Tombides' former clubs pay homage
Former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi will make his senior debut for Perth SC when they host Stirling Lions in the inaugural Dylan Tombides tribute match at Dorrien Gardens tomorrow.
The match has been named in honour of WA striker Tombides, who died last month aged 20 after a three-year battle with testicular cancer.
Perth and Stirling will play for the Dylan Tombides Trophy each year during the NPL WA home-and-away season, with the winner to be determined on aggregate.
Tombides played junior soccer with both clubs before joining West Ham United in 2010. Perth SC president Gary Marocchi said Tombides had left a big impression on the club.
"Dylan played with a number of the boys who are now playing in our first team and there will be no greater honour for these boys to participate in a tribute match for their former teammate and friend," Marocchi said.
Stirling Lions spokesman Don Evans said Tombides and his family would always be a big part of the club.
"Dylan's time spent with our club will be honoured on Sunday by a trophy befitting of the champion player, person and friend he was to all here in Perth," Evans said.
Perth SC pulled off a major recruiting coup when they signed Madaschi this week.
The 31-year-old has taken his career full circle after leaving Perth SC for Italian Serie A club Atalanta as a teenager in 1998.
He spent more than a decade in Europe before short spells at Melbourne Heart and Jeju United (South Korea).
Madaschi trained with Perth Glory during the second half of the 2013-14 A-League season and hopes playing with Perth SC can be a stepping stone back to the national competition.
"After my most recent pro experience in the South Korean K-League, and with the A-League in the off- season, this is the perfect opportunity for me to gain and maintain fitness and game time," Madaschi said.
In today's other fixtures, league leaders Bayswater City host Perth Glory's age-restricted team, while top-six clashes include Sorrento versus Floreat Athena and Balcatta against Cockburn City.
