It would obviously be on a smaller scale to when McBreen was playing for Central Coast Mariners in the 2012-13 A-League season and the Wanderers became their biggest opponents, but the RBB would still help to create a good atmosphere.
McBreen scored a goal from the penalty spot to clinch a 2-0 win to Mariners over Wanderers in the 2013 grand final. Earlier that season, he scored a double in another 2-0 win over Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
The Golden Boot winner as leading goal-scorer in the competition that season said he thrived on playing in front of a big crowd – whether they were for him or against him.
“I love all that banter, I love it when the crowd gives you stick and tries to wind you up,” McBreen told The World Game. “It just drives you on to perform better and if you score a goal you give them a wink or a little celebration in front of them.
“It’s good, I like that. It’s a great part of the game. It gives you that buzz – you feed off it. When you’re playing in front of enthusiastic crowds it brings out the best in you, I think.
“Most footballers who are worth their salt will perform better in front of a big crowd rather than go into their shell.”
McBreen played part of the 2013-14 A-League season for Mariners, but he mostly played in Asia that season and after eventually making a fulltime move to Asia he continued there until the end of the 2014-15 season.
But he wasn’t ready to retire and joined Edgeworth this season to play in the Northern NSW NPL competition. At 39, he is still very competitive and Edgeworth won the premiership and are through to the grand final.
But before they contest that game against Broadmeadow Magic at Magic Park on Sunday, there is the matter of the FFA Cup match and McBreen said the Eagles were very much looking forward to taking on A-League opposition.
“After we won our round of 32 game in Cairns, the first thing I said to the club secretary was that the perfect draw for the club now would be to play Western Sydney at home,” McBreen said. “And when it came out that way we were buzzing.
“Hopefully, a lot of the RBB will come up to support their team and that will help our club as well, through the gate receipts. When the bigger clubs bring their fans in a competition like this it really helps out the smaller clubs financially.
.@redders_20 says our new boys have hit the ground running ahead of tomorrow's FFA Cup clash against Edgeworth #WSWhttps://t.co/wnXEAe4uUG — WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) August 29, 2016
“It’s also good for the players in our team, because we’ve got a lot of young guys who aspire to be professional footballers one day and it gives them the taste of playing against a good team in front of a good crowd.
“I always enjoyed playing in front of the RBB, they’re a very good crowd of supporters. If they weren’t giving it to you there would be something wrong. I like that because it spurs you on and when you score it makes it even sweeter. The atmosphere is always great.
“The game is live on TV, so that might take a bit off the crowd, but the kick-off isn’t until 8pm and we all know Wanderers fans are prepared to travel to support their team. Hopefully, the later kick-off gives them time to come up from Sydney in good numbers and make for a good atmosphere.
“The more the merrier as far as we’re concerned. I’ve been telling the young boys the RBB have been quality, they’re great to play in front of.”
McBreen said the Edgeworth players believe they have got a decent shot at victory at home.
“We’re quietly confident,” he said. “We’ve got a very young squad, but with a few older heads in there.
“I don’t think the players will be overawed by the situation. The majority of them played against Melbourne City in the FFA Cup last year and did really well, only losing to a very late goal, so they’ve had a taste of it and they’ve got the confidence that they can go out there and do well.
“We’re not going out there to make up the numbers. We want to put in a good performance and make it to the quarter-finals.”
