Despite being local rivals, Sydney FC is widely regarded as the Wanderers' main rival, with intense and fierce matches in the Sydney Derby.[2] Macarthur FC was initially established in 2018 as a merger between two bids, originally known as Macarthur South West United.[10][11] They earned their A-League spot in December 2018,[12] and were later renamed and founded as Macarthur FC in May 2019.[3] This transformation was driven by the rapid growth of football's popularity in the club's region, one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.[2] According to Gino Marra, Macarthur's chairman, approximately 35,000 people in the region were not supporting an A-League team, and introducing a local rival was seen as a way to expand the club's fan base within the region.[2]
History
The first meeting between Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers occurred on the opening matchday of the 2020–21 A-League season.[13] The initial date for the match was on 27 December 2020 at Western Sydney Stadium, but due to a COVID-19 outbreak, it was moved three days back to 30 December 2020.[14] Around 10,128 fans were in attendance that day as Macarthur won 1–0 over Western Sydney Wanderers after Mark Milligan scored the only goal from a free kick taken by Beñat.[15][16] In the returning fixture on 6 February 2021 at Campbelltown, Macarthur drew 2–2 with the Wanderers.[17] Goals from Aleksandar Jovanovic and Aleksandar Šušnjar kept the Bulls in the lead before Graham Dorrans and Simon Cox equalised the match by full-time.[18]
By the end of the season, Macarthur FC finished in sixth with 39 points, above Western Sydney Wanderers, who sat in eighth with 35 points.[19] In the 2021–22 A-League season, Macarthur finished seventh with 33 points, missing out on the A-League Finals Series by 6 points, although finishing higher than the Wanderers who placed in tenth with 27 points.[20] Macarthur FC won two out of the three matches against Western Sydney Wanderers,[1] defeating their opponents 2–0 at home that led Wanderers fans to boo their players on the field.[21]Carl Robinson, who made his managerial start in the first meeting against Macarthur,[22] was sacked by Western Sydney Wanderers in January 2022.[23] Macarthur then achieved their first win at home on 13 March 2022, with Ulises Dávila scoring twice to ensure a 3–1 victory over Wanderers.[24] In the 2022–23 season, Western Sydney Wanderers achieved their first win over Macarthur on 1 January 2023, following a 4–0 victory at Western Sydney Stadium.[25] In their next and seventh league meeting, Western Sydney Wanderers won for a second time at home, with another 4–0 victory; Brandon Borrello scored the opening goal before Macarthur's Craig Noone was sent off – all within six minutes of the match.[26] On 8 April 2023, the eighth meeting between the two sides was played at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. 2 goals from Brandon Borrello including a 95th minute equaliser and goals from Lachlan Rose and Al Hassan Toure meant a 2–2 draw was the result by full-time.[27]
Both Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers have vied for player signatures in the past. Macarthur FC's captain, Mark Milligan, rejected an offer from the Wanderers and chose to sign with Macarthur instead. His decision was influenced by his relationship with Ante Milicic and the potential for a future coaching role.[28][29] In early-2020, Matthew Jurman was four-months under contract with Western Sydney Wanderers before interests surfaced from overseas and other domestic clubs. Macarthur FC was reported to be in lengthy negotiations with Jurman despite Wanderers' efforts to extend his contract.[30] Jurman eventually moved on to have spells with Greek club Xanthi and Newcastle Jets,[31] before signing for Macarthur in June 2023.[32][33][34]
On 5 December 2019, Macarthur FC declared their interest in Sydney FC midfielder Miloš Ninković, who had six months remaining on his contract.[35] Despite expressing his desire to stay with Sydney FC, Ninković was given a two-week deadline by 5 p.m. to either extend his contract with Sydney FC or sign for Macarthur FC.[36][37] Macarthur was reportedly offering multi-year contract, with an increased based salary, including a possible coaching role at the club if he was to retire.[note 1][40] However, Ninković extended his contract with Sydney FC on 17 December 2019,[41][42][43] before ultimately, signing for Western Sydney Wanderers on 3 July 2022 – less than two weeks after his release from Sydney FC.[44]
^The Daily Telegraph reported that the initial offer for Ninković was a two-year contract with an option to extend, including a possible coaching role and a base salary of $750,000 – an increase of Sydney FC's offer of $500,000.[38] The final offer made on 16 December 2019, and reported by SBS Sports, was for an increased base salary of $1.6 million under the same terms.[39]
