DESPITE the name, the new Western Sydney A-league team did not just wander into town.
Granted, the decision to expel Gold Coast United forced Football Federation Australia into a undesirable predicament — have a weakened nine team 2012/2013 season or rush a 10th team into the competition.
Fortunately, commonsense prevailed, and the Western Sydney Wanderers FC were inducted into the A-league.
At the naming of the team and their colours, three players were announced as key signings — young guns Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, Aaron Mooy and veteran A-league player Tarek Elrich.
Their signatures showed the FFA intentions to concentrate on recruiting fans through grassroots football.
And why not?
There are an estimated 120,000 registered players in western Sydney.
Appiah-Kubi was a prolific goal scorer for Parramatta FC in the NSW Premier League this season and Mooy returns to his home town of Quakers Hill after spending years in Scotland.
But Elrich, 25, in particular, was a perfect fit for the red, black and white.
"I grew up in the western Sydney area, was born in Westmead [Hospital], grew up in Auburn and now I'm living in Merrylands with my family," he said. "I came through the ranks and played with the Parramatta Eagles growing up.
"It's a great honour playing for my side of Sydney, the western Sydney area and we are representing a big, big community."
After learning his trade around the Parramatta area, Elrich is hoping the club and himself will give back to the community that nurtured his talent.
"In the western Sydney area there are a lot of local teams and they need players and idols to look up to and that is what I think this club is going to offer," he said.
"It's going to be very multicultural and we are going to have a lot of races in the club and that is what western Sydney is all about.