HOT OFFER! Save $30 per month for 6 months on selected nbn internet plans!...Use promo code MATE30 at checkout! Hurry, limited time only!

Your UNCHARTED host: Andy Bernal

The Round Ball, UNCHARTED | 2 August 2021

Part of The Round Ball podcast along with Matt Heterick and Daniel Severino, Andy’s hard-hitting analysis and views on the game will have listeners coming back for more.

Born in Canberra, Andy’s footballing talent stood out from a young age. At 17 he was at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and by 18 had become the youngest ever Olyroos Captain. He also earned 21 Socceroo caps over the course of his career.

Bernal became the first Aussie to sign with a Spanish La Liga team, Sporting Gijon, in 1985, playing La Liga giants Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Barcelona at Camp Nou, Valencia at Mestalla Stadium and Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderón Stadium.

A degenerative knee problem hampered Andy’s progression and would have ended most players careers, however, after countless operations leaving him with bone on bone in one knee, Andy would continue his footballing career.

After three years in Spain, Andy would end up at Nottingham Forrest, before joining Ipswich Town, where he encountered Visa issues. He eventually moved back to Australia.

Andy joined Sydney Olympic where he would play over 100 games and win a National Soccer League (NSL) title, before answering a call to return to England with Reading FC. Andy went on to play over 200 games for the Royals, before retiring in 2000.