Perth Glory Football Club has bolstered its goalkeeping stocks for the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 campaign, after signing talented 24-year old West Australian custodian Nick Feely.
Born in Hong Kong, the Perth raised “Young Socceroo” emerged as Glory’s hero in last season’s dramatic Round 16 Westfield FFA Cup clash against Queensland outfit, Lions FC.
Feely made his debut for Glory in the match (while on a short term contract) after regular keeper Jerrad Tyson conceded a foul and was sent off. Feely saved the resultant penalty to keep Perth in the game which it eventually won in extra-time.
“I’m very proud of my performance, we were under the pump. It was a long 85 minutes with 10 men and we went right to the wire in extra time and scored in the last minute. I was prepared for a penalty shootout” he said.
Feely who is the son of former Chelsea, Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday striker Peter Feely, played junior and senior football at Subiaco and Cockburn before joining Scottish football giants Celtic FC as an 18-year old, where he won the Scottish Youth Cup and the U-19 premiership.
“Frazer Forster was there, who is the England goalkeeper now; it was great to work under him. Lukasz Zaluska, the Polish international, you’re not playing with local players there, you’re playing with experienced international players at a big international club”.
Feely returned to Perth after completing his engineering degree at Cardiff University, mid last-year. After a three year absence from football, Feely admits he’s been given a second chance.
“Yeah it does (feel like a second chance) because it’s three years out of the game and possibly this would be the only club that would give me a second chance. I know a lot of the staff and the players here, I picked up the phone and called Kenny (Lowe) and asked “can I come down and train” initially.
“One thing led to another, I might not have got that opportunity at another club. I’ve got good relationships at the club, hopefully they’re long relationships and I’m looking forward to having a good time here”.
Feely is one of 12 WA born or raised players contracted for the new season and will join the squad for pre-season training at the end of the month.
Memberships for the 16/17 season go on sale June 7.
