Friday, 1 August 2008 3:20 PM
By George Kouroumalis
South Melbourne FC regrets to announce the retirement of club captain, championship winner and inspirational leader Dean Anastasiaidis.
Dean will leave the game and in particular the club being regarded as one of the best goalkeepers seen over the past decade, at VPL and NSL level. He was also given the honour of representing his country as a Socceroo in 2002.
Anastasiadis began his South career in the 1992/93 NSL season after impressing many football pundits with his outstanding goalkeeping performances in the Victorian Premier League competition. At the time, his glove work with Fawkner was considered to be the best in the state and he was subsequently selected to join the South Melbourne side.
With limited first team opportunities, Anastasiadis moved away from the club at the end of 1995/96 season, joining the newly formed Collingwood Warriors. As the years progressed he would also represent the Carlton Soccer Club and the Woolongong Wolves in the NSL, where he was able to play a prominent role against South to capture the 2000/01 NSL crown in a memorable Grand Final.
At the beginning of the 2002/03 season, “Deano” returned home to join the strong South Melbourne squad in the NSL. Since that day, he has played an inspirational role in the clubs fortunes both on and off the field, re-establishing himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in the state and playing a major role in the resurrgence of the club when it returned to the State Leagues.
This was showcased by being the captain of the 2006 championship team, which resulted in lifting the VPL Champions trophy along with his brother, coach and fellow club legend John Anastasiadis. On top of this honour, Dean was also the clear winner of the “Goalkeeper of the Year” honours in both 2005 and 2006.
In an opportunity to farewell the SMFC family, Anastasiadis will be selected as first choice goalkeeper for the final two home games of the Foxtel Cup season, starting this week against Altona Magic.
All fans are urged to come to Bob Jane Stadium to show their support this great club legend, who will be looking to finish his celebrated career on a high in front of a vocal and passionate home crowd.
Dean Anastasiadis Statistics
DOB: 6th June 1970
Position: Goalkeeper
Seasons at Club: 10 (1992/93 – 1995/96 & 2002/03 – 2008)
SMFC Statistics:
1992/93 (NSL): 22 games, 0 goals
1993/94 (NSL): 27 games, 0 goals
1994/95 (NSL): 11 games, 0 goals
1995/96 (NSL): 15 games, 0 goals
2002/03 (NSL): 9 games, 0 goals
2003/04 (NSL): 0 games, 0 goals
2005 (VPL): 28 games, 0 goals
2006 (VPL): 28 games, 0 goals
2007 (VPL): 4 games, 0 goals
2008 (VPL): 12 games, 0 goals
Total: 156 games (84 NSL, 72 VPL), 0 goals