The 24/25 campaign officially kicked off on Wednesday with the Reds securing a hard-fought win over Blacktown City FC in the Australia Cup. It was a special night for the Club as two young South Australians made their senior debuts amongst an abundance of state grown talent.
Harry Crawford (17) and Ryan White (18) became the 209th (Crawford) and 210th (White) players to represent Adelaide United.
Ryan came off the bench in the 64th minute, replacing Jonny Yull in the centre of midfield, and nearly scored himself.
“I only found out I was in the squad the day before we travelled, so it’s been a pretty crazy couple of days for me,” he said.
“It has been a great experience. It’s been a dream of mine to debut, and to do it for the club I grew up supporting is even better. I’m glad we could get the job done and progress to the next round,” Ryan concluded.
Harry Crawford played the last six minutes and enjoyed every moment of it.
“It’s been an amazing experience to be a part of the match day squad. Making my debut for my home club is very special to me, as I’ve supported the team since I was young,” Harry told United Media.
“I’m happy we got the win and progressed to the next round of the cup.”
In the travelling squad, an impressive seven of the starting XI were South Australians, showcasing the spirit and passion of our state on the field. Additionally, five more South Australian players were ready on the bench, bringing the total to 13 out of the 18 squad members.
The presence of local talent highlights the strength and depth of football in South Australia. It is a testament to the dedication of players, coaches, and the entire support network that has nurtured these players from grassroots to professional level.
This achievement is a proud moment for the entire Adelaide United and South Australian football community, reinforcing their commitment to developing and showcasing homegrown talent.
The Club takes immense pride in its South Australian players, who continue to inspire the next generation of footballers across the state.
