in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, the former Wakehurst FC junior was elated with how his squad went about their business by not only winning the match, but doing it in style at a cold and windy Popondetta Park in Sydney’s West.

“It was a great win especially coming off the back of some tough results, the boys showed how good we can play and the true potential that we possess.

“On a personal note, I was stoked to get 3 goals too and most importantly win the game. I quite enjoyed the opportunity to play more forward which I’m quite comfortable with as I play a lot of my game in the attacking third from left back.”

Fay brought back the years he once played as a number ten before switching his position to left back but his attacking ability was there for all to be seen as he played an integral role in the Sky Blues’ big win.

It’s been a solid year for Fay and his teammates, backing up from a successful National Youth League campaign, Sydney FC have been one of the success stories in the rebooted NPL NSW Men’s competition.

The likes of names such as current Golden Boot leader Patrick Wood, Antonio Saracino, Callum Talbot, Levi Kaye, Patrick Yazbek, Scott Browning, Thomas Main as well as Benjamin Koop, Jake Hollman and Jordi Swibel have all proven to be quote a handful for rival NPL NSW Men’s opposition.

“The season so far has obviously been a bit crazy, but I think everyone has been buzzing to get back into it after COVID.

“We have come into the season off a successful NYL campaign and had some quality results before the break.

“We all worked very hard during the time off and pushed ourselves so when we came back we were ready to go and this has slowly shown, we have really enjoyed playing in the top flight in NSW.

“On a personal level, I have just been working hard on and off the field to get better each week and like most young players, I’m working towards making the step up into the senior A-League environment.

“I just want to focus on consistently performing well for the remainder of the season and hopefully through to the finals.”

Currently sitting in fifth position a point outside the top four, Fay knows this Sunday’s massive blockbuster round ten clash against the highly fancied and 2019 Premiers Wollongong Wolves at the Illinden Sports Centre is a must win if they have any chance of playing finals football for the first time in its NPL NSW Men’s history.

“Wollongong Wolves this Sunday will be a good contest; they have some quality players on their roster and we need to be on our game to ensure we achieve a positive result.

“It’s a must win for us to have a shot at making our first ever NPL NSW Men’s top tier finals series which is very important to us so the boys will be ready to go.”

Sydney FC’s young and ambitious coach Jimmy Van Weeren is no stranger to the former Australian youth international’s ability.

Fay stated to Football NSW that he and the boys have really enjoyed his coaching methods and are hoping to repay him with a finals series finish.

“Jimmy has been great, he pushes us everyday at training to continue to work harder along with the other coaching staff.

“I have been coached by Jimmy for a while now since I was quite young, and he has helped me grow as a player.

“Jimmy’s put a lot of trust in us to perform each week, especially with some of the younger boys coming in the squad and its up to us as players to repay him for his faith which we all want to do.”

Remember the name Patrick Wood, the young Sydney FC striker hit the NPL NSW Men’s headlines after scoring four goals in the young Sky Blues’ 6-1 demolition of the North Shore Mariners last Sunday bringing the talented 17-year-old’s goal scoring tally to six goals for the recently rebooted 2020 season.

“I was very happy after the Mariners match, the team worked really well together to create a lot of chances and I was glad that I was able to convert these into goals to give us a strong lead as well as getting the three points.

“I’ve been feeling fit and strong, I’ve just got to keep going and make the most of the chances that I’m given – I am really pushing for more goals each week.”

The Year 12 St Pauls Catholic College Manly student was appreciative of the support and opportunities Sky Blues coach Jimmy Van Weeren has shown in giving the lethal marksman a chance in NSW’s top-flight.

“Jimmy has been really supportive and has shown a lot of confidence in me and pushes the boys to become better players each session as well.

“I’ve had Jimmy as a coach for the last few years now and have developed a great rapport with him.

“I want to repay him by continuing on with good performances as well as scoring goals.”

Yet to train with Steve Corica’s senior A-League squad, it’ll only be a matter of time until Wood gets that anticipated call-up.

“I haven’t trained with the senior boys yet, but I am hoping to get a run in the near future as well as be part of the first team setup which has been a dream of mine.”

Kicking off his junior football with Manly Football Association side Collaroy Cromer Strikers, Wood made the step-up to NPL Youth Football with Manly United before winning selection into the Sydney FC academy in its inaugural year.

Asked what his objectives were for the 2020 season, Wood stated to Football NSW.

“I am really working hard towards winning selection into the Young Socceroos setup as well as continuing on with scoring, hopefully challenging for the Golden Boot in our NPL NSW Men’s competition.

“Earning myself a first team contract is also on my objectives list, but I want to continue playing good football for my side as well as winning as many matches as possible.”

You can watch Patrick Wood and co this Friday when Sydney FC take on APIA Leichhardt FC at Lambert Park with kick off set for 7pm – for those yet to register to NPL.TV, you can still do so by clicking here. 

Fresh from getting some memorable game time with Sydney FC’s A-League outfit recently, the Sky Blues’ NPL rising star Jordi Swibel has put his career on hold temporarily but has kept a level head amidst the current COVID-19 crisis hitting our shores.

Sydney FC’s NPL NSW golden boy who took out an Ultra Football Goal of the Week award recently, has pulled out all stops in ensuring he stays fit, healthy and raring to go when the league hopefully resumes.

“It’s been a strange time as footballers we’re used to a routine, so to have that completely taken away from all of us is a big shock to the system.

“At Sydney FC, we have been training all the way up until the announcement of the suspension of the A-League, so the self-isolation is quite new to me.

“I’m still training on my own and am studying full-time at University, so I’ve still got plenty to occupy myself with.”

Swibel was fortunate that prior to the suspension of Football, he was training regularly with the Sky Blues’ senior team that has kept him on his toes.

“I was fortunate with this as I was able to train with the A-League side before official lockdown kicked in.

“I’m missing it already!

“At the moment I’m still doing my own training sessions at home and at the park to keep fit.

“I’m doing lots of Uni work as I’ve got so much free time which is really a blessing in disguise.

“Other than that, I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix, reading some good books, and playing PlayStation.

“I’ve got some weights at home which I’ve been using to maintain some strength, there’s also a synthetic pitch right across the road from my house so I’ve been doing some ball work and fitness sessions there too.”

Swibel is a full-time footballer with club’s senior squad and that has kept the former Hakoah junior ticking over during this rough period.

“I’m fortunate enough to be full-time with the A-League squad so I don’t have to work another job outside of football which I know a lot of other NPL players do and I take my hat off to them.”

The 20-year-old who is only just starting his journey as a professional footballer but hopes that the message of staying home by the Government is sinking in to all as the quicker this is actioned, the quicker he and tens of thousands of footballers are able to grace the football pitches across the nation and globe.

Swibel also stressed the importance of keeping healthy, mentally especially, in getting through these tough stages.

“Firstly, I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

“These are unprecedented times and we’re not sure how long this is going to last for, we are all missing football immensely but as long as everyone sticks to the self-isolation rules and listens to the advice provided by the Government and health experts we will be back playing sooner rather than later.

“I’d also like to say that if anyone is struggling mentally during this time, whether that’s through stress, anxiety or depression please let someone know.

“There is no health without mental health so if you feel like you need to talk to someone during this time, don’t hesitate.

“It could be a family member, a friend, a coach, a teammate or anyone you feel comfortable talking to.”

Football at the Swibel household is quite simply life as Jordi states that its match days that he misses the most.

“I miss playing on the weekends.

“Simple as that.

“Nothing beats game day and I know everyone in the football community misses it too.”

The grind never stops for Sydney FC young gun Jordi Swibel as shown in self-isolation mode