Football is a numbers game and it’s no different at Sydney FC.
When the Hyundai A-League season gets underway in August Sydney FC-s players will not only be sporting a new look, but many members of the team will be debuting new playing numbers as well.
While most of the number changes will be on the backs of players new to Sydney-s senior squad, the notable exception is marquee man, John Aloisi who will trade-in his number 23.
“I-m a goal scorer and I think I should be wearing number 9,” said Aloisi. “Most strikers wear number 9 and I-m sure it will bring me good luck this year.”
The number switch is an easy one for the33-year old who has enjoyed plenty of success playing in 9 during his illustrious career.
“I wore it while I was at Portsmouth, also at Coventry, and also for the Australian Olympic team, I wore it at the 2004 Olympics. Number 9 has some good memories for me.”
Gladly taking up number 23 will be rising star, Rhyan Grant who-s more than happy to follow in Aloisi-s footsteps.
“I asked for 23 because it-s a good number,” explained the Young Socceroo. “A lot of good players wear it in a lot of different sports. Michael Jordan. Michael Clarke-s got it in the cricket, Shane Warne used to have it, Beckham-s got it. So there-re a lot of great sportsmen with it, and having it after Johnny is good too.”
Among the other changes, Slovak international Karol Kisel will wear the number 6, vacant since Tony Popovic-s retirement last season. Brendan Gan will wear number 7, Antony Golec has chosen to resurrect lucky number 13, and exciting young striker, Kofi Danning will play in 11.
“I-m extremely happy,” enthused the 18-year old. “It-s the number I grew up playing in. When I was a kid I scored a lot of goals in that number and it-s my favourite number. “
Most of the changes will not take effect until the start of the Hyundai A-League season, with Vitezslav Lavicka-s men contesting Sydney-s current series of friendlies in the same numbers as last season.
Sydney FC will kick off its official campaign with a round one clash away to competition newcomers, the North Queensland Fury on Saturday August 8.
Sydney FC 2009/10 Playing Numbers
1. Clint Bolton (GK)
2. Sebastian Ryall*
3. Not Assigned
4. Simon Colosimo
5. Mitchell Prentice
6. Karol Kisel*
7. Brendan Gan*
8. Stuart Musialik
9. John Aloisi*
10. Steve Corica (C)
11. Kofi Danning*
12. Shannon Cole
13. Antony Golec*
14. Alex Brosque
15. Terry McFlynn
16. Chris Payne
17. Matthew Jurman*
18. Adam Casey
19. Mark Bridge
20. Ivan Necevski (GK)
21. Not Assigned
22. Not Assigned
23. Rhyan Grant*
* New player/number combinations for 2009/10.
