Sydney FC’s A-League full back Joel King admits he may not be cheering on the Sky Blues Westfield W-League team at Cromer Park this Sunday, but for one very good reason.
His older sister Taren, 24, will be lining up against Sydney FC at the heart of the Newcastle Jets defence and the 20-year old admits he will have split loyalties, despite supporting the club as far back as he can remember.
“Split loyalties? I’d say that,” he said. “I’m not totally a Sydney FC fan when she is playing, obviously I support her and she supports me.
“If she was to lose against anyone though, I’d hope it would be Sydney FC and obviously I do support both my sister and Sydney FC when we aren’t playing against each other.”
The Shellharbour born full back who shares an apartment with his sibling in Gladesville, admits the pair are very close and have grown up playing football together.
“We used to kick around at home and we’ve always been there at each other’s games,” he continued.
“Now that we live together, we help each other out quite a bit with every day stuff as well so that’s quite nice.
“She’s a centre back so she’s a strong player, a good defender and very composed on the ball.
“When she sees there’s something wrong with my game, she will tell me what to do which I will try to learn from, but sometimes I disagree with her.”
Taren says she’s pleased Joel will be supporting her but understands his dilemma.
“It’s a tough ask for him and I’m definitely glad he’s on my team,” she said. “I would be disappointed if he was going for Sydney, and I would always be going for him too.”
“It’s nice and we are pretty close.”
Taren believes the competition between the pair in the back garden has worked well for their future careers.
“It was always a good match up and I would always push him off the ball but once he reached puberty he began to push me off the ball so I stopped playing with him.
“But it has been great to grow up playing and debriefing our games together, and for me to guide him and him to guide me at the same time.
“He’s very helpful around the house and he cooks me dinner when I’m not home and vice versa. It’s also great to be living away from home with family, so I’m grateful to have him around.
“His career has been very impressive, he’s had some great opportunities come his way and he’s taken them with both hands.
“We are very proud as a family and hopefully there is more to come.”
Sydney FC meet Newcastle Jets at 6pm on Sunday afternoon at Cromer Park in Manly in the Westfield W-League. Get Tickets Here.
