Tomorrow's generation: Mount Druitt Town Rangers juniors attended last week's fan forum in Rooty Hill to find out what sort of western Sydney A-League club they may play for in the future. Pictured are Sean Payer and Aiden Nelson (front), Carlos Ribiero (middle), Eric Evans, Aaron Martinson, Cameron Wright, Jake Nelson and Bradley Wright. Picture: Carlos Furtado.
COLOURS, names, venues, match days, club culture, playing style and type of players — no topic about the new western Sydney A-league club was off limits to fans on Thursday night.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) is kicking goals with its fan forums across western Sydney to get the community involved in the formation of the club.
Rooty Hill RSL was the third stop when 100 fans travelled from Wilberforce, Parramatta, Liverpool, Bankstown and the Blue Mountains.
Fans were introduced to panel members, former national league player Mark Rudan, FFA boss Lyall Gorman and Chifley MP Ed Husic before being invited to have their say.
The 1974 World Cup Socceroo Ray Richards, who played against some of the greats such as Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, suggested the name Western Sydney Pride.
He believes the club will become the "Barcelona" of Australia.
"We're a diverse community proud of where we come from," he told the crowd. "It says everything about this community."
Chifley College Bidwill PE teacher Josh Hunter, son of former Socceroo Ian, added: "We need something that we can be proud of".
Opinions were divided whether to go with bold or traditional colours and whether to have Parramatta Stadium as the home ground or to split games across western Sydney.
Fans will be able to vote online on topics discussed at the forum.
Afterwards, Mr Gorman exclusively told the Star the 2012-13 season could kick off with a local derby between the new club and Sydney FC.
"It's a well educated football community," he said. "The core values we've been getting from the forums are family and community, which were reflected here tonight."
Fan forums continue tonight at Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith, at 7.30pm.