Tarek Elrich and Nikolai Topor-Stanley are the latest members of the Hyundai A-League’s exclusive 100-club.
Two of the Newcastle Jets- fan favourites are joining the elite Hyundai A-League centurion club this week in an historic few days for the team.
Tarek Elrich celebrated the landmark occasion on Saturday evening, appearing in his 100th Hyundai A-League game for the Jets after originally joining the club as an injury replacement player under Richard Money in the 2005/06 season.
While iconic central defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley will reach the magical one hundred mark on Tuesday, 11 January at home against the North Queensland Fury. The 25-year-old has played previously for Sydney FC and Perth Glory in the Hyundai A-League.
Jets- Chief Executive, John Tsatsimas, this afternoon expressed his delight at having two of the game-s most likeable personalities at the club during this special time in their respective careers.
“Certainly everyone involved at the Newcastle Jets is proud of the achievements of both Tarek and Nikolai,” he said.
“There are few players in the club-s relatively short history who have captured the imagination of our valued supporters quite like these two and it-s fantastic to see them reach the one hundred-game milestone in such a close timeframe.”
The first player for the Jets, and indeed the Hyundai A-League, to join the century club was former skipper Matt Thompson, who was gifted a special commemorative jersey to mark the event in front of the home fans at EnergyAustralia Stadium last season.
This same presentation will be made for Elrich and Topor-Stanley over the next week, with Elrich having his 100 jersey handed to him on Tuesday night prior to the Fury match, and Topor-Stanley having the honour on Sunday, 16 January before the match against the Central Coast Mariners.
“The jersey presentation is just one small way that the club is extending its thanks and appreciation to long-serving players,” Tsatsimas explained.
“We feel that it is important to commemorate such events and believe that having a presentation in front of our home fans is something that not only adds to the matchday experience, but also reflects the club-s want to give the player their moment in the sun.”
“We obviously had the distinction of having the first player in Hyundai A-League history reach the exclusive figure and it-s important to build upon key moments in the club-s history in order to create the kind of club culture that is indicative of this great city.”
With the Jets- push towards the Hyundai A-League Finals Series still well and truly on, there will be no room for sentiment once the opening whistle is blown for these two crucial home games. Wins against the Fury and Mariners would see the Jets pile the pressure on Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Heart above them on the ladder.
“Tarek was able to celebrate his one hundredth game last weekend with a win and by setting up a goal for one of our new players in Ryan Griffiths, so naturally everyone is hoping Nikolai can enjoy something similar on Tuesday night against the Fury in front of a big Newcastle crowd,” Tsatsimas said.
To be a part of these special occasions, book your tickets for the Jets- home games against North Queensland Fury on Tuesday, 11 January and Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, 16 January through www.proticket.com.au.
Newcastle Jets vs North Queensland Fury – Tuesday, 11 January. Kick-off 7:30pm
Newcastle Jets vs Central Coast Mariners – Sunday, 16 January. Kick-off 5:00pm.
