ECU “old” boys return with Glory glow
Courtesy ECU Joondalup
Pictured: Adam Taggart (centre), Mitch Oxborrow (right) and Steven McGarry. Photo: Peter Simcox
ECU Joondalup will continue their QBE Night Series quest against Perth SC at Percy Doyle Reserve tonight buoyed by the visit of some former players this week.
Perth Glory players Josh Risdon, Aryn Williams, Adam Taggart, Shane Lowry, Alex Grant, Mitch Oxborrow and Joe Knowles were all back at the ECU Football Stadium on Tuesday to help promote the Play Football message, which encourages players to register for the new season.
ECU kicked off their QBE Night Series campaign with a 5-2 win over Balcatta and the return of seven former players added to an already cheerful mood at the club.
Knowles, who made his debut for ECU under current coach Dale McCulloch, has fond recollections of his time at the club.
“It’s always good to see coaches and former team mates,” he said. “I like the way ECU have developed and changed… it’s great to see the club moving forward.”
Former Glory midfielder Steven McGarry, who made his ECU debut in against Balcatta, said the juniors enjoyed seeing their heroes around the club.
“What a great night,” he said. “The club are really proud of the players and we hope ECU have helped them in a small way along the road to becoming a professional footballer.
“The juniors enjoyed talking to the players and although they were a little shy, some of the questions made the Glory lads laugh, especially the young lad who asked Shane Lowry about Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s sending off on Saturday.”
ECU Joondalup Director of Coaching Steve Amphlett, who has been at the club for 16 years, said the progress of the club’s juniors was beneficial to ECU and WA football.
“The lads left here as juniors but they have all returned to the A-League with Perth Glory as men,” he said.
“They say you never forget your roots and talking to them tonight showed that. We’re all proud of the seven players, and we also had Ross Millard with us, too, who has been on the bench for the A-League side this season.”
ECU will take on Perth at 6.30pm with Sorrento playing against Armadale at 8.30pm.
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