The boxes were pushed aside as he found an old pair of boots in the back corner of the garage. He gave them a simple wipe down with his hands, leaving his palm with a shade of grey from the dust that had called the laces home for the last couple of years. His then three-year-old son watched with baited breath, as he lent down ever so slowly to place them into his hands. This was the moment George Timotheous’ football career began. Although young at the time, the boy from Canberra right there and then, fell deeply in love with the game. It is an affair worth noting, because he has just become Sydney FC’s ‘Young Blood.’

Born in Gungahlin, Canberra, during the year 1997, George began his football career when his father, a keen footballer himself, took him down the road hand in hand to sign him up at local side Gungahlin United.

“I can still remember most of it. Dad took me down and I started off as a ‘Pee Wee’ playing on a field no bigger than an 18-yard box. Dad was the coach at the time and funnily enough, I scored an own goal in my first ever game!” For the next ten years, George would play all over the park for his local side, as well as training with the Capital Football Academy from the age of nine. George admits he wasn’t an unbelievable player by any means, however, he did show signs of potential. It was just up to him and whether he chose to act on it.

Entering his teenage years as a tall, strapping thirteen-year-old, George gained selection into Canberra Olympic who compete in the National Premier League. He also represented the state side. During this time, George played in the middle of the park, and at just 13 and 14, was seeing plenty of game time in the u16’s and u18’s sides. The large age gap would only benefit George as he would come to get used to competing with boys much bigger than himself. After his time with Canberra Olympic, George moved over to the ACTAS state program on a full time basis where he would compete regularly against 19-year-olds.

“This was a big step for me. It was at this time that I moved to centre back. My coach, Mil Ivanovic was the one who encouraged my move further back on the park and was the first person to really instil a sense of belief within myself. He made me believe that I could one day play professionally. He was a hard coach but one that when I look back was extremely influential in my development.”

During his second season within the ACTAS state setup, Mil moved on and made way for Warren Greeve. Warren was another coach who saw something special in George. It was at this time that the state side was preparing for the ‘Institute Challenge'. A competition that sees every state side from around the country travel to the nations capital to compete against each other in search of selection for the Australian Institute of Sport. Warren believed George had the potential to make the side and elected him captain. ACTAS were runaway champions with George awarded the player of tournament. With that came a spot within the Australian Institute of Sport. It was a huge turning point.

“Being selected for the AIS was a big thing for me. When I was a kid, my dad would take me down to watch them play and I remember thinking how special it would be, to be apart of the best youth set up this country has to offer, so to actually do it was something special. It happened so quickly and head coach, Paul Okon really changed things for me. He instilled a belief in me that I didn’t have before. I really did go to another level.”

George who was fifteen when he first signed to the AIS and was a starter within a squad that features many current A-League players which included Australian left-back, Alex Gersbach.

“Yeah, looking back I’m pretty proud to say I’ve played with some players that are really pushing on and I think it was our time at the AIS that put us in good stead. Everything was just so professional. From our training sessions to our recovery as well as things such as our diet plans. They really did give us their full attention and I for one know It has benefited me immensely. In saying that the amount of good players within the squad really kept me on my toes. I wasn’t assured of a starting position every week so I had to perform week in week out.”

With that in mind, George continued to work hard and  during his second year at the AIS, he and his teammates were offered to spend a month with an A-League club of their choice.

“So we each had a meeting with Paul Okon and were given a list of nominated clubs from which we had to choose one. To be honest I thought no one really knew about me. That was until I sat down with Paul and he told me Melbourne Victory wanted me to come down. My first thoughts were just “Wow.” Ange (Socceroos coach) was the coach at the time so to think he knew about me was something pretty special.” So, as it was to be, George, aged sixteen at the time, headed down to Melbourne where he would spend a month rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in the league. “Yeah me and Archie (Thompson), used to go for coffee’s after training. It was crazy. I was sixteen!” Over the month that was, George was training not in the youth-team, but the clubs first grade side. His knowledge of the game grew exponentially under the guidance of Ange, who wished to sit down with George before he headed back to the AIS. “He sat me down and told me he wanted me to come back down soon with a contract being a serious possibility. This was another indicator that I can’t give up. I have the belief of one of the best coaches in the country, I need to keep pushing.”

Unfortunately for George however, a week after heading back to Canberra, Ange was appointed as head coach for the Socceroos. George felt as if he had missed out on a golden opportunity to be taken in by a great coach. He was informed by Melbourne that the offer was still on the table, however, George needed to weigh up his options. It was a game in Sydney against Manly United for the Young Socceroos that would give George the time to do so.

“The game itself was fine I didn’t put a foot wrong and was pretty happy with how I played. It wasn’t until I received a call the next day from the then Sydney FC youth coach and club legend Steve Corica. He said he saw me play for the Young Socceroos and wanted me to come over to Sydney to be apart of their youth side. I remember being really humbled by that because growing up I was a supporter of Sydney and Steve, as we all know, scored ‘that’ goal in the Grand Final of the first season, so to have him want me made it a really easy decision in the end.”

A month later, George packed his things and headed three hours north of the Harbour City. Regardless of how far, moving away from home at the age of sixteen is a big thing. George lived by himself within the Macquarie University campus due to its proximity to Sydney’s training facilities.

“Yeah it was tough. I was a lot younger then and living by yourself is a big thing. In saying that I received a lot of support from the players at the club, most notably Nicky Carle who became a second dad to me, I really do owe him a lot.” Well what a crazy first few couple of months it was. Head coach Graham Arnold insisted on having George and his sweet left foot as a member of the first grade squad for preseason. Donned the baby of the group, George more than held his own which earned him his first start for the club against none other than West Ham United, in a preseason friendly. “Those first few months were so full on. I didn’t expect to be in around the first team as much as I was but in saying that I grew a lot as a footballer. Players like Matt Jurman taught me a few things that helped my game.”

After preseason, George headed back to the youth side, where under Steve Corica, he would come to hold down a starting spot throughout the seasons entirety. At seasons end the seventeen-year-old was told by club and country he needed to keep playing and was sent to Blacktown City FC who are the current under-20s National Premier League Champions. George entered the toughest period of his football to date where he almost lost it all.

It was during a season game for Blacktown’s under-20’s, when George grazed his leg on the field during a collision with his goalkeeper. He thought nothing of it, carried on and then backed up for the first team straight after. He waited until after the match to get it cleaned and sanitised. He headed back to Canberra to see his family. The next morning George woke up to find his knee swollen to the point where he couldn’t walk. He headed straight to hospital where they feared he may have torn his ACL in his knee. Upon further testing doctors discovered something much worse had occured. He was diagnosed with golden staph in his knee.

“It was honestly a really scary thing to come to terms with. I was this young happy kid who had been dealt a major blow. The doctors informed that if I didn’t come in when I did, there was a good chance it could have been fatal. It killed me mentally. I had Paul Okon calling me for Young Socceroos duty as we were due to play both Mexico and Brazil, two games I was really excited for.”

George started the four-month journey back to full health. He was bed-ridden for most of that time and had to learn to walk again.

“I was close to throwing it all in. I was angry at the game and myself. People ask me where it turned around and don’t really know. I think I just came to the conclusion that I still had too much to left in me and if I walked away I’d regret it for the rest of my life. It actually became a massive positive for because it changed my approach to the game.” It was this approach that saw George take his recovery to a whole other level. “I was up early and going to bed late. I did everything I had to do and some more. I learnt all about the idea of doing ‘extras’."

After a long hard and four months, George returned to football for Blacktown and the Young Socceroos on the brink of his eighteenth birthday.

“What a feeling it was," he said. Getting back on the pitch was a massive thing for me. I discovered a whole new appreciation for the game and got back to loving it again. I helped play a part in Blacktown’s 17 game unbeaten run that saw them claim the NPL title.” From here, George headed back to Sydney for the upcoming youth league season under new head coach, Rob Stanton. In outstanding season, George was looked upon as one of the senior players as the team went on to win the National Youth League, beating Adelaide United comfortably in game that was broadcasted nationally on Fox Sports. Along with this, George represented the Young Socceroos for his first full cap against Laos in a World Cup Qualifier. “It was great season of football. Probably my best to date. To do what we did in the league and to go and represent my country overseas is something I’m really proud of. It was a long, hard road back but if I had to do it all again I would, because I now know the benefits of it all.”

Sydney FC’s youth set up competed in NSW NPL 2 for the season culminating this weekend when Sydney play Western Sydney Wanderers. George was a constant presence in a side that wrapped up the minor premiership that clinched promotion in the process.

A few weeks ago George realised a childhood dream when he sat down with head coach Graham Arnold who offered him a two-year professional contract with the club.

“I still smile every single time I think about it now. It’s a fantastic feeling but I know it doesn’t guarantee anything. I still have a lot of work ahead of me and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in once I get back from Asia with the Young Socceroos.”

I’m almost certain growing up George’s father knew his son was going to be okay at football when he handed him an old pair of dusty boots, but I’m not certain he knew he would be where he is today. It has been a long and hard slog. Only days after signing his professional contract, I was able to sit and chat with George. Of all the footballers I have written about, none spoke as long as George did. Speaking of his trials and tribulations, I could see the desire in his eyes.

He is hell bent on getting where he wants to go and it is evident from past experiences that he won’t let anything get in the way. When I ask the 19-year-old what has set him apart from others he said:

“It’s all about doing that little bit more. I have played with some players who were leaps and bounds above in talent but didn’t want to work hard for it. I can remember the amount of times I have come to training early and been the last one to leave. I guess it comes down to how bad you want it. I know I’m young but in saying that I know I deserve everything good that has happened to me because I’ve been willing to work for it. Along with that I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my family and girlfriend. They are the ones who pick me up when I’m down and I’m very grateful for that. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me at the club, I just can’t wait to get stuck in.”

He is the newest member of Sydney FC at the age of nineteen.

He is their Young Blood.

His name is George Timotheou.

Watch him rise.

Peace.