Phil Čančar hails from Wollongong, a coastal city not far from Sydney. His career has taken him from there to Croatia, Western Sydney and Scotland, before finally settling down in another coastal city near Sydney, Newcastle.
“I’ve made it my home now. Just recently, I was lucky enough to buy an apartment here. So, I’m definitely trying to settle myself here. So, once I knew I was going to re-sign, I really started looking into it (buying his apartment), and then I eventually got it once I officially re-signed.”
Fellow Newcastle Jet Ryan Scott has also moved into the same apartment, where he helps Phil out in the kitchen, as well as offering up his life experience to the young centre-back.
“I’m not much of a cook, to be fair, but when I need help, I definitely ask Scotty because Scotty is actually a good cook, to be fair. I swear, every time I need help with anything, he knows. So, for instance, he makes unbelievable mashed potatoes. The other day, I was making gnocchi, and he was helping me out, his girlfriend helped me out. I’m more of a learner right now, Scotty’s more of the pro when it comes to cooking.”
“Scotty’s quite neat when it comes to just life. I swear, he knows how to do everything. I’m blessed to have him as my roommate. I’ve spoken to him about life and all that. He’s obviously had a job other than football. Well, for me, I’ve just had football. So, when it comes to the building skills, the cooking skills, you know, everything’s kind of been put on a platter for me, everything’s been nice. I’ve always had someone to do it for me while Scotty hasn’t.
Despite an injury-interrupted pre-season so far, Čančar is already looking forward to the season ahead, with two matches already circled on the calendar.
Tickets for Saturday’s match against Sydney FC can be purchased here
“I’d say playing Central Coast, yeah. I’m looking forward to just playing as many games as possible, personally, and doing well, but when it comes to specific games I’m looking forward to, the Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers, because that’s my old team.”
Phil has set some clear goals for himself and the team. For the team, he’s aiming to qualify for finals. Personally, he wants to perform to the best of his ability and push for a Socceroos spot.
“I want to make finals. I think everyone’s clear on that. We want to make finals. We obviously want to. Newcastle hasn’ t been in the finals for a few years. I think that’s where we deserve to be, I think this year, we’re a lot hungrier. But personally, I think my goal is to be a Socceroo. That’s my personal goal, to become a Socceroo. After seeing Stama (Apostolos Stamatelopoulos) do it, I don’t see why not. It gives me even more motivation to be able to do it.”
Phil’s journey has taken him from Wollongong to Croatia, Western Sydney, Scotland, and now Newcastle. At each of these stops, he has been regarded as a hard-working player who always gives 100% on the pitch, and that’s how he would like to be remembered at the end of his career.
“I want to be remembered as someone that gave it their all. Every session, every match. Yeah, someone that just gave it 100%. I’m just a small-town kid from Wollongong just living out their dream.
