White keeps faith in success
BRENDAN White was emptying a bin while working as a cleaner in Melbourne when the Gold Coast junior got the phone call that has put him on the cusp of an A-League debut.
On the other end of the line was Brisbane Roar goalkeeping coach Jason Kearton who confirmed White, 25, had earned his first professional ALeague contract for the 2017-18 season in September.
“It’s a dream come true,” White said of the mature-age rookie deal.
“I made the decision I wanted to be a professional player when I was like 15.
“I have worked this whole time for this contract. All the hard work has paid off and I’m loving it.”
It comes nearly six years after White had his ticket to the national competition ripped up when Gold Coast United folded in early 2012 while he was playing for the youth team as a 19-year-old.
“It was a bit disheartening but that’s the way football is,” White said.
“It can change in 24 hours and it did down there. It was disappointing. You think that you are in a good spot and it’s gone. Then you have to start going back to work.”
White had a short stint at Brisbane as an injury replacement in 2013 and spent time playing for Logan FC, Redlands and then Port Melbourne in the NPL this year as he waited for another opportunity to come up in the specialist position.
The Redlands product was invited to train and trial during Brisbane’s preseason and was working at the DFO in Melbourne as a cleaner when Kearton called to welcome him to the side.
“I was emptying bins or something,” White said.
White will now return to Gold Coast United’s former home ground of Cbus Super Stadium for Brisbane’s Round 10 game against Wellington Phoenix today.
A finger injury to Roar’s no. 1 keeper Michael Theo means White will start on the bench for today’s game with Jamie Young set to stand between the posts.
White said he would be ready to make his A-League debut should he be called upon.
“That’s the life of a goalkeeper,” White said.
“It’s about being patient and doing everything you can do in your control to make yourself prepared for the game and training. A red card or injury and you’re on. You always have to be ready.”