Latest news with #SkyBlues'
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
A-League: Adrian Segecic secures top Sydney FC award
Europe-bound Adrian Segecic has farewelled Sydney FC in style, winning the Sky Blues' player-of-the-season award. Segecic, who has been linked with Austrian club Rapid Vienna, was also awarded the members' best player and Golden Boot gongs at Wednesday night's Sky Blue Ball. 'It's a huge honour to be recognised like this,' said the 21-year-old attacking weapon, who scored 18 goals in all competitions for Sydney in the club's 2024-25 campaign, 'This club means so much to me. I've been here since I was 12-years old and I've worked really hard this season with the support of my teammates and the staff. 'I'm grateful to the members and fans who've been behind us every step of the way.' Sydney FC's Adrian Segecic celebrates scoring a goal for the Sky Blues. Picture: Saeed Khan/ AFP Segecic's superb individual season had already secured him joint A-League Golden Boot honours with Adelaide United marksman Archie Goodwin. Sydney's women's player-of-the-season award was won by captain Natalie Tobin, who made a successful comeback from a serious knee injury. 'It's always special to be recognised and even more special to have won this award for the second time,' Tobin said. 'We are building again and I'm looking forward to coming back bigger and better next season.' Mackenzie Hawkesby won the club's women's Golden Boot award for her six goals. Originally published as Departing star Adrian Segecic claims Sydney FC player-of-the-year honours
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Frank Lampard's three-word message to Coventry players before Championship play-off second leg
Frank Lampard can call upon plenty of stories to inspire Coventry City's players ahead of their day of destiny at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday. As the Sky Blues' manager looks to instil the necessary spirit to overturn a single-goal deficit, he could trawl the memory of over 1,000 involvements at an elite level of English and international football. In fact, he could probably find motivation in make-believe if he wanted – via the series of children's books he wrote as he neared the end of his playing days at Chelsea. But he cited two contrasting examples from the real world as Coventry, a club where he assumed control just six months ago, prepared for the second leg on Wearside. The theme was simple: 'anything can happen'. Lampard referenced a Champions League quarter-final from 16 years ago in which Chelsea appeared to have established a firm grip. Thanks to goals from Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso, it took less than 30 minutes for opponents Liverpool to wipe out the Blues' 3-1 lead from the first leg. That sparked a rollercoaster of excitement as – thanks to a late brace from Lampard – the west Londoners scraped home following a 4-4 draw. Six years ago, the player-turned-manager was in charge at Derby County who had been out-played by Leeds United at Pride Park during the semi-final first leg. After falling one goal behind in the return at a jittery Elland Road, the Rams roared back into the tie, winning 4-3 on aggregate. That comeback saw Derby through to the final and prompted Lampard to put his credit card behind the bar following an impromptu pub stop on the way home. It might have cost him £2,500, but it would have been worth every penny. He said: 'I've been in football long enough to know that it's never done until it's done – that goes both ways. I remember being 3-1 up at Chelsea, playing Liverpool in the Champions League and they scored two to go 3-3. That tie changed completely. 'At Derby, when we went to Leeds we actually went two-down because we lost the first game 1-0 and went one-down at Elland Road. The difference between our first game against Sunderland on Friday and that one with Leeds was that we were well and truly beaten. 'Because of the circumstance of the first game the other day, we know we have more than a fighter's chance. I think the players understood what that game was. They know with improvements in ourselves and tweaks, we can be better.' Lampard took over late last November in controversial circumstances not of his own making. Sky Blues' owner Doug King sacked Mark Robins amid an indifferent run of results – the Mancunian's first genuine blip during seven otherwise spotless years of rule. During his new hire's unveiling, King mentioned that Lampard was inheriting 'the best deck' of players ever assembled. The new manager wisely kept his counsel on that one, and he wasn't given much by way of funds to strengthen in the new year. What Lampard did, however, was identify that Coventry's back four needed protection. Influential skipper Ben Sheaf had been missing through injury and Matt Grimes, recruited from Swansea City, slotted in perfectly. Until mid-January, Coventry's form had been typical of the Championship: win one, draw one, lose one. But then a run of nine victories in 10 games established a momentum that saw them over the line. He added: 'Sunderland are a really good team at this level. But we have intent at the top of the pitch. In the first leg, we controlled a lot of the game. To lose as we did was not ideal – but it's better than being played off the park. So, we know we played pretty well. We know we can do better.' Lampard tossed a statistic into the mix that Coventry were basking in the glory of another headed goal on Friday night after Jack Rudoni found the net. 'We've scored a lot of headed goals as a team this season,' added Lampard. 'I think more than any in Europe.' Overall, the mood was positive. They may be entering the Black Cats' den, but Coventry are not without hope. 'It's exciting for the players,' said Lampard. 'We could be on the beach now, like some other teams. We're not, we're going to the second leg of a play-off semi-final. 'We're going to the Stadium of Light. A fantastic stadium, with a really good fanbase who support their team. It's what we're in the game for. That environment should be an inspiration for us. To show what we can do on the pitch. 'We need to improve a few details. Other than that, it's a case of keep doing what we've been doing and for the players to trust themselves. It's a game of football – and a lot can happen.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coventry City 1-2 Sunderland - send us your thoughts
Were you in the stands at the CBS Arena or following the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final from elsewhere? Wherever you were, we want hear from you. What did you think of the Sky Blues' performance? Any thoughts on Sunderland's efforts? Come back to this page tomorrow to find out what some of you had to say.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘One of the best things I've ever seen' – Frank Lampard stunned as Coventry star hits 180 with first-ever three darts
FRANK LAMPARD was blown away by Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's incredible piece of darts wizardry in his first ever appearance at the Oche. The midfielder sent his Coventry City team-mates into a state of pandemonium by hitting an incredible 180 with the first three darts he's ever thrown in his life. 5 5 5 5 The Japanese midfielder achieved the incredible feat on a dartboard in the Sky Blues' dressing room. The 28-year-old was mobbed by his team-mates after his masterstroke, which Coventry gaffer Lampard was in awe of. The former Chelsea and England star said: "Tatsuhiro hit a 180 and he doesn't play and hasn't practiced. "It was amazing." Sakamoto's incredible piece of skill was witnessed by team-mate Jake Bidwell, who was equally as astounded as Lampard. He said: "[Jamie] Paterson is the oldest player in the dressing room now and he said it is one of the best things he has ever seen in football. "That tells you all you need to know. "He hit two in and then he's got nervous so he stepped back. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 "And then I think it took him about two minutes to throw the last one. "It went in and the place went up. Frank Lampard tipped for England job as former Premier League manager Chris Wilder says 'it just shines through' "For someone of Pato's experience to say it is one of the best things he has ever seen in a dressing room, that paints the picture of how good it was." Sakomoto hasn't just been a gem in the dressing room for the Sky Blues this season. The winger has scored four goals and provided six assists for his side, who ended the Championship season in fifth place and have the chance of returning to the Premier League via the play-offs. The first leg of their semi-final tie with Sunderland
News.com.au
27-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
NSWRL drops women's Origin name amid legal threats from Sydney FC
NSWRL has been forced to drop the name Sky Blues for their women's State of Origin side after threats of legal action were made by A-League's most successful club Sydney FC, who go by the same nickname. Ahead of Thursday night's series opener at Suncorp Stadium, the former moniker 'Sky Blues' has been dropped from all official NSWRL communications as well as the team's social media channels. However, the changes weren't made in time to make cut off dates for new kits for this year's series, which were submitted back in November. The NSW game day jerseys and training kits for staff and players still have the former logo including the words 'Sky Blues' in the crest, which will be worn on Thursday night. The official change on social media channels and communications was made earlier this year after NSWRL relented to ongoing requests from Sydney FC, despite the difference in sporting codes and teams. The A-League giant claims the trademarked moniker 'Sky Blues' is a part of the club's intellectual property and branding of their men's, women's and academy teams, as well as a recognisable part of their club culture and fan songs. It was officially trademarked as the team's nickname a decade ago. Sydney FC's legal attempts to protect their brand escalated in February and to avoid any further action NSWRL bosses opted for an official shift for their representative side to be known as the NSW Blues women instead. The new name aligns branding with the men's team, known as the NSW Blues, as well as the Queensland Maroons women's team. It comes ahead of Thursday night's series opener which is expected to attract a crowd bigger than last year's 25,492 to kick off Magic Round. The new-look NSW Blues arrived in camp in Brisbane on Saturday, and will train at Ballymore Oval on Monday as they plan to avenge back-to-back series losses. Coach John Strange has named a brand new 20-person team, including untested halves combination Tiana Penitani and Jesse Southwell, rookie fullback Abbi Church and fellow debutants Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston and Jocelyn Kelleher.
