It’s been over five years since defender Jack Clisby last donned the Red & Black in the A-Leagues, and he admits that much has changed at the club in the time he has been away.
Having returned to Western Sydney after stints with Central Coast and Perth Glory, the 31-year-old left-back is impressed with developments at the club.
“A lot has changed, the environment where we’re having this conversation – the gym wasn’t around when I was here – the club’s really grown over the years.”
Clisby played 42 games for the Wanderers between 2016-2018 in three competitions, scoring one goal, and he hopes to quickly gain the acceptance of the supporters once again.
“I try to apply myself the best I can each day and I want to win them over again. The fans the first time around when I was here, it took a while for them to warm to me then, and they did in the end. I want them to feel that again with me.”
He is already making progress on that wish, performing strongly in the side’s back to back Australia Cup wins, including a quality assist in the 5-1 demolition of Adelaide United in the Round of 16.
Clisby says the performances show the rewards of the hard work done by the side during pre-season.
“It’s been quite challenging in terms of the physical output and everything, but we’re starting to see and reap the rewards from all the work we’ve been doing so far.”
He and the new signings have also been accepted by the squad, and Clisby has noticed the closeness and bonds within the playing squad, and how that can help them for the season ahead.
“I’m really enjoying being here and the boys have been very welcoming for all the new players, not just myself.
“[There are] some funny guys in the change room and it’s some good camaraderie going on in there. First of all, they are all good people, but secondly, they’re all really good footballers playing in this team, and I’m thinking we’ve got a really good squad of players here.”
Despite being an experienced veteran who has played for four different A-League sides, Clisby is still looking to improve his game, and is looking at honing the attacking side of his game under head coach Marko Rudan, having scored three goals last season for Perth, and only one goal during his first stint with the Wanderers.
“I want to add goals to my game. I’ve scored a few previously, in the last couple of years, I want to keep building on that.
“I want to keep helping be part of the goals, creating, assisting, whatever that is, being part of the team, scoring goals as well as being resilient in defense.
“That’s the thing, being a fullback, you’ve got to be good going forward and good at the back.”
Clisby is also excited to play alongside exciting youngsters such as Alex Bonetig, who started at the centre of defence against Adelaide. Clisby feels the sky’s the limit for the young defender.
“Since playing alongside Alex, I see a lot of qualities in him to become a really good footballer, and he’s growing. He’s only returned from injury not too not too long ago.
Since he’s settled in, I feel comfortable up alongside him, I feel he’s only going to grow the more he keeps playing.
It’s been a positive start for Clisby in his return to the Wanderers, and he feels anything is possible for the squad this season.
“It always has been a big club and I feel like it’s time for us to challenge with some silverware this year.
“I believe we’ve got the right environment, the right people and the right staff to really be successful this year.”
