Stuart Young - the forgotten man of the A-League

From NSL glory to Perth Glory, Stuart Young has had a distinguished career in Football. Peter Simcox recently spoke to Young for this exclusive interview.

The new Hyundai A-league was announced, with all the fanfare and razzmatazz, and the Perth Glory confirmed their place in the new elite Australian football league.

The club then began to rebuild their side from 2004, a side which had won the old NSL Championship. The club decided to cancel all players’ contracts in late 2004, so it was a long hard task for the coaching staff to recruit players to bring more success to the club.

The first major signing was that of former Wollongong Wolves striker Stuart Young, and he signed a two-year deal with the club, and agreed to work for the club off the field in the clubs offices. The experienced striker who was born in the Hull an industrial town in the north east of England in 1972, at the time was delighted with his move to Perth with his family.

But he has become the forgotten man at Glory and on the park it’s been a nightmare for the likable 33-year old. Nevertheless, he put the disappointment of not playing the game he loves behind him, and say’s his family come first and they have fallen in love with WA.

“It has been the worst period of my professional career, but ultimately you must treat each situation you face as professionally as you can, although at various times over the last 12 months that has not been easy,” said Young.

“Working in the office has been a different experience with its own difficulties, but I have enjoyed that part of my role and am learning all the time.”

Young had offers from other A-league clubs but his family were keen on the move to Perth, so they decided to head West, “There was interest from another A-League franchise in possibly acquiring my services, but my wife was really keen on a move out West. Moving to WA has been a terrific move for us as a family. We have fallen in love with the place and the people we have met have all been welcoming, but not to be playing has been difficult,” Young added.

“I don't regret for a moment moving here as the happiness of my family is far more important to me than any professional difficulties I may be experiencing,” That’s the character of the man, a true champion and to supporters in the West his non selection is something of a mystery.

As a Glory supporter since their inception, I have watched Stuart on a number of occasions and he had always been a thorn in our side. He always seemed to score or play well every time we met the Wolves in the NSL, in fact he scored 60 goals in 130 appearances for the Wolves. What could the Glory coaching staff not see in him?

Young’s senior football career began at Highbury the home of the Arsenal Football Club in 1990, before moving to his home town of Hull City in 1991. He spent two seasons at the Tigers, before spells at Northampton Town in 1993, Scarborough 1994 and finally Scunthorpe United 1994-96.

Young then headed overseas and joined the Singapore side Woodlands Wellington, where he had three successful seasons, from 1996-99. The 1998 season in Singapore saw him finish off as the leagues top goal scorer. That goal scoring touch made him a target of the Wollongong Wolves in the old NSL, and in 1999 he joined Nick Theodorakopoulos’s side.

The move proved to be a successful one for the striker and he enjoyed five special years in NSW, captaining the side from 2002–2004, and Young had two very special memories. “The two standout career highlights for me are the two NSL Championships with Wollongong,” said Young.

”They were great days for the perennial underdogs of Australian football and to play in a side that was intent on all out attack was a delight. Personally, scoring in the second Grand Final against South Melbourne was my favourite moment, but the epic encounter against the Glory at Subiaco Oval the year before will live in the memory of many for the rest of their lives”

As a player looking in, Young has been impressed with the new A-League structure and believes it will get better, “I believe the first year of the new competition has exceeded my expectations. The crowds may not be at a level that the league desires, but they are infinitely better, generally, than the old NSL. The standard of play has been surprisingly good, but with the 20 man roster we have seen some inferior performances when clubs have had injury problems.”

Young was also delighted that the Socceroos qualified for the World Cup and believes they will qualify again many times over the next 32 years, “Qualification to this year’s World Cup heralds the rebirth of football in this country. Australia has produced some terrific players in the past decade. The number of expat Aussies plying their trade in the top European leagues is an inspiration to the next crop of talented Australian kids.”

“The structure of the A-League and the potential revenue stream in joining the Asian Confederation bodes well for producing high class Australian footballers. For these reasons, I do not believe this country will have to wait another 32 years for qualification and a competitive national team only enhances Australia's chance of hosting the world’s biggest sporting event. Then watch football take off!”

What is next for Stuart Young, he can still play and his performance in his only full league games of the season against Adelaide United shows that, “To be honest, I haven't had many thoughts regarding what to do next. We love life in WA, so that part seems easy.”

“As long as we can live comfortably, I am willing to have a good look at any kind of career beyond football. As I have already mentioned, my family takes priority in any decision I make, so if they are happy, I am too.”

The local Football West competition is on the up, and is crying out for quality players to build up the profile, and it would be great to attract players like Stuart Young to their ranks. “There is a long break once again at the end of the A-League season, and I am sure that playing in the local competition is an option for some of our players.”

“As for myself, I have another year to run on my contract at the Glory and I haven't thought too much about playing locally yet. That could be an option if the club deems it in my best interests to get some game time under my belt, which is something I have been sorely missing recently.”

Only time will tell the next chapter in the football career of Stuart Young, but from football fans all over Australia good luck Stuart, you deserve it!

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