Gallagher looking to forge ahead with Manly United…
SAM Gallagher was given a brutal re-introduction to life as a Manly United player last Sunday, coming off the bench in the 4-0 defeat versus Rockdale.
Given he was on Newcastle’s books in their recent tumultuous season in the A-League, the 24-year-old can handle bleak times.
“It was well publicised what was going on at the Jets,” Gallagher said this week.
“I won’t lie, it was hard to focus on football when things were being played out in the media constantly.
“On a football front, I was happy with how I played, I was involved in 19 games out of a possible 27.”
You would think those statistics would have warranted a contract extension in the Hunter region.
Wrong.
Gallagher was shown the door by the battling club, but isn’t bitter.
“That’s football, there is no point holding a grudge,” he said.
“Before that I was playing football in Vietnam and Norway, so it has been some journey the past few years.”
Gallagher was a stand out in his early teens, and was soon snapped up by NSWIS.
He then came to Manly United aged 18 before Sydney FC came calling.
“I played in their youth side before getting a senior gig with Melbourne Victory in 2012,” he said.
“That was unbelievable, but as you can imagine, it was pretty hard to break into the first team.
“My focus now is getting games under my belt with Manly.”
As for the future, Gallagher remains undecided.
“Asia is an option, but for the time being I am happy to be home,” he said.
“I haven’t been in Sydney for an extended time since my school days, so I will re-assess the situation when the time is right.”
Gallagher is also good mates with Brad McDonald and Chris Payne, and believes he will develop under coach Paul Dee.
“I like his football philosophy,” he said.
“Having the boys around helps as well, hopefully I can take my opportunities and finish off the year well with Manly United.”