For years the midfielder and his brother Glen have run a football school in the suburbs and his long struggle to land a professional contract has struck a chord with many of his young charges.

The 24-year-old got his first start of the season against Perth Glory on Sunday but was substituted at half time in a tactical reshuffle following Youssouf Hersi’s sending off.

Next up is Melbourne Victory on Friday and Trifiro can expect some pint-sized support from the Parramatta stands if coach Tony Popovic hands the former Joey just his third game for the red and blacks.

“There’s always a little bunch that are close friends – so they’re always coming around and having a watch and after the game having a quick little chat and shaking my hand,” Trifiro said.

“There’s quite of a few them that follow the A-League and like watching their coach, I guess.”

It’s much more than that. Earlier in the year au.fourfourtwo.com spoke to a couple of 12-year-olds from Marconi Stallions about the arrival of Sydney FC marquee Alessandro Del Piero.

Yes it was exciting, they said, but what about the signing of their “holiday coach” and former Marconi player, Trifiro? they asked. 

The man himself may have wished for an easier path but there’s no doubt his hard yards have inspired others.

Technically-gifted, Trifiro impressed national selectors as a teenager before somehow falling through the cracks, spending years drifting in the state leagues.

His breakthrough came when he moved to Victoria with his brother and won the Victoria Premier League gold medal in 2011. The next season he left Northcote City for South Melbourne before getting a trial with the Wanderers.

You don’t have to tell him it’s all been a long time in coming.

“I’ve been chasing to play professional football my whole life it seems – ever since I started playing that’s what I wanted to do,” he said.

“There were probably a few doubts I’d make it but I always knew I was going to keep playing not matter what happened because first and foremost I love the game.

“For me being a professional footballer is about being fulltime. Training every day, being looked after like a footballer.

“Obviously that’s not what I’m used to because in the state league you’re still coming from a full day’s work and then going into training at night.

“Now I get to say ‘I’m a footballer' which is what I’ve been working towards for a long time.”

After last weekend’s bruising contest, Wanderers will have to find a way past a Victory outfit starting to hit their straps. Another win and the A-League new boys could find themselves edging towards the top of the table – not bad for a side that took four rounds to find the back of the net.

“It’s definitely a big game,” Trifiro said. “(Victory) are starting to play some good football and they’re getting a few results here and there even though they did draw on the weekend.

“I think they’re becoming more confident now and when everyone’s on song, they play some really good stuff.

“It won’t be an easy game for us but the positive is that we’ll be at home and we’re coming off a win too so we’ll go into the game with a lot of confidence as well.”

Trifiro has one season to prove his worth. He will be hoping for another start and you can bet there will be plenty of young supporters with their fingers crossed.

“I get kids coming to me all the time saying they’re not making teams and they’re quite technical players,” he said.

“Now I’ve finally got myself in a professional set up I definitely use that as an example to say keep working and just keep improving.

“I tell them one day you’ll get your chance if you stay in the game and do the right things.”