Continuing on with the recent surge in National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s players signing with A-League clubs has seen former Sydney United 58 striker Patrick Antelmi earn himself a contract with Western United for the duration of the 2019/20 season.

Antelmi will link up with former Sydney United 58 coach Mark Rudan with the 26-year-old using this as a huge opportunity to secure a permanent spot in the squad for next season.

“Patrick has earned his place through his solid performances at NPL level with Sydney United. He will improve our frontline and add depth in the area,” Rudan said.

The club has also signed Western Sydney Wanderers NPL youth player Nicolas Milanovic.

The youngster joins the club on a scholarship contract that will him wear the green and black until at least the end of the 2020-21 season.

“Nicolas has a lot of good qualities that we believe will allow him to develop and improve further at our football club,” Rudan said.

Antelmi and Milanovic are in Sydney with the rest of the squad and will be available for selection for Western United’s remaining A-League fixtures.

This follows on from the news of Perth Glory signing former Wollongong Wolves striker Thomas James and Sydney United 58 midfielder Yianni Perkatis for the remainder of the A-League season.

Sydney United 58 defender Yianni Fragogiannis was pretty excited to return to training once more, and why wouldn’t he be? Apart from being able to train with his teammates again post COVID-19 restrictions, the famous National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s club recently completed its surface upgrade headlining it as one of the best artificial pitches in the country.

“It’s been a breath of fresh air with everything that’s been going on in the world the last few months to have been given the green light to train once more.

“Like most people, the main priority is the health (both mentally and physically) wellbeing of the community so to see the positive results with restrictions easing has been great to see. I hope this trend continues so we can all go back to doing the things we love as we did before this virus hit.

“We’re extremely lucky at Sydney United to have the best facilities with the new pitch, and the best coaching staff going around so to be able to work with everyone again has been refreshing.

“The pitch itself is in immaculate condition and as a player you enjoy playing on quality grounds, we can’t wait to zing a few balls on the pitch that’s for sure.”

The 29-year-old highlighted that his weekends of playing in the nation’s best NPL competition has been sorely missed under the watchful eye of head coach and former Socceroo Zeljko Kalac.

“Definitely the thing I miss most is match day’s every weekend.

“You honestly cannot replicate the competitive edge that comes around each weekend during the season and as a club we hope that we can play some form football this year.”

Since the COVID-19 lockdown in March, Fragogiannis was fortunate that as a commercial broker, its been business as usual occupation wise.

“Correct, I work in the financial services industry as a commercial broker, so I’ve been quite lucky in the sense that I’ve still been able to work (albeit through other methods such as Zoom, Skype etc).

“I think we definitely need to recognise the unbelievable work that our health workers do each and every day to protect the community. They’re the real heroes through all of this and should be commended for their efforts.

“I’ve been very fortunate in the sense that my immediate family/friends and I haven’t been impacted too badly over the last few months. My heart goes out to those families that have been affected and I sincerely hope that there hasn’t been a significant negative impact amongst the football community in NSW and Australia as a whole.”

In his eighteenth season playing the game he loves, the former Sutherland Sharks and Blacktown City star enjoyed spending time at home during the self-isolation period and picked up the sport of Golf during the unprecedented layoff.

“I love being at home in general so for me nothing really changed when the restrictions were at its highest earlier in the year.

“Spending time with my wife, close family and friends more recently has been a blessing in disguise as we all live very busy lives so take a step back from all of that has been good in a way.

“I also picked up a hobby in the form of Golf. I’m no Tiger Woods but it’s something I’ve really enjoyed doing every weekend since football stopped.”

 

Known as one of Australia’s most iconic football pitches, Sydney United Sports Centre home to National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s outfit Sydney United 58 has completed its artificial pitch playing surface upgrade and replacement of shock pad during the COVID-19 break.

Along with the surface update, the former NSL giants have also upgraded its stormwater system after three months of hard work, reigniting its spark after the Reds first laid out the artificial turf eight years ago.

This was all thanks to the hard work and efforts of the club who project managed the upgrade which included sourcing the materials as well as the labour.

As is this case for any finished artificial surface, official testings take place following any upgrade and Sydney United Sports Centre was given the green light as a FIFA pro approved pitch, a rarity in Australia, allowing international matches to be played, further delighting the Edensor Park based club officials.

The new surface will be ready to go for Sydney United 58 that features teams in SAP, Youth as well as Senior Football NSW competitions along with keeping the facility active all season long including summer football on top of playing during the wet weather season.

The club hopes it can see its SAP and Youth teams have their first taste of the new surface along with Zeljko Kalac’s senior side as soon as the green light is given for football training to return following the ease of COVID-19 restrictions.

COVID-19 may have halted the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s football season for now, but one hobby Sydney United 58 keeper Tom Manos has concentrated on has been updating his serious sneaker collection.

A formal definition of a sneakerhead is a person who collects, trades, and/or admires sneakers as a form of hobby, a description Manos fits perfectly.

“I own around 50 personal pairs but that’s just going to keep growing.

“The more that release, the more I seem to want – Not the smartest am I.”

Asked what his personal top five pairs from his elite selection were Manos replied to Football NSW.

“That is a tough question to be honest because quite a few of my favourite pairs I haven’t actually worn.

“They look too good to even consider wearing.

“Coming in at number 5 is the OG Yeezy 700. Very comfortable and can be work with anything.

“Number 4 would have to be the Nike Sacai runners. Clean shoe and aren’t overly extravagant.

“Number 3 I think would be the MCA Off White Air Force 1. Chicago exclusive, managed to get my hands on a pair in my size so I’m buzzing about that, even though I’ll probably never wear them.

“Number 2 is another pair I haven’t worn, the Nike MarsYard 2.0. No words to describe them. Fell in love when I got them, and don’t think I’m game enough to wear them.

“And number 1 (drum roll please) it’s the Off-White Chicago Air Jordan 1. The original was such an iconic shoe and the twist that was put on them made them a must. Haven’t worn those either.

“I am also on the look-out for a few Jordan 4 Travis Scott samples and Player Editions so that top five will change once I can get my hands on those.”

Apart from collecting and selling sneakers Manos has kept himself rather busy during the COVID-19 break.

“I won’t lie the COVID-19 break hasn’t been too bad to be honest.

“I keep myself quite busy normally, so I have been able to still keep to the same routine minus the football of course which I’m pleased about.

“The break has allowed me to focus on personal things so can’t really complain.

“Between doing my Masters at Uni, having my own private coaching sessions, and selling sneakers as a little hobby, I’ve been keeping myself entertained.

“Being able to spend more time with family has also been great and we are all enjoying the quality time together but we’re all missing football too.

“To tell you the truth Uni work that is all online has kept me going – I have struggled to keep motivated in recent years but for a change I am not finishing everything last minute so I have kept on top of this.

“I’ve also been trying to stay fit training a couple times a week, making sure the work done over pre- season hasn’t gone to waste.

“A couple puzzles and board-games have also been of great use.”

The Sydney United 58 number one has also picked up on a few new hobbies during the sudden break, one being basketball – Air Manos anyone?

“I’ve started to play a bit of basketball and tennis to be honest.

“Both are a fun way to keep fit that isn’t football specific. I talk it up like I’m a proper player at both sports but my shooting percentage would probably be in the single digits and I hit the net more than anything in tennis so I’ll stick to football for now.”

As mentioned before, the 24-year-old has continued with maintaining his fitness levels albeit utilising different drills away from the normal team environment.

“I’ve been trying to maintain my fitness.

“Like I said before, all that hard work put into pre-season would be a waste to do nothing over this period.

“I’ve been maintaining sessions with Vitas our keeper coach at Sydney United and Kenny, one of my other keeper coaches.

“I’ve also been getting a couple sessions a week in with Spirit FC goalkeeper Jack Greenwood.

“We don’t live too far away from each other, so we’ve found it convenient to train and keep each other fit.

“It always helps having another keeper there to train with and push you.”

Playing for one of the most iconic clubs in Australia, Manos hopes that football can return to normality soon as he, along with many involved are missing it big time.

“One hundred percent I am missing our game.

“One thing I miss would have to be just being around all your mates at training and having a laugh.

“We’re a tight group at United so I’m definitely missing being around the lads four times a week.

“I’m also missing the thrill of game day.

“Nothing is more enjoyable than celebrating a goal or win with the team and coaching staff.

“To get back to doing what we love though we need to be smart in these interesting times.

“I know we all want our lives to go back to normal but think of those around you.

“Stick to restrictions and don’t put yourself or your loved ones at risk, it’s not worth it.”