Author: George Kouroumalis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”19580″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]South Melbourne FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Athanasakis.

Peter was a familiar face within the SMFC family and his involvement with the club commenced back in the 1960s. Since then, he was a constant attendee of club matches and was a much loved member of our club.

Peter was the father of previous SMFC President Leo Athanasakis and the grandfather of SMFC junior players Peter and Pamela Athanasakis. It was not uncommon to see him in the change rooms post-match in the senior men’s fixtures, regardless of the result. He would also be there to support his grandchildren at their junior matches.

The club extends its deepest condolences to the Athanasakis family and Peter’s friends during this tough time.

We’re going to miss you Peter.

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South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that four-time championship winner Alex Cheal has re-joined the club for the 2020 season.

Cheal is a face that should be very familiar with the South Melbourne family, with the centre-back captaining the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Championship winning teams.

Her achievements as a South player also saw her recently inducted into the Hall of Fame in February 2020.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Coach Sam Young was thrilled to welcome Alex back into the club and to the squad. “Alex Cheal needs no introduction to South Melbourne FC fans. An unbelievable competitor whose leadership, passion and drive epitomise the best qualities of South Melbourne.  We are really pleased to have her on board for the season”

We’re excited to see Alex back in our colours for the 2020 season.

South Melbourne FC can confirm the signing of goalkeeper Pierce Clark for the 2020 NPL Victoria season.

Clark joins the club following a short stint in New Zealand with Tasman United in the ASB Premiership, however many would know him from his time in the NPL with Dandenong Thunder, Bentleigh Greens and Cairns FC.

Clark has also spent time abroad as a junior and in the Hyundai A-League system under Ernie Merrick at Newcastle.

Clark is a powerful and athletic goalkeeper, who is extremely confident in both the air and as a shot stopper.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was pleased to have Pierce join the club. “In a difficult season for Dandenong, Pierce was a standout performer in 2019 and was outstanding throughout the entire season. He is a strong keeper who is a brilliant shot stopper, so we are thrilled to add him to the squad as we look forward to 2020.”

Pierce will link up with the club in the first week of January as he returns from his time in New Zealand.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of Akeisha Sandhu for the 2020 season.

Sandhu joins the club following a highly successful season with Alamein, playing in 25 league matches and proving to be one of the better defenders in the league.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Coach Samuel Young was thrilled to have  Sandhu  on board. “Akeisha’s preference to be an attack-minded defender is something that gives us extra options going forward. Akeisha will also bring speed and flair down the right hand side.

She is a standout player in this competition, and I am delighted she has chosen SMFC. We look forward to helping her achieve her goals in 2020.”

Sandhu was also very excited to be joining the club. “I am pleased to be joining South Melbourne and look forward to playing at Lakeside Stadium in 2020 under Sam. I can’t wait to get started”

We wish Akeisha all the best in 2020.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm that Matthew Loutrakis and Giorgi Zarbos have been elevated to the senior squad for the 2020 NPL Victoria season from our Championship winning Under 20s side.

Loutrakis joined the club in the Under 12s, with the 19-year-old having a standout year in attacking midfield for the 20s side. A classy and composed midfielder, Loutrakis’ ability to create and score goals himself is something that South fans can look towards over the next few seasons.

He is joined by Under 20s skipper Giorgi Zarbos who has been elevated on the back of a superb season in defence for his side. As well as being a rock in the back half of the park, Zarbos has the ability to be dangerous at the set piece. His efforts saw him score 5 crucial goals as the team went on to win the league by 11 points.

Both players have been instrumental in the success of the Under 20s and are highly regarded by the club and their peers for their leadership skills off the park also.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was proud to see two of the club’s juniors elevated to the senior squad. “Both Matthew and Giorgi have come through the youth program at South Melbourne and we are very pleased to see them given an opportunity to join the senior squad. Both players are extremely talented, and we see them as long term prospects at our club, so they will continue to work hard under Esteban this season as they aim to play senior football.”

We welcome both players to the senior squad and look forward to seeing their progress throughout the season.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm that former junior Josh Meaker will return back to Lakeside Stadium for the 2020 season.

Meaker is a name that should be familiar to those at the club, playing numerous seasons as a club junior before being elevated through the Under 20s to the Senior Squad in 2014 as part of the inaugural year of the NPL.

In the past few seasons, the versatile midfielder has spent time in Spain before returning home to play for the Bentleigh Greens. Over the past two seasons, he has played in over 25 matches for the Greens including the Semi Final of both the league and FFA Cup in 2018.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was excited to see another junior player return home. “Josh had a fantastic spell in our junior system which saw him progress all the way through to the senior squad and then overseas. He’s a versatile player who can play in many roles throughout midfield and we are excited to add him to our squad for the upcoming season.”

Meaker was also thrilled to be returning home “I’ve spent quite a few seasons at the club as both a junior and then senior, so it feels like a homecoming. Having been part of Bentleigh over the past few seasons and in our 2014 squad at South prior, I understand what it takes to be successful and I will be working my hardest to try and assist in bringing trophies back to Lakeside.”

South Melbourne welcomes Josh back to the club and looks forward to him joining in pre-season in December.

South Melbourne FC is pleased to confirm that former SMFC Championship Winner Chris Irwin will return to the club for the 2020 season.

Irwin returns to the club where he played a large portion of his junior football, spending three seasons with the club in his youth career before re-joining the club from Avondale as a 20-year-old in 2015.

In his 18 month as part of the senior team in 2015 and 2016, South fans would remember Irwin for his natural flair and pace with an ability to pass defenders with ease. He had an important 2016 finals series, coming off the bench in both the Semi Final win over Heidelberg and Grand Final with Oakleigh to have an impact in our two biggest wins of the season.

While at Kingston, he has further enhanced his game to be comfortable in any position across the attacking third, including just behind the strikers and in his natural spot as a winger. It was with such form that he was awarded the 2019 Best and Fairest at Kingston.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was excited to welcome back Irwin. “We know exactly what we are getting with Chris, a fast attacking player but also a fantastic person and leader that we will have around the club. Since leaving the club in 2017, he has further enhanced his game at Kingston and with the squad taking shape we are pleased to add someone with the quality, experience and drive to our group.”

Irwin was overjoyed to be returning back to a place that was so familiar to him. “It’s great to be returning to a place that I have spent so much of my football career at to date. Not only do I have fond memories of being part of the 2016 championship win, but I remember playing for many years as a junior and being a fan of the club. It’s a very exciting period and the squad is looking strong, so I cannot wait to be a part of it as we aim for a trophy winning season.”

We wish Chris all the best and hope his second stint with the club is as successful as his first.

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the signing of former player and talented right-back Amadu Koroma for the 2020 NPL Victoria season.

Amadu returns to the club following a fantastic two year stint with Port Melbourne, where he established himself as a consistent performer across the back four. His form saw him finish in the top three of the Port Melbourne Best and Fairest at the conclusion of the season and a key member of the club’s leadership group.

South fans would remember Amadu as being a composed and tough defender, as well as having strength and speed whilst attacking down the right-hand flank. He was a key contributor in the 2016 season with the club, a year where the club won the NPL Victoria Championship.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Football Director Andrew Mesourouni was pleased to have Amadu back at the club. “Amadu is a hard-working, disciplined and composed defender who will add experience and strength to our back four. His ability to create while going forward will also be an asset to the right side of the park, while his versatility to play in numerous positions and roles is something that excites us.”

Amadu was also thrilled being back. “I have some fantastic memories of this club and I am so happy to be a South Melbourne player again. “I was part of a fantastic squad previously that went on to win the championship and I want to give everything for the club and the fans to ensure we taste success once again. Thank you to Esteban and Andrew for making my return a dream come true.”

We would like to wish Amadu Koroma the best for the 2020 season.

South Melbourne FC can announce the signing of attacking midfielder Lucy Johnson for the 2020 NPLW Victoria season.

Johnson joins following a standout year with fellow NPLW side Alamein, scoring 12 goals in 28 games from midfield.

Originally from Tasmania, the 21-year-old won three consecutive golden boot award in the league, including netting 38 goals during the 2017 Super league season.

With senior experience across NTC, Hobart Olympia and the Hobart Zebras, we are looking forward to her taking her game to a new level in 2020.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC Head Coach Samuel Young was thrilled with the acquisition. “I’m delighted to welcome Lucy to South Melbourne FC. It’s another significant signing for us as a club and it’s going to really help where we want to be. She has great energy, intensity and technical ability and it’s those attributes that will bring so much to the team.

We are thrilled to have Lucy join our club and we look forward to seeing her play in midfield or anywhere in the front third.”

Johnson was equally excited to be joining the club. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about Sam as a coach and I look forward to developing as a player under his guidance. I’m excited for the new challenge ahead of me and to see what next season brings.”