These are exciting times for Western United fan Nick Hill and his family.
This Sunday, Nick (pictured) and the Hill family will make the trip down from the Victorian rural town of Baranduda for their first live Western United game.
Baranduda, close to Wodonga with a population of about 2400, now officially has a Green and Black fanbase.
And what a game for the Hills’ first live match.
This Sunday, it’s the big fundraiser for bushfire relief against Central Coast Mariners.
And with a family connection to one of the Western United players, you can understand why Hill is on a high heading into this weekend.
“I used to play football with Tony Pasquali, whose son Seb Pasquali plays for Western United now,” he tells www.wufc.com.au
“So that attachment seeing a local boy playing for Western United is great.”
Hill says United skipper Alessandro Diamanti and Besart Berisha are particular favourites in their household.
As for games, it’s no surprise to hear which have been their favourites.
“Our favourite has been the two Victory games – the first win against Victory [round 4] was fantastic and a real stamp of our identity.
“I live in Baranduda just out of Wodonga and I have a very strong family history in western suburbs, my father played for the Footscray Football Club and I’ve been a long-time supporter of the Dogs since I was born,” he added.
“I’ve never really rated the A-League and couldn’t get a feel for Melbourne Victory or City.
“But when Western United come into the comp, I sensed that this is my team from my side of town.
“I’ve never really rated cricket, but I love my soccer and always have. I purchased a Western United membership and merchandise and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Not only that, Hill is a big Western Bulldogs fan in the AFL, so he’s excited to hear the Green and Black will play their first game at Whitten Oval a week later on January 26.
Having lived in Geelong earlier in his life, Hill, however, cannot wait for Sunday.
And United look forward to seeing the Hill family and many more on Sunday for this huge match that doubles as a fundraiser for those affected by the devastating bushfires and ongoing drought across Australia.
“Myself and my partner and the kids watch every game and we can’t wait to get down to see our first game,” concluded Baranduda’s biggest fan of the Green and Black.
For Sunday, the recognized charity partners Western United will be directing funds to are:
- The Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Appeal www.redcross.org.au
- Football for fire-affected Farmers, Families and their Communities https://www.ruralaid.org.au/football
Get your tickets here.
