Joe Lolley is not your typical footballer. He doesn’t fit the mould of today’s social media-driven stars who pay too much attention to their online image.
He doesn’t chase headlines or fall into the endless cycle of football cliches. Instead, he has carved out a career and life that truly makes him happy.
The English winger is thriving at Sydney FC. He is enjoying life in Australia and appreciating football in a way that feels fresh and rewarding.
While Sydney are struggling to get into the A-League top six this season, they have established themselves as serious contenders in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2).
The Sky Blues punched their ticket to the last four with a 5-2 aggregate win against South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, setting up a semi-final date with Singapore’s Lion City Sailors.
Sydney’s historic run to the ACL2 semi-finals has sparked a wave of excitement among Aussie bettors and betting platforms in Australia are expecting massive surge in activity ahead of the showdown.
The team’s fighting spirit has made them a fascinating prospect for bettors, and new bookmakers in Australia will be inundated with wagers on the last four tie.
Having made it this far, Aussie punters will be hoping Lolley and his teammates continue to defy the odds and go all the way in the continental competition.
A Dream That Became Reality
Lolley sat in the Ruddington Arms – a pub in Nottingham – reflecting on his career in 2020.
When asked where he saw himself in 10 years, Lolley said that he wanted to live overseas in warm weather, learn a new language and play outdoors with the kids every day.
Fast forward five years, and while Australia might not have been part of the original plan, it fits the vision perfectly.
Lolley joined Sydney FC on a free transfer in 2022 – a move that was in many ways an escape following his acrimonious exit from Nottingham Forest.
The Redditch-born forward fell out with then-Forest head coach Steve Cooper just months after the club secured a historic promotion to the Premier League.
Rather than fight for a move in England, Lolley took the bold step of embarking on a new adventure in Australia, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of his career.
For a player who spent years grinding through the harsh English football schedule, the more relaxed but still competitive nature of the A-League has given him a fresh perspective.
Lolley’s performances for Sydney show he still has plenty to offer despite heading into the twilight of his career. He renewed his contract with the club last year until 2026.
He had his first taste of silverware when he bagged the Australia Cup in 2023 and has also been awarded the prestigious Mark Viduka medal.
Lolley Still Watches Forest from Afar
Despite being on the other side of the world, Lolley still has a soft spot for Forest.
He had his best years in English football with the Tricky Trees, including securing promotion to the Premier League, even if he was denied a chance to play top-flight football.
Lolley was part of the 2021/22 squad that made history after the club had spent more than two decades in the wilderness.
While he featured just 27 times in the Championship and had only one assist to show for it, the English winger was still considered a fan favourite.
He is fully settled in Australia, but Lolley still keeps in touch with what’s happening with Forest and is delighted to see the club on the cusp of clinching Champions League football.
However, his main focus now will be helping Sydney FC etch their name into the record books by winning the ACL2 title this season.
