A lot changed in the three and a half years Alex Brosque was overseas. Sydney FC were no longer defending champions, a new team represented his home of Fairfield, and his family and friends jumped on the Wanderers' bandwagon in his absence. Yet there was something more powerful than the football allegiance of those closest to him that made it impossible to play for another A-League club: one of the last wishes of a dying fan.

William "DoggaDog" Duran, one of the founding members of Sydney FC's supporter group the Cove, passed away in January, 2012. He was a passionate, vocal and proud supporter of the club who boldly displayed the words "Sydney Til I Die" on his forearm. He was honoured by Sydney with a memorial and a minutes' silence before a match against Central Coast Mariners, where his favourite player, Brosque, was invited to honour William by being the first person to stand in his seat.

A gesture of respect: Alex Brosque in Duran's seat Credit:FoxSports

On holiday in Sydney during the J-League break, Brosque initially declined out of respect for Duran and his family. He was eventually convinced after hearing how much it would mean for Duran to have this Sydney player, another Fairfield local, honour him. Banners were unveiled in respect of Duran, his image branded on the big screen during the most powerful minute in an otherwise forgettable 90 in which Sydney lost to the Mariners. As Brosque stood alongside teary fans and an overwhelmed Duran family, he knew he had to return to Moore Park.

"It was a really touching experience and when I look back at photos and images of it I still get goosebumps. It was a touching moment," Brosque said.