Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Troy Halpin

NSL Clubs:                                         

Newcastle United, Perth Glory, Olympic Sharks

Green & Gold Honors:                        

Socceroo appearances: 6                      Goals: 1

Diegos Verdict:                                   

Creative playmaker in the middle of the park.

Possessed an array of deft touches, clever flicks and deadly through balls.

He had a mind of his own (a trait not many NSL coaches encouraged) that led to three high profile club moves in a relatively short space of time.

The Diegos say well-done Troy. Aussie soccer benefited from a couple of tempestuous types.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Troy Halpin

A night at the movies with Troy…

Diegos: “Many of the Perth Glory female fans like you because of your Robert Redford looks.

If you were to describe yourself on the field in terms of a film, which one would it be?

(a) 'Indecent Proposal' because you always argue with the referee

(b) 'The Sting' because of your trickery on the ball

(c) 'The Natural' because of your all round game

(d) 'Boogie Nights' (Not a Robert Redford film but no doubt a favorite with all the supporters in “The Shed” at the Perth Oval) because you like performing in public.”

Halpin: “That is a good but very weird question. The only time I've ever been called Robert Redford was in a nightclub by a 40-year-old lady whose judgment was seriously clouded because she was slightly under the weather. As far as my performance on the field is concerned, the film that would be describe it best would be 'Indecent Proposal' because l do often have a chat to the referees about some of the treatment l receive at times.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Halpin on Perth Glory…

Diegos: “Newcastle, your first club, and Perth Glory are worlds apart in terms of match day crowd support.

What other differences have you experienced when comparing both clubs?

Halpin: “The professionalism of both clubs is definitely different. But by far the biggest difference is coming from a crowd of around 4,000 in Newcastle to an average of 17,000 – 18,000 here in Perth. The Perth Glory club is just a lot larger in terms of everything that we do.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Halpin on the Socceroo experience…

Diegos: “You made the step up from domestic soccer to Socceroo selection last year in the two match series against Chile and Japan.

Were you happy with your performances and what are your future Socceroo aspirations?

Halpin: “I was very happy because l went to the tournament not expecting to get much of a run because Terry Venables hadn’t seen much of me. I was lucky enough though to get at least half a game against Chile and things went well for me.

The rest of the tournament continued to go well, with the good result against South Korea, a highlight for me. As for my aspirations for the future, l would like to part of the next Aussie World Cup squad. I know whoever is in charge will be looking at overseas based players, but l like to think that some of the home based players will be looked at again just like Ernie Tapai and Paul Trimboli were.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Halpin on Stange…

Diegos: “Glory at present are on top of the ladder, but your coach Bernd Stange says he is still not happy with the way the team is playing.

Do you ever feel like pulling him aside and saying ‘Relax Bernd, we’re on top of the ladder, don’t worry and let’s go have a beer’?”

Halpin: “I think Bernd does come across at times as not being very happy with the way we are playing.

Despite this, I think he is fairly relaxed about things at the moment. He likes to play his cards pretty close to his chest and not give too much away. I think potentially, he knows the side is good enough for a top two or three finish but he also knows that we have to perform to our potential every week. This consistency is not there at the moment.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Halpin on cheeky free kicks…

Diegos: “Against Canberra you scored a cheeky ‘David Beckham’ type chip from distance. It was a great goal.

Was it something that you practiced in the back yard as a kid?”

Halpin:” It probably came from playing in a deep lying midfield role where you play long balls regularly. I guess I've always practiced that type of ball. I think in all honesty, it was more of a pass - shot rather than striking it with power. In terms of passing, l have practiced strikes like that before. In this case, l just had a go and it went in.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Halpin on the Glory fans…

Diegos: “The support the team receives in Perth is phenomenal.

When the seething Perth Glory throng is behind you, how does it make you feel?”

Halpin: “For me personally it unbelievable. You see this type of support overseas and you’d never think in your wildest dreams that you would see it here in Australia at club level. Against the Adelaide Sharks the crowd lifted the side and we were able to get away with a 2 – 1 win. That’s the sort of effect they have on the team. ”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999