mariners4ever
Well-Known Member
EXCLUSIVE: Veteran Aussie goalkeeper John Filan is training with Sydney FC - and the club hopes to hold onto him this time.
Filan, 37, almost signed as a back-up to regular number one Clint Bolton a year ago, but the deal fell through within days of being made public.
Now though, Filan has been working out with Sydney for the past three weeks at training session at Macquarie University.
Today he was keeping goal for the youth trialists as they were put through their paces against the senior squad in a full-blooded 11 v 11 match.
"He's been with us for three weeks, but at the moment he's just training with us," said a club insider.
"We currently only have one spot available on the squad - and we're not looking at a goalkeeper to fill it."
However Sydney's youth coach Steve O'Connor was delighted to have the former Wigan number one helping out in any shape or form at the club.
"I hope he'll be here for a long time," said O'Connor. "The experience he brings is just amazing. He's constantly talking to the youngsters and helping them."
"He's a good pro and it's good to have him here. Just hearing him bark at the players and organise - stuff like that, money can't buy.
"Someone like that who's been there, done that - it's terrific to have him here."
O'Connor added: "Having pros like him and Poppa around is great for the youngsters.
"It's not easy being a pro. It's bloody hard work, getting out of your comfort zone, working on your game, going through those flat periods when you're not seeming to improve and getting exasperated.
"They can help prepare the youngsters for stuff like that."
Filan was in good form at the training session, taking control of the defence although rarely called on to make a save.
However in goalkeeping practice later on, he showed no signs of age as he made ambitious diving saves.
Filan looked to have secured on a short-term contract as Bolton's backup at the beginning of last season.
He hoped to be able to help out with the coaching of young players at the club back then and admitted he was happy to work virtually for free alongside goalkeeping coach Jimmy Fraser and previous Sydney boss, Branko Culina.
He said at the time: "It's nothing to do with money.
"I think the boys are putting all their shopper dockets together so I can get four cents off my petrol, and I have to mow Jimmy's lawn on Wednesday's, and Branko's on a Thursday.
"I'm not expecting to get a game, and my focus is still on getting into coaching. That's why I've come home. But if it happens that I have to step in, then that's OK. I'm enjoying the training, and I'll be ready."
However the deal fell through within hours and Filan walked away from Sydney saying only: "Things have come up in the last 48 hours which meant I couldn't commit completely to the club. I didn't want to go into it half-heartedly."
hmm interesting
Filan, 37, almost signed as a back-up to regular number one Clint Bolton a year ago, but the deal fell through within days of being made public.
Now though, Filan has been working out with Sydney for the past three weeks at training session at Macquarie University.
Today he was keeping goal for the youth trialists as they were put through their paces against the senior squad in a full-blooded 11 v 11 match.
"He's been with us for three weeks, but at the moment he's just training with us," said a club insider.
"We currently only have one spot available on the squad - and we're not looking at a goalkeeper to fill it."
However Sydney's youth coach Steve O'Connor was delighted to have the former Wigan number one helping out in any shape or form at the club.
"I hope he'll be here for a long time," said O'Connor. "The experience he brings is just amazing. He's constantly talking to the youngsters and helping them."
"He's a good pro and it's good to have him here. Just hearing him bark at the players and organise - stuff like that, money can't buy.
"Someone like that who's been there, done that - it's terrific to have him here."
O'Connor added: "Having pros like him and Poppa around is great for the youngsters.
"It's not easy being a pro. It's bloody hard work, getting out of your comfort zone, working on your game, going through those flat periods when you're not seeming to improve and getting exasperated.
"They can help prepare the youngsters for stuff like that."
Filan was in good form at the training session, taking control of the defence although rarely called on to make a save.
However in goalkeeping practice later on, he showed no signs of age as he made ambitious diving saves.
Filan looked to have secured on a short-term contract as Bolton's backup at the beginning of last season.
He hoped to be able to help out with the coaching of young players at the club back then and admitted he was happy to work virtually for free alongside goalkeeping coach Jimmy Fraser and previous Sydney boss, Branko Culina.
He said at the time: "It's nothing to do with money.
"I think the boys are putting all their shopper dockets together so I can get four cents off my petrol, and I have to mow Jimmy's lawn on Wednesday's, and Branko's on a Thursday.
"I'm not expecting to get a game, and my focus is still on getting into coaching. That's why I've come home. But if it happens that I have to step in, then that's OK. I'm enjoying the training, and I'll be ready."
However the deal fell through within hours and Filan walked away from Sydney saying only: "Things have come up in the last 48 hours which meant I couldn't commit completely to the club. I didn't want to go into it half-heartedly."
hmm interesting
