Gary van Egmond

NSL Career: APIA, Blacktown, Footscray, Marconi, Wollongong Wolves 230 (10) / 1983 - 1996/97

Socceroos Career: 9 (0) A Internationals / 6 (0) B Internationals

A strong tackler who provided great service down either flank as an attacking full-back - Gary van Egmond became was one of the best full-backs in the NSL during the late 1980s and early 1990s after a slow start to his career and became third Australian footballer along with Graham Arnold to ply his trade in the Eredivisie.

A Manly junior, van Egmond later joined APIA where he made his first team debut in the NSL at the age of 18. Van Egmond's debut was his solitary appearance for the club in his first season before making just six league appearances during the 1984 season. The young defender moved across to Blacktown in the 1985 season but was again left frustrated, making just two appearances. Unable to establish himself in the NSL, van Egmond returned to his junior club Manly and became a regular in the side during the 1986 NSW Division One season. 

Van Egmond returned to the NSL in 1987 with Footscray where he began to establish himself, making 15 league appearances during the season. Van Egmond had a breakout season in 1988 despite Footscray's trend of inconsistency and made his full international debut during Australia's 1988 Seoul Olympics campaign. 

The defender spent another season at Footscray before the club was relegated to Victorian State League and joined Marconi for the 1989/90 season. The full-back became an important player for the side that finished minor premiers before starting in Marconi's losing grand final to Sydney Olympic. 

Following the 1989/90 season, van Egmond joined the growing list of Australian footballers to ply their trade overseas - joining Socceroos and Sydney Croatia striker Graham Arnold at Eredivisie side Roda JC. Van Egmond made ten league appearances for Roda, as well as an appearance in the second leg of Roda's first round UEFA Cup tie with French club Monaco as the club finished mid-table at the end of the 1990/91 Eredivisie season. 

Van Egmond returned to Marconi for the 1991/92 NSL season and played a key role in the side's NSL Cup campaign where they narrowly lost to Adelaide City in the final. Following a disappointing season for the club that saw them miss out on the finals series for the first time, Marconi returned to form the following season and finished second in the league.

Marconi progressed to the grand final following an eight-nil win on aggregate against South Melbourne in the major semi-final in which van Egmond was amongst the goal scorers. In a tight contest against Adelaide City, Marconi's Andy Harper converted a 53rd minute penalty to earn the club it's record-equalling fourth championship trophy. Despite his strong form for Marconi since returning from Europe, van Egmond was unable to get a Socceroos re-call but continued to perform over the next two seasons during an inconsistent period for the club. 

The experienced defender was part of the Marconi side that finished minor premiers in the 1995/96 season before playing in his third grand final where Marconi lost two-one to Melbourne Knights. Following the grand final loss, van Egmond moved to Wollongong Wolves where he spent his last season in the NSL before joining NSW Super League side Bonnyrigg White Eagles for the 1997 season.

 Van Egmond helped the side reach the grand final, losing three-one to Parramatta Eagles before joining Blacktown the following season. Van Egmond hung up his boots during the 1998 season at the age of 33 and began his senior coaching career with junior club Manly, where he made a few appearances during the 2001 NSW Winter Super League season and won the league. 

As a head coach, van Egmond had two stints at Newcastle Jets where he led the club to it's first (and only) A-League Championship and won the A-League Coach of the Year award. Van Egmond has gone on to have a number of coaching roles in the national team's youth set-up, as well as Matildas assistant coach where he coached his daughter Emily, who became the first Matilda to have a father who played for the Socceroos.