2008 Johnny Warren Cup Preview
Football fever will again grip the state of NSW after its long pre-season lay-off as the 2008 Johnny Warren Cup is set to kick-off on the 19th of January right through until the 16th of February with 12 NSW Premier League side?s competing for the coveted trophy in memory of one of Australia?s best skippers ever to have played the game.
In its fifth year now, the Johnny Warren Cup is the official curtain raiser to the Football NSW Premier League season, and has been named in recognition of one of
He was an inspirational player and former national team captain, and continued contributing to football long after he hung his boots up, involving himself as coach, media commentator and football ambassador.
In recognition of his tireless efforts in promoting the game, Johnny was presented with the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in July 2004.Football NSW is extremely honoured to be yet again staging such an event in the memory of the Late Johnny Warren who really was ?Mr Football? of the Australian game.
Putting our clocks back to 2007, the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers were officially crowned Johnny Warren Cup Champions after defeating surprise packets Penrith-Nepean United 2-0 thanks to goals from Ian King and Christian Care.
2008 will see a new format come to fruition as two new teams have been added to the NSW Premier League competition being the West Sydney Berries and Macarthur Rams.
This pre-season Cup will provide many fans a first-hand look at what to expect from their respective NSW Premier League sides as a number of clubs have changed both player and coaching clientele.
All twelve home grounds from each respective clubs will be used as venues in double headers for the 2008 Johnny Warren Cup.Six clubs have been placed in two Pools, Pool A and Pool B, with each team playing each other once.
The winner of Pool A will take on the winner of Pool B in finding out who will be crowned the 2008 Johnny Warren Cup champion while the club?s that finish second respectively in their groups will play-off for the third-fourth spot.
Pool A sees Sydney Olympic, Marconi Stallions, Manly United, Wollongong Wolves, Bankstown City and West Sydney Berries do action while Pool B involves A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers, Sydney United, Blacktown City Demons, Sutherland Sharks, Penrith Nepean United and Macarthur Rams.
