The inception of the Western Sydney Wanderers couldn’t have come at a worse time for NRL whipping boys the Parramatta Eels.

If finishing last for season 2012 wasn’t bad enough, their performances this year have resulted in some bookies even paying out punters for what will be a second straight year of wooden spoons.

Not only has the trophy cabinet been collecting dust since the end of the 1986 season, the fact two more premiership chances went begging in 2001 and 2009 only adds to one of the most frustrating and difficult times in the club’s history.

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This goes without mentioning the problems Ricky Stuart faces to assemble a respectable team beyond 2013.

The Western Sydney Wanderers on the other hand continue to revel in what was the fairytale sporting success story of 2012/13.

While capturing the imagination of virtually all Western Sydney, the Wanderers have continued their push to become one of the largest sporting teams in Australia, with membership numbers soaring at a phenomenal rate.

What was far from a perfect start, the Wanderers started their inaugural season without so much as a whimper in the early rounds.

Fortunately everything changed when Mark Bridge netted the Wanderers’ first goal in the club’s history against the then-champions Brisbane Roar.

From that moment on the club has not taken a backward step.



Breaking A-League records, providing quality football with an atmosphere to make any visiting team uncomfortable, and memorable experiences for men, women and children of all ages.

It’s easy to see why the Wanderers have captured the imagination.

Even sports editor for The Daily Telegraph Phil Rothfield jumped on board the Wanderers’ success.

After attending the Wanderers’ Round 22 home clash against Perth Glory, Rothfield was full of passion and glowing compliments for the Wanderers.

“On Saturday night, in Sydney’s foul weather, I stood, sang, cheered and clapped with the Bloc…”

He also commended the support of Wanderers fans and they surely left a lasting impression on him.

More recently, Rothfield wrote about the state of rugby league out in Sydney’s west. For league fans it was not good reading.

“Who would have thought the round-ball game could provide so much more atmosphere than a Parramatta Eels game, remembering this was the ground that used to be full to capacity during the footy season to watch Sterling and Kenny, Price and Cronin, Grothe and Ella,” Rothfield wrote.



Perhaps if the blue and gold were the toast of the town, the Wanderers’ task of trying to wrestle the attention of the sporting public away from the Eels may have been made more difficult.

But when only one team from three of the major four football codes are successful out in Sydney’s West, it’s fairly easy to see why everyone is getting behind those in red and black.

Thanks to the enormous growth of Wanderers, the possibility Parramatta stadium could now have expansion plans fast-tracked to accommodate the growing interest and demand is realistic.

So what happens when football supersedes rugby league and becomes number one out in Sydney’s west?

With poor attendance rates, lack of quality on-field and no real signs of improvement for the foreseeable future for other football codes, the Wanderers and football becoming number in Sydney’s west is building a very strong case.