South Melbourne FC was proud to welcome club legend Ted Smith back to Lakeside Stadium as a special guest at the 2023 Season Launch.
The 2023 season opening fixture featured Moreland City FC who are recently promoted to NPL Victoria and are returning to the top tier of Victorian football for the first time in 75 years. South Melbourne choose to recgonise Ted Smith as he represented both clubs.
Ted is a former Socceroo representing Australia at the 1956 Olympics. He then played for Moreland in 1957 before joining South Melbourne in 1961.
At South he played approximately fifty league matches, scored two goals and celebrated success winning the 1962 Victorian Soccer League Championships.
He has been inducted into the South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame and the Football Australia Hall of Fame.
Ted continues to contribute to the football community and has been a member of the Football Victoria Historical committee since 2007.
South Melbourne President Nicholas Maikousis said “It was fantastic to once again welcome Ted to Lakeside and recognise his contribution to the club over such a long time. He has celebrated success with South Melbourne and the 2023 season opener was the perfect opportunity to have him as our special guest given he also played for Moreland.”
Ted Smith walked the match ball out on to the pitch and joined the referees and captains of both teams for the coin toss.
South Melbourne FC defeated Moreland City 2-1 at Lakeside Stadium in the 2023 NPL Victoria season opener on Thursday 16 Feburary 2023.
Photos of Ted Smith at the 2023 Season Opener at Lakeside Stadium
