Exclusive interview with Blacktown City Demons stalwart Damian Foxe
Where others might have stood to receive a standing ovation in front of thousands, with the entire spectacle associated with a sporting milestone ranging from fireworks to hall-of-fame inductions, Blacktown City Demons legend Damien Foxe walked onto a Sun-drenched pitch to the sound of warm applause and the adulation of a very select group of football lovers.
His 300th game for the Demons might not make headlines but the contribution he has made to one of the most successful football clubs in New South Wales will not be quickly forgotten. In a cruel way, it is perhaps appropriate that the milestone be brought up with a humbling and painful 3-0 loss at the hands of the Marconi Stallions.
Those 90 minutes epitomize the absence of glory and spotlight during the career of a man who looks now towards spending time with his family and enjoying what is left of his playing days.
Foxe, a life-long servant in one of Sydney?s traditional football strongholds and the brother of former Socceroo Hayden, carries with him fond memories of a club that holds a place in his heart and the importance of which may not be known by many but which will be eternally appreciated by few.
FNSW: Damien, disappointing that your 300th game with Blacktown ended in defeat?
DF: Footballers want what I suppose you would call a fairytale event to come off the right way. We had a player sent off so the whole start to the game didn?t go to plan. On the other hand it was great to get to 300 games.
FNSW: You?ve been away from the club for a little while but were involved in it at a time where it experienced so much success. Following the administrative and on-pitch difficulties of last season, did it hurt you to see such a proud club suffer?
DF: I was at Marconi for two seasons and came back to the club and saw how much it had changed in term of the mass exodus of players and the departure of Aytek Genc; they were left with a young side. I had been away for a long time but it felt good to be back and to see the club wanted some senior players to get it back on track, in terms of getting the club to finish mid-table or even get to the Semis. We?ve got a lot of work to do, we?ve got some young players but to date we haven?t scored a goal in three appearances and with young guys and older players all playing together for the first time it?s going to take a little bit of time to gel, so I?m hoping that will happen in the next few weeks.
FNSW: With you?re 300th game for the club now up, there surely must be some memories with Blacktown you particularly treasure?
DF: My favourite moments have been being able to make grand finals and win some of those. We had a run where we made six grand finals [during the 90s] in a row and five of those were under Brian Brown, who did a fantastic job at the club. When you go on a run like that, I suppose a lot of players don?t get the chance at that. We won three in a row and lost three but of all my memories, that?s a really strong one.
I started their as a junior in the U-13s before going to [Parramatta] Melita for 3 or 4 years. The people at Blacktown, the club, the atmosphere; I think it?s a place where all young people would enjoy playing and that?s what kept me at the club, along with the success. They had the right people in there and the right coaches and that also kept me there.
FNSW: Unlike many of the other Sydney clubs, Blacktown have never had an ethnic fan-base to call upon consistently. Having said that, the fans who do turn up to watch the team are genuine football fans. You must surely appreciate their turning up to support the side over the years?
DF: There?s a handful of people who I can remember from my early days of playing that still come to the game, so it?s unbelievable. It?s only a very small amount but obviously they are very passionate. They?re obviously a lot older now. But the hardest thing is – it?s such a strong area in terms of football – trying to get people to the game. It?s trying to get another supporter base for the club ? things are tough at the moment.
FNSW: Having said that, the club has traditionally had a strong junior system and Blacktown is an area with a strong football culture. Do you still see a role for the club within the community?
DF: I do. Their junior system is very good and they?ve produced some good players who have gone to the A-League and overseas. If you take Blacktown away I don?t think there?s another club around ? the closest would be Penrith United. We definitely need it to stay and it would be sad to see it go because of its long history.
FNSW: You?re brother Hayden also played at the club as a junior. What are your memories of him?
DF: Hayden played at Blacktown as a junior before going to the AIS. He was a couple of years underneath me as a junior but I got to play one game with him, only for about 15 minutes when he came on in reserve grade. That?s my only game with Hayden at that level ? I still remember it!
FNSW: Do you ever feel as though you?re in Hayden?s shadow?
DF: No, not at all. I?m just proud that he got where he is and had a successful football career and I?m very happy with what I?ve done.
FNSW: How much longer can you see yourself playing for Blacktown?
DF: I would probably say this might be my last year, I did have a bad back injury which saw me take a season off last year but in terms of work and family, this possibly is my last year. You never know though, we?ll wait and see.
FNSW: Any chance of a coaching gig when your playing days are over?
DF: I?m not interested in coaching at the moment. I?m just going to sit back and relax and spend some much needed time with the family.
FNSW: Damien Foxe, thank you for your time, congratulations on making 300 appearances for Blacktown and best of luck with the remainder of the season.
DF: Much appreciated.
-By Chris Paraskevas
