Saliadarre keeping it real at Spartans

Any interview with Blacktown Spartans’ goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre must begin with his involvement with Western Sydney Wanderers during the 2012/13 season.
“It was a great experience there and I had some unbelievable moments with them, the derby game for one and the fans especially and it’s something I will never forget and always be proud of. It was truly amazing and I’m honoured to have been a part of it.”
It goes without saying that once tasted it remains the target for all players as a, hopefully, jumping point to bigger and better down the track.
“Absolutely it is something I would be interested in of course. If a club was to call me up and ask would I be interested in pre-season with them I would be more than happy to give it a go. I think I am capable of playing at the A-League level, especially now that I have had a taste so naturally I am ready to have a go if and when the opportunity presents itself.”
The ‘if’ is a moot point as when is the real question as it will surely happen but the fact no particular club has shown any interest at this point is startling to say the least in many eyes.
“No. I have to be honest and say that no-one has come knocking yet and said they are interested but you know, you keep your fingers crossed and hopefully something comes up and I feel I am ready for the challenge should that happen. All I can do is my best for Blacktown Spartans and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”
Speaking prior to their match against Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park, Blacktown had just celebrated their best ever run in the IGA NPL by winning three games on the trot and this has had a remarkable effect on the team.
“For me personally I am just out there to do a job but I feel that as a team we look fairly good and against Central Coast Mariners Academy last week it was pretty close during the first half but the boy getting sent off helped obviously and made a difference.
“We maintained the composure to go out and finish the game off, probably as you should when you have the man advantage perhaps, but we made the most of the situation and hopefully we can continue that tonight against Sutherland.
“As for the morale it’s very good at the moment and the boys are doing well particularly when winning three games on the bounce after losing four on the trot. The boys have learnt a lot and had to show a bit of character to come back after those four losses and beat Sydney Olympic in the manner that we did. Everyone is confident in their own ability and you can see that week to week when we go out there on the pitch and stick to our game plan and play the way we want to play.
“Everyone is working hard at training and enjoying it so hopefully we can keep the run going and build on that.”
(The run came to an end in a thrilling encounter against Sutherland Sharks when the Spartans went down by three goals to one although Saliadarre kept his side in the game for most of the match and could certainly have been a far heavier defeat had the big hearted stopper not been between the sticks).
The Spartans are sitting higher in the table than many pundits would have given credit for pre-season which is a glowing tribute to the philosophy of the club and what they are trying to achieve but what of Saliadarre’s early football.
“I started my junior football and have actually always been in Sydney’s west including Smithfield, Mary Immaculate, and then many years spent between Marconi and Sydney United 58, six years with United all up and a couple of years at our (Spartans) then rival club Blacktown City Demons (now defunct) and Parramatta before coming here so it has always been in Sydney’s west.
“That made it all that little bit sweeter to be involved with the Wanderers of course.”
So the reality is that Saliadarre is a bit of a Bogan then.
“Yeah mate, bit of a bogan and proud of it but I don’t have the Camaro Brockie, that’s a little behind the times mate. The Bogan car these days is the XR8, however I have got one of those and do drive it everywhere,” he laughs.
All joking aside he presents a humbler side when speaking about his honours to date.
“I rate making my State Premier League debut as one of the highlights of my career so far but like most people I feel I still have my honours to come hopefully.
“I’ve been lucky to be involved with teams that have won Premier League titles in my junior football, Super League Grand Final winner in the U/20s, Division One runner-up and gaining promotion plus Super League minor premiers and Grand Final winner and many other highlights but probably one of the biggest honours, before the Wanderers, was making the Premier League with Blacktown Spartans and on a personal level all the hard work put in and practice paying off.”
Saliadarre doesn’t come across as a nice guy or even an intelligent one but looks are often deceptive and, dodgy haircut aside, here is one lad who is not only all of the above but for an XR8 driving Bogan has the personality to match and should his goals not be fulfilled there is absolutely no justice in the footballing world so do yourselves an enormous favour and get out to watch him now before the big boys come knocking or he is whisked away overseas perhaps?
-By Micky Brock