Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:24 AM
By John Kyrou
South Melbourne FC regrets to confirm that 2012 captain Steven O’Dor has retired effective immediately due to increasing professional work commitments.
Steve played for South in the old National Youth League prior to 2004. The young centre-back was signed by John Anastasiadis as part of South’s first squad in the Victorian Premier League when the Club returned to state football in 2005. His debut match was in the opening round against Heidelberg United on Sunday 30 January 2005 in front of a crowd of nearly 12,000 at Lakeside Stadium. Along with goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis and fellow centre-back Arthur Tsonis, O’Dor was a key reason why South only conceded 17 goals during the home and away season, the lowest in the Premier League that year.
Steve only featured in 17 matches during 2006 and 2007 after going not only to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, but also to the A-League for a short stint. Ironically, Steve only featured in three games in 2006 and subsequently did not play in the victorious Grand Final side that defeated Altona Magic 1-0 on Sunday 24 September that year. After juggling playing for South and also being in Canberra with the AIS in 2007, Steve returned permanently to South in 2008 whilst also concentrating on finishing his Law studies. He was rewarded when he received the Theo Marmaras Medal for SMFC Player of the Year in 2008.
Steve made 23 appearances for South in both 2008 and 2009. He was recognised for his leadership capabilities when Michael Michalakopoulos appointed him vice-captain in the Club’s 50th year in 2009 and new coach Vaughan Coveny kept that status in 2010. Steve travelled to Singapore with the Club in 2010 for the Singapore Cup and featured in all three matches as South overcame Gombak United in the First Round before succumbing to Bangkok Glass FC over two legs in the Quarter Finals. In the Premier League that season, he chipped in with four goals including a brace against Altona Magic on Sunday 4 July at John Cain Reserve (a 3-1 win).
Eddie Krncevic appointed Steve as Captain of the Club in 2011, a position he has held until now. He scored three goals in his 19 appearances in 2011 including a well-placed header for the winning goal against the Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday 18 March (a 2-1 win). Unfortunately, increasing work commitments and injury restricted Steve to only 14 appearances in 2012. However he was still able to make an impact and will be remembered for his winning goal late in the game against Hume City at Epping Stadium on Friday 11 May (1-0 win). A heart-to-heart with coach Peter Tsolakis over the summer has resulted in Steve making a very mature decision to completely step aside as not only a player but as a captain. As a result, this will allow a younger player not burdened with as many work commitments to replace him in the squad.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said “its a sad day for the club to hear of the early retirement of Steve but we all admire his courage and professionalism in relinquishing not only the captaincy but his spot in the team due to increasing professional commitments. This underlines the strength of character and the measure of the individual who did not want to impact the club because he could not fully commit to this season. On behalf of everyone at South, I wish Steve all the very best for the future and have no doubt he’ll be supporting his team mates from the terraces”.
South Melbourne FC is saddened to hear of Steven O’Dor’s retirement from the game but is absolutely delighted in the professionalism that he has shown not only regarding this decision but also throughout his entire career at the Club. He joins a list of greats to have captained South throughout the Club’s 54 year history and will always be remembered as a key player in the most recent chapter of South’s history.
Steven O’Dor – South Melbourne FC Statistics
2005: 17 appearances (15 starts, 02 subs), 0 goals
2006: 03 appearances (03 starts, 00 subs), 0 goals
2007: 14 appearances (14 starts, 00 subs), 1 goal
2008: 23 appearances (23 starts, 00 subs), 0 goals
2009: 23 appearances (23 starts, 00 subs), 1 goal
2010: 22 appearances (22 starts, 00 subs), 4 goals
2011: 19 appearances (19 starts, 00 subs), 3 goals
2012: 14 appearances (13 starts, 01 subs), 2 goals
Total: 135 appearances (132 starts, 03 subs), 11 goals
Victorian Premier League
135 appearances (132 starts, 03 subs), 11 goals
Singapore Cup
3 appearances (03 starts, 00 subs), 0 goals
State Knockout Cup
1 appearance (01 start, 00 subs), 0 goals
Overall
139 appearances (136 starts, 03 subs), 11 goals
Achievements:
South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame Member
Squad member in SMFC’s 2006 Premier League Championship side
Member of SMFC’s 2007 & 2009 Hellenic Cup Championship sides
Captain of SMFC’s 2011 Hellenic Cup Championship side
Theo Marmaras Medalist (SMFC Player of the Year) 2008
Vice Captain 2009 & 2010
Captain 2011 & 2012