The former skipper’s 50th and final Hyundai A-League appearance for Sydney FC did not yield the victory he desperately wanted but it didn’t dampen the farewell reception.

His teammates embraced him at the final whistle with The Cove bellowing its appreciation to the defender, despite a disappointing 4-2 defeat by bottom club Perth Glory.

Rudan came desperately close to scoring in his final outing, clipping the top of the crossbar with a header but it just wasn’t to be.

The skipper for the evening said: “I didn’t expect it to be that loud and vocal. It’s been two-and-half to three great years here. To get that sort of emotion at the end is something that will be with me for a long time.”

Coach John Kosmina was also hugely impressed by the reaction to Rudan’s final game. He said: “I thought it was sensational.

"Rudes has been an institution at Sydney FC from day one. He’s shown the sort of character you need to be successful in this game.

"He’s been a club man through and through, something that’s not as common as it used to be. He gets a send off like that which means the respect of the supporters and the players.

“If Mark didn’t go now the deal wouldn’t have happened, end of story. I wouldn’t stand in the way of Mark bettering himself in terms of his career.

"It’s a great opportunity for him in what is the twilight of his career. It’s what you do, you reward loyalty and Mark has been rewarded for his loyalty to this football club.”

So is it goodbye and farewell from Rudan as far as the A-League goes? He said: “I’m one that thinks you can never plan too far ahead in football.

"I’d like to give something back to the game in some capacity, whether that is as a player or whatever, I don’t know.”