Adelaide United icon, Travis Dodd, says it is a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to be involved in commemorating Remembrance Round on Sunday at Coopers Stadium.
Dodd will captain the AUFC Legends side for the second year running against the Australian Defence Force Open Men’s Team in the exhibition match which precedes Adelaide United’s Hyundai A-League clash with Brisbane Roar.
“It’s a great initiative that the Club has started and look to be able to be part of it is quite special,” Dodd said.
“Particularly knowing what our service members have done for us to have the lifestyle and have the lives that we’ve got it’s very special.
“So from that perspective it’s fantastic. From a football perspective it’s a little bit scary actually because we’re well retired now.
“And most of us – especially going from last year – haven’t really been looking after ourselves so to get out there and try and do what we once did for a living is a lot tougher than what we remember.”
ICYMI: This is the #AUFC Legends squad to face the ADF Open Men's Football Team during #RemembranceRound – Sunday, 10 November! @SoldierOnAust
📰 Read more: https://t.co/tksNbcQfr1 pic.twitter.com/j5VCHTkR1z
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) October 31, 2019
The now 39-year-old, who captained the Reds on a full-time basis between 2008 and 2011, accumulated a total of 166 games while scoring 39 goals in his six sensational years with the Club.
He revealed he was relishing the chance to grace the hallowed turf of Coopers Stadium again, a venue where he endeared himself to the Adelaide faithful.
Dodd admitted taking to the field with some of his former teammates in Sunday’s curtain raiser will bring back a plethora of memories.
“It’s one of the hardest things when you retire is not having that environment where you’re around your mates every day and doing something that you love,” he explained.
“So to have that opportunity albeit for one day and for 90 minutes it’s great to bring back those memories.
“Even when you go to games and you’re watching particularly the cup final a couple of weeks ago, it just makes you realise how privileged you were to have that lifestyle and career in the game.
“So to be able to play on Hindmarsh (Coopers Stadium) again and to be able to do in front of fans and family as well is fantastic.”
Adelaide United host Brisbane Roar in Round 5 of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season on Sunday, 10 November at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.30pm ACDT. Gates open at 2.30pm for curtain raiser between AUFC Legends and ADF. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football Live App.
