Tarek Elrich has broken the record for the most A-League matches played for Newcastle.
Newcastle Jets defender Tarek Elrich has broken the record for the most A-League matches played for Newcastle, with the long serving defender notching up 122 games on Wednesday night to surpass former captain Matt Thompson-s record of 121.
“Before the game I didn-t actually know I was breaking the record,” Elrich explained, “I saw someone with a sign saying 122 and asked Jacob Pepper what it meant and he said he read on twitter that I was breaking the record.
“It is a good achievement and there is no better Club to do it with and I was also happy to take to record off my good friend Matt Thompson.”
Joining the club as a 17-year-old, this adopted Novocastrian has rejected offers from other clubs to stay in Newcastle at a club he loves.
“I have made my home in Newcastle, I have bought a place here and I see my long term future in Newcastle,” the 24-year-old said.
Elrich has made a big contribution to the Club both on and off the field. Most notably on-field, he played in the Jets 2007 championship win under current coach Gary van Egmond, who describes Elrich as the kind of player you want to have around.
“It is great to see Tarek reach this milestone, he just loves to play and if I asked him to play keeper he would because that is how much he loves this Club and this town,” van Egmond said.