South Melbourne FC is proud to host the Tony Clarke Memorial Shield prior to our final home and away match of the season against Northcote City this Sunday.
The Tony Clarke Memorial Shield is organised by the Victoria Police Soccer Club (VPSC) and the Blue Ribbon Foundation. It honours Senior Constable Tony Clarke, who was a playing member of VPSC but was sadly murdered whilst in the line of duty in April 2005. This year marks the tenth anniversary of his passing.
The annual match, where the ‘Copperoos’ take on a team of former Socceroos, will play as a curtain raiser to our final home game of the home and away season. The Socceroos team will contain a number of familiar faces, including Jimmy Rooney and former SMFC National League Championship players in Kimon Taliadoros, Ken Murphy, Fausto De Amicis and Goran Lozanovski.
Following the conclusion of the Tony Clarke Memorial Shield, SMFC will take on Northcote City for the inaugural Tony Clarke Memorial Cup. This is a new trophy that will be contested between SMFC and its final home and away opponent at Lakeside Stadium every season. The match has added significance due to the potential for SMFC to win the 2015 NPL Victoria Minor Premiership should it defeat Northcote City on Sunday.
The President of VPSC, Senior Sergeant Ron Sinclair, was delighted about SMFC hosting the event on Sunday. “We’re thrilled to play on Lakeside Stadium to honour our friend and team mate, Senior Constable Tony Clarke. The game means a lot to us and we’re hoping to put a few spectacular goals past a formidable Socceroo team.”
SMFC President Leo Athanasakis was also delighted to host the match. “We have seen the Copperoos play against the Socceroos in the past and it is always good-natured and fun. There is a seriousness to the game though and that is to raise awareness and honour for Senior Constable Tony Clarke, who sadly lost his life while doing his job. We look forward to welcoming VPSC and the former Socceroos to Lakeside Stadium on Sunday.”
The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation honours police offers who have made the ultimate sacrifice by providing funding for emergency facilities in public hospitals and remember lives by helping to save others.
Donations to the Blue Ribbon Foundation can be made at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday, where merchandise will be available, or on their website www.remember.org.au.
We urge all SMFC supporters to come to Lakeside early to show their support for what is truly a fantastic cause.
Match Details – Sunday 23 August at Lakeside Stadium:
Tony Clarke Memorial Shield
Victoria Police Soccer Club ‘Copperoos’ v Socceroos
Kick-off: 12:30pm
Tony Clarke Memorial Cup
South Melbourne FC v Northcote City FC
Kick-off: 3pm