South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that Championship Winner and Club Hall of Fame Member Mathew Theodore has stepped aside from football in 2017 due to increased work commitments.
Theodore joined the club in 2014 from Dandenong Thunder and immediately made an impact at Lakeside, helping the club win the inaugural NPL Championship and proving to be one of the more damaging attacking midfielders in the competition.
He continued this form in 2015, with the club winning the Dockerty Cup and the Premiers Plate, as well as qualifying for the FFA Cup Round of 32. Despite a difficult season due to injury and increased work-related activities, he would add to this in 2016, claiming his second Championship with South, following our Grand Final victory over Oakleigh Cannons.
We will remember Matty as not only a wonderful footballer, but a fantastic person around the club that will be missed throughout 2017.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, an emotional Theodore thanked the Blue and White Army for the support over the past three seasons. “It was quite a special three seasons for me and I’d like to thank everyone at the club for their support, including Senior Coach Chris Taylor who showed quite a bit of faith in me as a footballer. I am also thankful for the support by all the support staff, board and the passionate supporters who made it a pleasure to play each week for the club. I am going to miss being a part of it, but will be a supporter from the sidelines”
Senior Coach Chris Taylor spoke highly of Theodore. “Matty has been a crucial member of the squad and club for the past three seasons and we will miss him. Throughout my time as a coach it would be hard to find a better technical player at this level, and a more humble and likeable character. We’re certainly going to miss his ability on the park, but more so having him around the club as one of the nice guys of Victorian football.”
We’d love to thank Matty Theodore for his 72 matches in South colours, where he also managed to scored 12 crucial goals along the way.