Western United back on Mars

A-LEAGUE side Western United are set to make their return to Mars Stadium with a regular season match against newcomers Macarthur FC slated for Saturday, 20 February.

It’ll be the first time in just over a year top-level football has been played in Ballarat, and Western United CEO Chris Pehlivanis said the game will be a great opportunity to support the club and check out some top-level sport.

“Our club is a club for the west, and Ballarat; Western United is your club,” he said. “We want everyone in the Ballarat region to jump onboard and come see us live.

“The reality is you’re going to be able to witness some elite football and some of the best players in the country.

Like almost everything else, the pandemic has had an impact on this season’s A-League schedule.

The comp started late and fixtures have been shuffled around, yet that challenge for the competition has also enabled the game at Mars to take place.

“With COVID at the moment we’re trying to play as many games in as many regions as we can,” Pehlivanis said.

“We played in Ballarat in our first season, so we were eager to get back there as soon as possible.”

Returning to the city and Mars also continues to drive the goal of Western United; to be a team that plays for everyone in the region.

“From day one we’ve been a team for the west and Ballarat is a key focus for us in terms of growing our fanbase, and also giving us an opportunity to take professional sport to the region, which has a rich history of sport in Victoria and Australia,” Pehlivanis said.

“We want the region to embrace us and make sure that everyone that grows up, and lives, in Ballarat supports the green and black.”

Even though Western United currently sit third-last on the A-League table, the club has played out hard-fought and close games that have only slipped from their grasp at the death.

By the time United run onto Mars the side will be coming off their first road trip of the season, including a two-game hitch in New South Wales.

“We’re seasoned to travelling, we enjoy traveling,” he said.

Western United v Macarthur FC is set for Saturday, 20 February at Mars Stadium with kick off at 5.05pm. Ticketing information is still to be confirmed.