With Adelaide United Memberships for the 2016/17 season now on sale, we’re highlighting some of the first Reds fans to sign up!
When did you start supporting AUFC?
We’ve been members and have been supporting the Club, like many other South Australian’s, since the day it was formed. We were excited to attend the first game in October 2003 when we won 1-0 against Brisbane Strikers.
What made you fall in love with the Club and what made you become a member?
We have always been passionate about supporting local football – for over three decades in fact. In the 1970s we followed local team Adelaide Juventus, then we were members of Adelaide City when they were in the Australian National Soccer League. We were player sponsors of Milan Ivanovic and Dino Mennillo. So when Adelaide United was formed, we were very excited to see a new era of football in our state. We loved the name, the colours, and how it “united” the state under one, strong national team. We signed up as members immediately back in 2003.
How long have you been a member of AUFC?
It’s been 11 years now and we have attended every possible game, including a few interstate matches. Only illness or unavoidable circumstances can keep us away from seeing the Reds.
What is your favourite memory from a Reds match and why?
Apart from witnessing AUFC being Premiers in their inaugural year, without a doubt, the stand out memory is being a part of the winning Grand Final in May. We were there with our children and grandchildren, along with 50,000 other South Australians. It was an overwhelming experience that words cannot describe, especially considering the journey the team took from being bottom to Premiers, and then Champions. We will treasure this memory forever!
If you could say anything to a Reds fan who is thinking of becoming a member, but hasn’t yet, what would you say?
We would say, join up! Give it a go and you will not be disappointed. Whether it is a full or part membership, the atmosphere at Coopers is amazing. We strongly encourage those with young families to come along, start the next generation of AUFC members. We have been sitting with the same group of long term members, about 12 of us, over many years and we have formed great friendships because of being members. It’s a great day out for young and old…and you’ll be supporting the Champions!
