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PRENDERGAST IN POSITIVE SPIRITS DESPITE INJURY SETBACK

No footballers wants to kick off any new year with an injury or operation, but unfortunately for Blacktown City FC’s trusty number one shotstopper Tristan Prendergast, this was the case.

The 26-year-old last week had a shoulder reconstruction at the Sydney Adventist Hospital following a dislocation the keeper had received a few years ago, which will sideline one of the best National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s goalkeepers for up to four months.

“I had a few things that I needed to fix up from a dislocation I copped a few years ago which required a shoulder reconstruction, so it had to be done,” Prendergast told Football NSW.

“I am looking at around four months to be sidelined but I am hoping to return around June but that will all depend on how my rehabilitation goes.”

Mark Crittenden’s reliable number one will be missed but this will gift an opportunity to 22-year-old Dylan Niski who will step into the big shoes left by Prendergast.

“We’ve got Dylan who is more than capable and ready to step into the team. I honestly have no doubts that he will do a fantastic job.

“We’ve also got two young lads Robbo and Hendo who are also ones to watch out for.

“It’s right to say that the keeper’s union at Blacktown City is in safe hands.”

Having signed at City in 2015, the Landscaper by trade, currently in his eighth season with the club, stated that there are many positives hailing out from one of the most feared NPL NSW Men’s clubs with Blacktown set to unearth some huge initiatives moving forward.

“First and foremost I am very confident in the squad we have assembled this year.

“We are here to win the NPL NSW Men’s competition again and we have a quality squad with great depth in every position to do so. It’s an exciting squad to be a part of that’s for sure.

“With the new Board and the changes they’re bringing off the pitch, it’s certainly an exciting time to be a Blacktown City player and supporter.”

Football NSW would like to wish Tristan a speedy recovery.

FUNDING FOR NEW CHANGEROOMS

BLACKTOWN CITY FC received an early Christmas present to propel their 2022 journey.

The Tuesday before Christmas, State Member for Seven Hills, Mark Taylor, announced that Blacktown City had been successful in their grant application to build female changerooms and additional amenities under the main grandstand at their home ground.

The application was a vast undertaking by the Board of Blacktown City FC and this announcement is another major step forward to capture the hearts and minds of Blacktown.

The home Stadium on Quinn Avenue in Seven Hills, is regarded as one of the best football grounds in Sydney. A major flaw in the facility has been the age and state of the existing changerooms.
To accommodate the major push by the club to quickly develop its women’s programme to match the long history of the men, an application was sent to the NSW Office of Sport through the NSW Government’s ‘Greater Cities Sports Facilities Fund’. Blacktown City FC Women is a key centrepiece for Blacktown City with a goal to elevate its women’s programme to NPL1 status within three years.
The successful application for new changerooms will provide a huge boost in the development and recruitment of female players.

We continue to build our stadium into one of the best in the country! The seating in the main grandstand is now clear as to who we are and the city we represent.

Thanks to a number of first grade players for their time and drill guns in support of the club, in particular the O’Brien boys, Tristan and Young Robbo. They were led by the coordination of Head Coach Mark Crittenden, Director of Operations Steve Crawhall, Coach Matthew Bingley and Scott Robbo. The transformation was a true team effort.

Painting of our ‘Stadium’ commences in two weeks and building of the change rooms are scheduled to be completed by November this year.

New changerooms have been on the wish list of the club since the grandstand was erected over 20 years ago. With the support of the NSW Government and the NSW Office of Sport, that wish will now become reality.

The submission is also in line with Blacktown Council’s goals to make Blacktown a sporting city and provide world class facilities.

GALLANT IN DEFEAT, BLACKTOWN CITY BOW OUT OF FFA CUP ROUND OF 32

History did not repeat itself for National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s outfit Blacktown City as Mark Crittenden’s men put up a heroic display which wasn’t enough after bowing out of the Round of 32 FFA Cup competition with a 1-0 loss to A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners on Saturday in Mudgee.

Played at the wonderful Glen Willow Stadium, Blacktown City fought hard but were unable to contest with a hungry Mariners outfit who ended up coming home with the victory thanks to a goal from debutant Béni Nkololo.

In the wet and windy wine region, Mariners Head Coach Nick Montgomery named a strong starting line up that included a start at centre-back for Lewis Miller as well as a competitive debut for 18-year-old Jacob Farrell.

City fielded a strong line-up minus new recruit Mitch Mallia who was ruled out with injury. Crittenden gave starting opportunities to Ben Berry and Nicholas O’Brien while Jordan Smylie made his debut for his new club where he faced his old teammates.

Through the opening minutes the Mariners dominated much of the play and created many chances.

Miller who has just recently returned from Australian U23 duty had an early claim for a penalty waved away by referee Kurt Ams when he was brought down in the box by ex-Mariners player Jordan Smylie. No penalty was awarded, however moments later, Nkololo continued to be industrious down the left wing and set up Marco Ureña for a chance, before Matt Simon had a shot strongly palmed away by Tristan Prendergast in the City net.

It would not be Prendergast’s last act however as he made a fantastic save later in the half to deny an Ollie Bozanic through on goal, with a strong 1-on-1 save.

As the wind picked up, both teams headed for the heat of the changing rooms and in the second half, Nick Montgomery’s men enjoyed possession of the ball and continued to dominate the match.

Ollie Bozanic was foiled not once but twice more by Prendergast who was beginning to output a man of the match performance in goal after clawing out two identical free-kicks that were destined for the top corner.

In the 76th minute, the dead-lock was finally broken however, as Béni Nkololo was put through on goal and struck the ball past the City keeper to the immediate delight of the travelling Yellow Army who embraced the Frenchman behind the goal. A new fan favourite who’s name continued to be sung through the remaining minutes as the Mariners continued to create more chances with debutant Moresche going close as well as Nkololo for his second. The team from the Central Coast held on however, to run out 1-0 winners.

Progression was the aim of the afternoon and having achieved that, the Mariners will now turn their attention to the start of the Isuzu UTE A-League season in the F3 Derby.

From an NPL NSW Men’s perspective, Wollongong Wolves will be finding out their fate when the Round of 16 fixtures are set to be announced on Monday 15th of November while there are still two teams yet to play their Round of 32 matches with Sydney Olympic hosting Sydney FC and APIA Leichhardt taking on Tigers FC on Wednesday 24th of November.

CRITTENDEN CRACKS THE 300-COACHING CLUB MARK

Blacktown City FC’s well admired and modest senior men’s coach Mark Crittenden became one of the very few National Premier Legaues NSW Men’s managers to crack this historic milestone as the 54-year-old recently celebrated taking charge of his 300th match for the club.

The milestone was reached in late April when Blacktown City FC defeated Football South Coast side Tarrawanna Blueys in the club’s 5-1 round 4 FFA Cup Preliminary round victory.
‘Critto’ as he is affectionately known by all his fellow peers started his journey as a coach when he was just 16 at Granville & Districts Soccer Football Association side Greystanes FC and went from coaching the young kids to managing the club’s senior side in 1996 in the then old NSW State League 2, winning promotion to the 1st Division.

His coaching efforts were quickly recognised by the Marconi Stallions where he became the assistant coach to two formidable names in the form of the great Zoran Matic and Frank Farina in the old National Soccer League before moving onto Bankstown City Lions in 2003 where he became the club’s Under 20s coach.

His love affair with Blacktown City however kicked off in 2004 where took charge of the club’s Under 11’s Metro League side.

It was there Critto commenced his work developing some of the best young footballers ever to come out of the popular Blacktown City youth football factory with the likes of recognised stars Matt Ryan, Musti Amini, Mitchell Duke and Bernie Ibini to name a few coming across his radar.

He quite simply lives and breathes Blacktown City FC and throughout those earlier years at the then Gabbie Stadium, Critto worked his magic in becoming the club’s first grade coach in 2011 where he first took charge of the club against the Sutherland Sharks.
He also took up the role of Head of Football in 2018 alongside his senior coaching duties stamping his ethos about the ‘Blacktown City way’.

“Seventeen years ago my only ambition was to coach at Blacktown City FC at any level,” said Crittenden.

“I started in 2004 in the Under 11’s and went through the grades to the first team.
“If you told to me then I would coach 300 plus first grade games I would of happily made that deal then and there.

“I have also enjoyed some success throughout my time as the club’s senior coach.
“I’m in the game of winning football games and developing good footballers and men so while I’m doing this I can’t see an end date to coaching football.

“Throughout that period I’ve been lucky enough to have worked and learned from some great coaches at the football club with the likes of Ken Schembri, Brian Brown and Aytek Genc whom I still lean on all now.

“I’ve also worked with some good young talent and I get a real joy out of seeing them kick onto bigger and better things such as seeing Mat Ryan and Musti Amini representing our country.

“I do however have to pay special tribute to one man who has been by my side for my entire coaching career and that’s been ‘GC’ (Graham Crawhall) – A very special man and someone who deserves more credit.”

“As a football club we couldn’t be prouder of what Mark has achieved as our first grade coach,” said the club’s legendary striker and now club director Luke Roodenburg.

“Mark has brought so much success since his arrival and has developed so many players in the past that have gone onto representing our country as well as playing abroad.
“He has won everything that has been put in front of him, from Premierships and Championships to Waratah Cup Finals and NPL Finals Series trophies, he’s done it all not to mention many famous FFA Cup Round of 32 and beyond victories.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have witnessed first hand his passion and drive for success for this club and have had the pleasure of working with him as a captain, assistant coach and now in a football department role.

“If people think of Blacktown City FC, the first person that comes to mind is Mark Crittenden not to mention the constant man beside him for his 300 plus games which has been his team manager and person that bleeds for the club being the one, the only ‘GC’ Graham Crawhall,” Roodenburg ended.

Bravo ‘Critto’, from all of us at Football NSW congratulations on cracking that 300th senior coaching mark for the one club and here’s to many more years to come.

BLACKTOWN CITY KEEN ON CAPTURING THE 2021 MAYORAL CUP

It’s a fixture that has been firmly locked in the bank for both Blacktown City FC and fellow rivals Mt Druitt Town Rangers as this Sunday April 11th marks the fight for not only three points in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition but for the right to be crowned the Mayoral Cup winner for 2021 at Lily Homes Stadium.

It’s been billed as the “real battle of the West” as Mark Crittenden’s side goes head-to-head with Stewart Montgomery’s up and coming Rangers at 3pm.

It will be a baptism of fire for newly announced Blacktown City Executive Chairman Bob Turner who is eagerly anticipating his first ever Mayoral Cup battle since his appointment into the football scene.

Turner is pushing for a full house at the iconic Lily Homes Stadium with the club promoting an exciting initiative to reach that objective in tapping into the local Blacktown Council employees.

“We have made an offer to all Blacktown Council employees for free admission to this game and a reduced price of $10 for their partners.

“With 2,000 employees, hopefully a few will take up the offer and we can fill Lily Homes Stadium set to watch this blockbuster event.”

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale and Blacktown City Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths will both be keen observers of the highly anticipated match.

What: Blacktown Mayoral Cup – Blacktown City FC Vs Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
When: Sunday, April 11, 3pm
Where: Lily Homes Stadium, 5 Quinn Ave, Seven Hills