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Elation and then despair in Wanderland Featured

Elation and then despair in Wanderland

By Anthony Stavrinos

A FAIRYTALE A-League debut season for the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers has sensationally delivered the Premier’s Plate, with the championship title up for grabs in this month’s finals series.

The Wanderers finished the season at the top of the table with a 3-nil away win over Newcastle Jets, spurred on by 8,000 travelling fans.

But a little over 24 hours later, celebration of the clubs incredible achievement turned to shock and despair as news emerged of the death of Rod Allen, the accomplished sports journalist turned PR agent that had led the blitz in media coverage for the Wanderers.

"Football lost a great friend today," said Wanderers Executive Chairman, Lyall Gorman in a statement issued on the day of Rod’s death.

"We have lost a truly wonderful man, an incredible contributor to our club and football for many, many years and more importantly one of our family and a great friend.

"On this day of immense shock and sadness, we remember Rod's wonderful warm nature. Our thoughts are with his beautiful wife Laila and their extended family.”

Rod was at Hunter Stadium to see the Wanderers take out the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Premiers Plate.

“Our last time together was in the car park at Newcastle on Friday night where we shared a drink and celebrated a wonderful night in our club’s history after winning the Premiers Plate,” Gorman said.

"I am not sure that in the nine years I have known Rod that I have ever seen him happier or prouder when it came to football."



editor

Publisher
Michael Walls
michael@accessnews.com.au
0407 783 413

Access News is a print and digital media publisher established over 15 years and based in Western Sydney, Australia. Our newspaper titles include the flagship publication, Western Sydney Express, which is a trusted source of information and for hundreds of thousands of decision makers, businesspeople and residents looking for insights into the people, projects, opportunities and networks that shape Australia's fastest growing region - Greater Western Sydney.