Macarthur FC trio raring to go ahead of maiden A-League campaign

Former Socceroo and Macarthur FC’s inaugural captain Mark Milligan will be spearheading the A-League’s newest side alongside Adam Federici and Australian U-23 Denis Genreau.

All eyes will be on Macarthur FC when they begin their inaugural campaign against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, December 27.

Former Socceroo stalwart Milligan will be wearing the armband for the club this season and is confident that they have what it takes to compete in Australia’s premier football competition.

“I think we’ll be good value this year. We’ve got some very good players, a lot of experience and a lot of youth as well,” Milligan said.

“I know we’ll play an exciting, attacking brand of football which is extremely important especially being a new team.

"We want to create not only a culture within the changeroom and around our changeroom but within our fanbase, our home ground and home games.”

From the outset, it has been important for Milligan and his Macarthur to establish a connection with their fanbase given that the Bulls are situated in one of Australia’s highest growing population regions.

“Being a new club, it’s important that we’re able to make that connection quickly. Not only for fans at home games but for the whole community in general,” he said.

“I know that a lot of people in general are very excited about having a team out there.”

For Nowra-born Federici, the opportunity to return home and play with Macarthur was too good to turn down.

“It’s pretty exciting to join a new club and I get to play at home which is something I haven’t done before,” Macarthur’s first-choice goalkeeper said.

“There are very few opportunities to play for a new team and a new franchise coming into the A-League.

“I wanted to come back and play in front of a home crowd.”

The Aussie shot stopper will be aiming to impart some of the knowledge and experience he picked up along the course of his career which has seen him based in England for the past 18 years.

“Hopefully I can help some of the younger players come through and use my experience in those terms.”

One such player who may benefit from Federici’s advice could be Olyroos midfielder Genreau who linked up with the Bulls from Melbourne City.

The 21-year-old has settled in well after making the move north to play for Ante Milicic’s side.

“It’s been fantastic so far. Obviously, it’s a start-up club, all the players are new, all the coaching staff are new as well,” Genreau said.

“Ante [Milicic] got us in nice and early so we’ve got to know each other and we’ve had a few friendlies as well.

“So, everything is going well so far and we’re looking forward to the start of the season.”

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