It’s a huge gap from U-20’s state football to the Hyundai A-League and it’s a gap youngster George Blackwood traversed in minimal time.
Playing for APIA Leichhardt’s U-20’s squad in the grand final of the IGA NSW NPL Men’s 1 competition in September, Blackwood then began training with Sydney FC’s Foxtel National Youth League squad playing one friendly, before making his Hyundai A-League debut on Saturday night.
The Berowra youngster, still in High School, was pleased with his debut and said it was a surreal feeling to walk out in front of over 25,000 fans at Allianz Stadium after being used to the intimate setting of APIA’s Lambert Park.
“It was great, it was a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s amazing just being involved with the first team. It’s good to be around everyone, even just being at the same club and in the youth and training with the first team is great. You can feel yourself improving straight away and to even be considered for the game was great.
“When Arnie said I was going to be playing I was nervous but really excited,” he continued.
“It just felt like a dream, I can’t really describe walking out in front of 25,000 people it was just a dream come true.”
Blackwood said he’d set himself the goal of playing first team football, and after achieving that in a short period of time he’s now focussed on working hard and continuing to improve with the Foxtel National Youth League kicking off on Tuesday night.
“I just wanted to improve,” Blackwood said.
“Sydney FC is such a good club and with Graham Arnold there blooding youth, it’s a good club with good people and good to be around and I think it’s the right choice for going further.
“My goal for this season was to make my debut for the first team and now that’s been achieved I just want to keep working hard and just keep improving and see where that takes me. Working hard is the most important thing.”
Sydney FC kick off their Foxtel National Youth League campaign at home to the Western Sydney Wanderers at Lambert Park, Leichhardt (kick off 6pm).
GET YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW! – Get in quick and make sure you don’t miss a moment of Sky Blues action this 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season by purchasing your Sydney FC Membership now. Enjoy a seat at every home match and free public transport to the games. Sign up to our Newsletter now to keep up to date with all the clubs happenings.
