Assistant coach Gareth Naven and highly-rated young defender Riley Woodcock will find themselves on familiar ground come Saturday afternoon as Glory head to Gosnells City for their second pre-season outing.
Assistant coach Gareth Naven and highly-rated young defender Riley Woodcock will find themselves on familiar ground come Saturday afternoon as Glory head to Gosnells City for their second pre-season outing.
Both men came through the junior ranks of the southern suburbs club and have fond memories of their time at Walter Padbury Reserve.
“I played there from when I was six until I was about 12 or 13,” said Naven.
“My dad at that stage was secretary of the club and the president at that time, Tom O’Donnell, is still a good family friend to this day.
“My dad coached us and I had a really nice time there.
“We lived around the corner so we could walk to training and games.”
“I played there from when I was seven until I was 11,” added Woodcock.
“I was brought up just down the road in Kelmscott and my dad was the assistant coach for our team at that time.
“I think there might be a couple of lads that I played with who are still playing there, but we also had lads in our team like Scott Galloway who’s playing at Melbourne Victory now.
“We were a strong side in that southern area and we won the league, the state cup, and the top four cup as well.”
Glory did of course participate in a similar community event at Head Coach Alistair Edwards’ former club Kwinana United last weekend and Naven is confident that the Gosnells version will prove to be every bit as successful.
“Gosnells have put a massive amount of work into hosting us,” he said, “and I’m really looking forward to getting back to where it all started for me.
“I think it’s fantastic that we’re bringing Glory to that City of Gosnells area which is something that hasn’t happened before and it’ll be a really nice community day.
“They’ve got a massive junior support and they’re a part of the way the game is growing everywhere at the moment.
“You’ve got the World Cup coming up, the Asian Cup in Australia, the A-League is getting stronger and grassroots is really developing.
“There’s a lot happening, things are in a healthy state and it’s great that we can take Glory down to Gosnells to be a part of that growth in the game.
“I’m really looking forward to the day and hopefully meeting some people that coached me as a junior.”
Woodcock, meanwhile, is unlikely to feature in the pre-season friendly itself due to injury, but is hoping to find some tangible evidence of his successful stint at the club.
“I haven’t been down there for about three years now,” he said, “so it’ll be good to see how the club’s going and it would be great to see them in the State League Premier at some point in the future.
“The facilities were always good when I used to play there and I’m excited to get back and see if they’ve got a photo of us in the club room!”
Gosnells City v Perth Glory
Saturday July 13th
Kick-off at 3pm
Cassidy Road Oval, Walter Padbury Reserve, Thornlie
Entry Fees:
Adults (18 years and over) – $10
Juniors (over 12) – $5
Kids (12 and under) – Free (if they wear their Gosnells or Glory tops!)
Special Limited Adult Packages of $50 and $100 which include admission, food and drink, VIP undercover area.
Kids entertainment including Bouncy Castles, Player Signings, giveaways and lots more.
Special Discounted Perth Glory Memberships and Merchandise available on the day.
Sponsors, be quick to get your special business banner displayed on the day.
Email info@gosnellscityfc.org.au or call Ron on 0408 097910 for more information.
Come early and watch Gosnells City Under-18s (Kick off 11am) and Reserves (kick off 1pm) against Wanneroo.
Gareth Morgan
