Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Tony Carbone

Overseas Clubs:                                             

Tranmere Rovers, Nottingham Forest

NSL Club:                                                       

Perth Glory

Green & Gold Honors:                                    

Captained the Young Socceroos in the 1993 World Youth Cup in Australia.

Diegos Verdict:                                              

Wholehearted dashing performer who liked to run with the ball.

‘Carbs’ found it difficult however to lay his jockstrap down and call any one-club home since his World Youth Cup experience in 1993.

Good for the Frequent Flyers, bad for establishing himself and making a serious career out of the sport.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Tony Carbone

Carbone on his experience in English footy…

Diegos: “In the last two years you've made more trips back and forth from England than the cast of 'Neighbours', in your quest to fulfill your Elle McPherson fantasy - to play as an overseas soccer professional.

What has happened in your previous visits to England? Is it a case of not receiving the right offer yet?

Carbone: “Last season I trialled with Tranmere Rovers and they offered me a three month contract which l didn't accept. I also trialled at Reading and felt that l did well, with the manager wanting to sign me but unfortunately the board vetoed his decision.

I then returned to Perth with the view of trying again this season. When l returned this season, l trained at Luton and Notts County but no firm offers came my way so l was happy to return home and play with Glory."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Carbone on Perth Glory…

Diegos: “You spent a lengthy period with Nottingham Forest in England after the World Youth Championships in the early 90's.

What's the Perth Glory set up like compared to what you experienced at Forest and do you ever give your mates in Nottingham a ring to tell them that if they want to be part of a winning team they should come to Australia and sign up for the Glory?

Carbone: “A few of my mates at Nottingham would rather be earning pounds rather than the dollars at the moment, even though they are playing in a struggling team at Forest.

One of my good mates, Craig Armstrong is doing well and breaking into the first team, so he definitely won't come. As far as the training is concerned, Bernd European methods aren't dissimilar to the training at Forest.

The major difference between soccer in Australia and England is that it is an everyday passion over there and the media is saturated with it. Having said that, Perth Glory's average crowds of more than 15,000 people is more than English Premier league team, Wimbledon can ever dream of. "

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Carbone on the Youth World Cup 1993…

Diegos: “It just seemed like yesterday that you captained the Young Socceroos to the quarter finals of the World Youth Cup in Australia in 1993. You have been the only Sandgroper to ever captain Australia in a major international soccer tournament.

Do you still hold hopes to play for Australia at full international level and perhaps, captain your country again one day?"

Carbone: “Before l think about captaining Australia, I've got to try and make the team. It really is just one step at a time. If I'm playing well and Raul asks me to join the squad, l certainly won't knock him back."

Diegos: “In that tournament you scored a dramatic 'Golden Goal' winner in extra time against Uruguay. The Four Diegos were particularly impressed with your goal celebration that involved a mixture of delirious non-stop Forest Gump running and some quite passionate kissing and hugging of your teammates.

If you score an extra time winner in the Ericsson cup finals for Glory, will you adopt a similar celebration and if you do, which teammate will you kiss first?"

Carbone: “Which teammate will l kiss first??? Um…probably Vas Kalorgeracos on his newly shaved head. In 1993 in that game that you're referring to, the adrenalin was certainly pumping, and l guess the goal celebration showed that. If l score in the Ericsson cup finals l have a feeling that you may see a similar display of joy."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Carbone on El Nino…

Diegos: “Nino El Nino - The Four Diegos resident weatherman tells us that in 33 home games since Perth Glory's formation, it hasn't rained once during a game at Perth Oval. You're the type of player who likes to run and penetrate the heart of the opposition defense.

Do you believe the dry hard grounds suit your game?"

Carbone: “It really doesn't matter what grounds you play on, you need to perform in all conditions. I do enjoy playing at Perth oval when it is dry but l suspect, when the wet weather comes, Bernd will expect the same 100 % performance from us all."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 

Carbone on the Glory throng…

Diegos: “The size and vocal support of Perth Glory crowds have been likened to everything from the fans in the cheap seats at a Madonna concert to the Kop at any of the big English clubs.

How do you believe the Perth crowd rates when compare to soccer crowds overseas?"

Carbone: “On my last trip to England, l attended the Nottingham Forest V Derby County match and sat amongst the supporters in the stands. The atmosphere was phenomenal and very much like the support we get at Perth oval."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999