Article: Nathanael Merchant
Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography

Ever since he was five-years-old, Daniel Fulton was destined to play football. Playing every Saturday morning in the freezing cold for Tuggeranong United at a junior level, he impressed at a young age, grabbing the eye of scouts.

But his career took a different turn when he was 13-years-old, as Fulton pulled out of football to pursue his passion for futsal.

"I was just really enjoying my futsal and I wanted to fully concentrate on it," he said.

His journey took off when, after college, he signed with Campbelltown City Quake in Sydney, before he was given the opportunity of a lifetime to head to Spain for development on his game, training with some of the best players around the world. After gaining experience overseas, the Futsalroos head coach Scott Gilligan organized Fulton to spend a season in Brazil, the hub of futsal.

“That was a pretty phenomenal experience, just to live futsal,” Fulton said. "The club looked after all my accommodation and all my meals, so I legit just got to train. It was phenomenal to just live as a professional athlete."

In 2009, Fulton began competing in tournaments around the world for both country and club. For five years, Fulton was a part of the Futsalroos squad, with one of his favourite memories being in the squad alongside Tom Rogic and Ange Konstantinou.

Fulton retired from international competition in 2018, the decision came after wanting to be there for his family in a larger manner.

“It gets very hard with a family, job, and traveling to Sydney two-three times a week to train," he said. "It just gets too much."

After retirement, Fulton began playing state league as he loved the game too much just to walk away from it. The choice of which club was easy for Fulton, who wanted to return to where it all began and lace up for the United once again.

"I went back to Tuggeranong because they had done so much for me in the early stages of my career and now my kids are playing with Tuggeranong," he said. "It was a nice bookend. Each of my chapters had started and ended with Tuggeranong so when Mitch Stevens approached me about NPL1 last season, I agreed.

"I spent the majority of last season getting fit again but this season has been much better. As a 31-year-old, it has been really nice to play a different role and support my younger teammates who are 16 or 17-years-old and share with them my experience. I have really enjoyed that."

Tuggeranong United coach Mitch Stevens praised Fulton for the experience he brings to the club both on and off the pitch.

“He has such a level head and is a really positive guy,” Stevens said. “He is so down to earth and that is one of the best things off the pitch. His ability to hold the ball up under pressure and if a defender gives too much space he spins, he turns and he is away.

"He gives us something not a lot of other teams have. He’s the perfect teammate.”

Fulton has found his way back to his football home and he couldn’t be happier with the direction of the team and excited for what’s to come for Tuggeranong United.

“I want to be around next season and continue that momentum that Mitch is creating in Tuggeranong with the group of players that he has,” Fulton said. “I’m excited about the rest of this season and next season.”

Fulton loves the game too much to walk away, which makes it all the sweeter to be playing with the club that started it all for him.