The Sydney Cove - Bay 23 Boys

Ever wondered what The Cove is really like? Joel Arnott goes one-on-one with Sydney FC fanatic and Cove regular, Simon Overall.

It is the 71st minute of the final game for Sydney FC before the playoffs. Sydney are battling hard at 1-1 against Adelaide, before “Super” David Carney cuts back in-field on his left foot and is brought down on the edge of the box by Adelaide captain Ross Aloisi.

Alvin “Checkers” Ceccoli runs in and produces an amazingly crisp strike from the edge of the box, and launches the ball into the back of the net, sending the Cove maniacal and into a state of delirium.

Joel Arnott caught up with one of the many maniacs located in Bay 23, Simon Overall.

Joel Arnott: Simon, thanks for your time today. I believe you were firmly planted in The Cove last Friday night, describe the atmosphere that surrounded you in Bay 23 as “Checkers” fired the winner home.

Simon Overall: It was probably the most exciting and crazy atmosphere that I’d ever experienced in the cove and I think everyone was pretty tense after the equaliser and it [The Cove] went off more than ever before.

JA: How ecstatic were you feeling, knowing that Sydney is the only team to have defeated Adelaide twice?

SO: Even though Melbourne are our biggest rivals, this game was out of this world. I can only compare it to the World Cup Qualifier between Australia and Uruguay. Everyone was feeling overly ecstatic, hugging each other and it was an amazing feeling.

JA: Despite Adelaide equalising only two minutes after Dwight Yorke cheekily slotted Sydney’s penalty home, the Cove managed to maintain it’s aura and enthusiasm, how do the fans in the Cove manage to keep their head’s up after the disappointment of letting the lead slip within two minutes?

SO: Any true fan will always keep on singing, and I think the Cove has learnt to keep the atmosphere buzzing I think the big crowds have also contributed to the atmosphere of The Cove. There is always the feeling that if we [The Cove] keep on singing to the lads they will lift their game and they managed to do that last Friday night.

JA: Simon tell me, were you one of the founding fathers of the cove?

SO: [Laughs] No I wasn’t, but it’s been close to a year since the whole thing came into fruition as such, and it’s hard to tie it down to one or two particular people.

JA: The Cove has recently overflowed into Bay’s 24 and 25, do you prefer to keep the numbers down, or is it the more the merrier?

SO: Definitely the more the merrier. Earlier on in the season we had problems with people who weren’t singing, but the situation has definitely improved. Hopefully we can get to a point where all those bays will be singing and we will accept them as long as they are prepared to get behind the team.

JA: The Sydney FC players must thrive on the insanely loud chants of the Cove, which are your favourite chants?

SO: My favourite chants would be “Super, Super Dave, Super, Super Dave, Super Dave Carney!” In terms of creating a dazzling atmosphere the chant “When Sydney goes marching in” would be the best of them all.

JA: I have heard that dedicated fans located in The Cove have made Cove merchandise for all fans to buy, tell us about that.

SO: Originally it started off with t-shirts and hats, they retailed for about $15 each. There are now cove patches and scarves. In 2006 there are plans for season two caps, season two t-shirts, and Cove wristbands.

JA: Have you been on any interstate Cove trips?

SO: Yes I have been on two interstate trips. The first one was to Melbourne, where we disappointingly lost 5-0, and the second trip to Brisbane where we also lost 2-1. To this day I haven’t been on away trip when we have won, but in saying that the away trips provide an opportunity to meet more people, which is very enjoyable.

JA: Have you had any famous faces join you in The Cove?

SO: Apparently Johan Neeskans came into The Cove last Friday night and was given a Cove scarf.

JA: Is there any interaction between The Cove and the players?

SO: After the game the players usually come over and thank us for our support. In Melbourne even though we lost 5-0 Clint Bolton still came over as well as ushering the other players to do the same.

JA: How is the relationship between The Cove and the club?

SO: We have a very good relationship with the club, there are things we can do a bit better to improve it, but overall we are on the same wavelength.

JA: Recently the Cove took on the Queensland Roar supporters group, “The Den”, at Suncorp Stadium as the curtain raiser to Sydney FC vs Queensland Roar match, tell us about that experience.

SO: A Queensland supporters group, Den United, brought the idea to us. We put together a team based on people who were interested and were travelling to Queensland. The match was 40 minutes long, which proved to be pretty good as the weather was hot and humid and we were pretty unfit.

We arrived at Suncorp Stadium early in the day, went into the dressing rooms and we were given a kit from Sydney FC to play in. There were maybe 100 people there when we played which just added to the indescribable feeling of playing on a proper stadium. We managed to pull off a victory, and at the end of the game we went to salute our fans.

Hopefully this will become a regular fixture, and in the future we may get to play at Aussie Stadium.

JA: What is the general consensus from The Cove on the much-maligned Pierre Littbarski?

SO: A lot of people have called for his sacking but I think it’s only a select group who has done that. Many questions do arise from his tactics.

Why has Carney been playing on the right wing when he is left footed? Why has Corica not been playing central midfield? Why is Dwight Yorke not up front?

I believe if we can make the grand final people will be pretty happy with Pierre.

JA: Do the fans in The Cove believe that Sydney can go all the way in the playoffs, and in your opinion, what will be the major factor in determining the success of Sydney FC?

SO: I think the positive thing in the last two games has been Mark Rudan. Rudan’s return to the team has coincided with team success. Rudan is a very stronger defender and has a very strong influence on the team, and if he is fit and firing, Sydney have a good chance to take the title.

Young gun Ruban Zadkovich also gives us a good chance of winning the playoffs. Ruben allows Pierre’s gameplan to flow a lot better, and has a hand in many of our goals. Hopefully we will go all the way.

JA: Will you be making the trek to Adelaide for the first leg of the major semi-final between Adelaide and Sydney FC?

SO: [Laughs] I am definitely thinking about it, but money is a bit tight at the moment. I will do my best to get there, even if I have to sleep outside Hindmarsh stadium for a night.

JA: There have been rumours floating around that in-form Queensland Roar striker Alex Brosque will be crossing to Sydney next season, would the fans in The Cove be happy with Brosque coming over?

SO: I think the general consensus is yes. He offers an option as a striker who has quite a bit of pace, and brings plenty of class to the side. He is originally a Sydney boy, and we would happily welcome him into a Blue shirt.

JA: Will you be expecting a sell-out crowd for the second leg of the semi-final against Adelaide?

SO: I anticipate that we may go close. Having 25,000 there I’d think we’d get an extra 10,000 in for a semi-final. I’d probably estimate about 36,000.

JA: Does The Cove have anything big planned for the second season of the A-League?

SO: That is what we will leave to the off-season to discuss, there will be more flags, banners and merchandise. As well as this we will be giving the club feedback on what we think they can do better which will be mutually beneficial for The Cove and the club.

JA: Good luck to Sydney for the playoffs!

SO: Thanks very much.

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