Ex St Johnstone star's FFA Cup dreams

He was born in Perth, Scotland and is a St Johnstone favourite, but now Kevin Moon wants to make his mark in the Westfield FFA Cup with Perth, WA club ECU Joondalup.

Moon, 29, has moved to Perth in Western Australia to seek a fresh start in the PS4 National Premier Leagues. 

The midfielder joins former St Johnstone teammate Gordon Smith at Joondalup and is about to enter his first full-season with the club as he looks to rediscover his joy for the game. 

And Moon is already eyeing a Westfield FFA Cup run with the club that has been the breeding ground for a host of stars in the Hyundai A-League.

“Because we’re playing in the regional league the most we have to travel is about three hours, so that isn’t too bad,” Moon told the Scottish Sun newspaper.

“But we play in a cup competition [Westfield FFA Cup] as well and if we get through then we could end up anywhere playing against the A-League teams.

“That’s what we’re hoping for because it would be a great experience travelling across the country to play other teams from different regions.”

Kevin Moon. Pic courtesy of Peter Simcox.

As well as playing duties with Joondalup, Moon is also coaching the club’s U-11 side as he looks at completing his coaching badges.

“It’s really good, I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve decided it’s what I want to do when I finish playing,” said Moon of a career in management.

“Football is big in Australia now. They are focusing a lot on youth football and participation levels are really high.”

Moon, who joins former St Mirren and Perth Glory favourite Steven McGarry at ECU, played eight seasons with the St Johnstone before spending time at Alloa Athletic and then Raith Rovers.

But after leaving Raith in 2015, Moon was unable to find a contract and decided to take a year out of the game.

He says his decision to move to Australia has rekindled his love of the game.

“I really wasn’t enjoying it for a while, but being out made me realise how much I was missing it,” Moon admitted.

“I’m the fittest I’ve ever been in my life now. We played the other day in 36 degree heat, which was really hard going at first, but you get used to it after a while. I’m just glad to be playing again.

“It’s hard when you’re out, but thankfully I got this chance and I’ve been able to get back on track again.

Kevin Moon. Pic courtesy of Peter Simcox.

“It’s a great lifestyle here, it’s so much more chilled out and training in the sun makes a big difference. The standard is difficult to compare to back home because the game is far more technical here.

“We were challenging for the league last season and this year we’re hoping to give it a good crack. I think we’ll be there or thereabouts in the title race.”

*Pictures courtesy of Peter Simcox