Fitzgerald on coming home

Fitzgerald opens up on his transition to the Red & Black and his goals for silverware this season.

Growing up in the Western Sydney region, Fitzgerald played his junior football for clubs such as Castle Hill, Blacktown City and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Fitzgerald’s inspiration to start playing football came from his family.

“I just started playing in the backyard when I was young and my Dad was a pretty good player himself,” explained Fitzgerald.

“I used to love going and watching him play as well so I got my passion for the game from him.”

The pacey forward joined the Wanderers along with a raft of new players this season and has found the transition to the Red & Black very easy thanks to some familiar faces.

Fitzgerald played his junior football with Brendan Hamill and also made the switch to the Red & Black with former Melbourne City player Bruce Kamau this season.

“Look it’s always a different challenge moving clubs and trying to get used to different cities to live in,” said Fitzgerald.

“Especially for me having a young family but coming here was almost a little bit easy in terms of the squad because the boys have just been fantastic.

“They’ve welcomed not only myself but a lot of the other boys.

“A few of the players came in sort of late in pre-season and you really need to be able to gel as a team, and I think we’ve done that really well.

“The new players, and hats off to BJ (Captain Brendan Hamill), and the coaching staff as well for allowing the players to do that and make everyone feel comfortable.”

Fitzgerald has his sights set on making a real impact at the club this season and believes it’s time for the squad to bring home some silverware.

“It’s a real club here you know, we get out into the community and make sure that they feel like they’re part of the squad,” noted Fitzgerald.

“I think we really need to bring a Hyundai A-League championship here. Winning the Asian Champions League was fantastic for the club, the first Australian team to do it, and I think it’s time that we bring the Hyundai A-League Championship back here because it’d be fantastic for the community.

“I really do believe that this team, is a team that can go on and win it.

“I’ll be looking back in a couple years time and thinking how lucky I was to play with a team like this.”