From the very beginning, the Macarthur FC story has been centred on building a club to faithfully represent a vibrant, growing region with a unique community spirit and energy.
When two separate bids, South-West Sydney FC and United for Macarthur, merged, it was for the good of the region and the good of the game. Both bid leaders recognised they were stronger together.
Backed by the local football associations, South West Sydney FC was the brainchild of local businessmen and football fanatics Gino Marra and Sam Krslovic, whose history in the game stretches back decades. Their concept was to bring together the National Premier League clubs and grassroots football to launch a bold bid for a Hyundai A-League licence.
United for Macarthur was a partnership between Campbelltown City Council and the Walker Corporation, who were eager to deliver both economic and social benefits to a region ready to capitalise on its potential.
After submitting separate expression of interest documents to Football Australia, the two bids merged to deliver a compelling final proposal that was ultimately irresistible to the sport’s governing body.
Community forums and surveys identified that community engagement, particularly with the young people of region, would be a critical success factor for the new club. This key principle drove the bid forward with a clear, united purpose.
In December 2018, FFA announced that South West Sydney would indeed have its own Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s club playing out of Campbelltown Stadium from 2020.
And so, thanks to the shared vision and drive of a group of passionate, tenacious people, Macarthur FC was created.
Since then, despite being a relatively young club, Macarthur FC has quickly asserted itself as a competitive force in Australian football. In its inaugural season, under the guidance of head coach Ante Milicic, the team secured a place in the A-League Finals Series. This accomplishment highlighted the club’s ability to perform at a high level and compete with established teams in the league.
In 2022, Macarthur FC had already etched its name in Australian football history by clinching the prestigious Australia Cup, marking a significant milestone in the club’s young yet impactful journey.
The crowning moment came on October 1st, 2022, where Macarthur FC faced off against Sydney United 58. The final whistle marked not only the culmination of months of hard work and dedication but also a celebration of the club’s growing legacy within Australian football.
Because of their historic Australia Cup victory, Macarthur FC would qualify in the 2023/24 Asian Football Confederation Cup (AFC Cup). The Bulls, alongside Central Coast Mariners, were the first Australian teams to ever play in the AFC Cup.
In 2024, The Bulls confidently progressed all the way to the Zonal Finals before falling short at home bringing our history making AFC Cup run to an end. However Macarthur FC continued their indefatigable form in the A-League finishing 5th, the highest in their short history.
Later that same year, Mile Sterjovski’s men made a statement by progressing the the final of the 2024 Australia Cup where they would play Melbourne Victory 800km from their home. In a dominant defensive effort the Bulls would come out on top and claim their second piece of club silverware, beating their opposition 1-0 at AAMI Park.
