‘It’s a chance to make some noise for our club’: United fans get set for historic first home game

Western United FC made a statement in their maiden Hyundai A-League match, now the fans plan to bring the ‘noise’ in their first home game on Saturday.

At the boutique GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, the competition’s newest club will walk out in front of their home support for the very first time against Perth Glory, with kick-off at 5pm (AEDT).

Fans around the country will be able to see United's clash with the premiers live and free on ABC TV, or stream it on ABC iView.

It will be another historic moment in what has been a whirlwind period for the newborn club from Melbourne’s west.

And for fans like Caleb Trimble – who is a member of the club’s official supporter group the ‘Western Service Crew’ – it’s what they’ve been waiting for since the club was given the green light 10 months ago.

The fans will congregate at the nearby Barwon Club on Saturday afternoon to soak-up the game-day atmosphere, before making the 550-metre march to the stadium before kick-off.

“The first home game will give us a chance to make some noise for our club while also mixing with other fans either before, during or after the game,” Trimble tells a-league.com.au.

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“We get the opportunity to do a march into the stadium as a full supporter base and create a good atmosphere for the team.

“The fans have been amazing so far, everyone has been super accepting and friendly with each other.

“I've already made some very good friends through the club and it's great that everyone is getting their families and friends involved in the action.”

Trimble was part of a small group of travelling fans that made the trek to Wellington for the club’s inaugural Hyundai A-League game against the Phoenix last Sunday.


Having fallen in love with the club since their inception, there was no way they were going to miss United’s historic moment.

And Mark Rudan’s side ensured it was a trip to remember with Besart Berisha’s first-half goal enough for a 1-0 win.

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“As soon as the fixture list came out I knew I would be attending, there was no way I was going to miss our first competitive game,” said Trimble, who comes from Werribee in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

“It was an incredible experience, to be there from the start was something magical and an experience I will never forget.

“It was an amazingly proud moment for myself and everyone who travelled, being surrounded by fellow dedicated supporters and club representatives felt really special and allowed us to feel more connected to the club.”

An important pillar of forging any successful club is building a great relationship between the club, the players and the fans.

Western United v Perth Glory match preview


It’s an area that United have been very big on as they try to make their mark in Melbourne.

“The players are very big fans of us in the Western Service Crew. After every game during pre-season, they have said thank you to all the fans around the ground, but made sure to thank us for our undying support to bring the noise and atmosphere to these games,” United supporter Matthew Dunmall said.

“After one of the games, I showed Josh Cavallo my Western United kit which had his name on the back.

‘I told him that my kit was the first-ever sold kit with a players’ name on the back and he was quite humbled by that.

“He thanked me greatly for giving him the honour as the first player whose name was printed on a public shirt for the club.”

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Western United youngster Josh Cavallo
Western United FC youngster Josh Cavallo
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This article was originally published on the Hyundai A-League website.
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