The 2023 NPL Victoria Men’s Round 17 fixture between South Melbourne FC and Dandenong Thunder at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday 11 June 2023 was abandoned.

Match Officials determined there was insufficient lighting to continue the match. The fixture was abandoned at the end of the half-time break, prior to the second half kicking off.

South Melbourne FC is a hirer of Lakeside Stadium for NPL Victoria matches. Lakeside Stadium is operated by Melbourne Sports Centres. Melbourne Sports Centres has the exclusive control and management of stadium operations, including the stadium lighting.

Melbourne Sports Centres staff worked from shortly after the 4.03pm first half kick off to rectify the technical difficulties they were experiencing with their computers which control the lighting system. At 5.08pm the referees returned to the pitch for the second half and made the decision to delay the restart to allow stadium staff to resolve the lighting issue. Melbourne Sports Centres staff ultimately made the decision to manually activate each of the four lighting towers with the first tower coming on at 5.17pm and the fourth tower coming on at 5.28pm. At 5.30pm the referees made the decision to abandon the fixture. At 5.38pm the lighting towers reached their maximum available output.

As the match had not reached the 80% mark (72nd minute), the match result could not be declared. NPL Victoria regulations provide Football Victoria the discretion to determine the next steps including the method of replaying this fixture. These options include replaying the fixture in full, or replaying the fixture from the point when it was abandoned.

NPL Victoria has a dedicated catch-up round scheduled for the weekend of the 5th and 6th of August. The club will now await further guidance from Football Victoria for the replay of this fixture and will provide updates as information is available.

South Melbourne FC apologises to all members, supporters and spectators of this fixture for the inconvenience experienced by the failure of the lighting system at Lakeside Stadium.

Update 3.25pm Monday 12 June

Football Victoria has advised this match will be replayed on Tuesday 13 June at 8pm at Lakeside Stadium.

The game will resume with the commencement of the second half with the score at 2-1 to South Melbourne. All goals and yellow cards recorded in the first half will stand. Both teams are required to field the same players as per the original team sheets with the substitutes listed to remain the same.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING : SOUTH MELBOURNE HELLAS LTD

Wednesday, 5 April 2023

Dear Member,

RE: Annual General Meeting

It is advised that the Annual General Meeting of South Melbourne Hellas Club Ltd will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday 26th April 2023
Time: 7.00pm
Location: 1959 Bar And Grill, Lakeside Stadium
25 Albert Road Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206

The agenda shall include the following:

1. Confirmation of Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting;
2. Finance Report and presentation of Audited Accounts of the Club;
3. Presidents Report;
4. Appointment of Auditors and determination of their remuneration;
5. Any other business of which due notice shall have been given;

A printed and electronic copy of the Annual Report including the 2022 Audited Financial Accounts will be made available 14 Days prior to the commencement of the AGM where you will be able to download a copy from our website www.smfc.com.au/documents-resources/ . The password to access the Annual Report was issued via email or post to all financial members.  Alternatively, you can contact the club office to have a copy emailed or posted to you.

To confirm your eligibility to vote you can contact by emailing admin@smfc.com.au or calling (03) 9645 9797.

Kind Regards

Skip Fulton
Secretary

SMH AGM DOCUMENTATION

• SMH Articles of Association (Constitution)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING : SOUTH MELBOURNE FC PTY LTD

Wednesday, 5 April 2023

Dear Member,

RE: Annual General Meeting

It is advised that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of South Melbourne Football Club Ltd will be held as follows:

Date: Wednesday 26th April 2023
Time: 8.00pm
Location: 1959 Bar And Grill, Lakeside Stadium
25 Albert Road Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206

The agenda shall include the following:

1. Confirmation of Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting;
2. Finance Report and presentation of Audited Accounts of the Club;
3. Presidents Report;
4. Appointment of Auditors and determination of their remuneration;
5. Any other business of which due notice shall have been given;

A printed and electronic copy of the Annual Report including the 2022 Audited Financial Accounts will be made available 14 Days prior to the commencement of the AGM where you will be able to download a copy from our website www.smfc.com.au/documents-resources. The password to access the Annual Report was issued via email or post to all financial members. Alternatively, you can contact the club office to have a copy emailed or posted to you.

To confirm your eligibility to vote you can contact by emailing admin@smfc.com.au or calling (03) 9645 9797.

Kind Regards

Skip Fulton
Secretary

SMFC AGM DOCUMENTATION

• SMFC Constitution

South Melbourne FC has today confirmed that it has formally submitted its Expression of Interest for the National Second Tier, marking a historic moment for the club and the Australian football landscape. The new league is set to provide a fully connected football pyramid from grassroots to the top tier, with the long-term objective of promotion and relegation between all tiers.

For the latest generation of Australian football fans, this is a unique opportunity to witness the clubs their parents and grandparents grew up supporting playing on the national stage. The rekindling of old rivalries between South Melbourne, Marconi, Adelaide City, and APIA Leichhardt will surely excite generations of traditional football fans.

Football Australia’s framework for the launch of the league in early 2024 has opened up the possibility for any club in Australia, from community to national premier leagues, to reach the heights of national-level football.

South Melbourne FC President Nicholas Maikousis expressed his gratitude to Football Australia for facilitating the creation of the new national-level league. “We finally face the reality of aspirational football returning to Australia,” he said. “South Melbourne has long advocated for this, and it is encouraging to see the positive steps being taken.”

The club is now poised to return to its rightful place on the national stage, and its members, supporters, and fans can look forward to the prospect of playing against iconic clubs such as Marconi and APIA at Lakeside Stadium once again.

South Melbourne FC has a proud history of producing some of the country’s most talented footballers and globally renowned coaches. Dozens of Socceroos have come through the club’s ranks, including Ange Postecoglou, who went on to coach the Australian national team and lead them to victory in the Asian Cup in 2015, and now successfully coaching Scottish football giant, Celtic.

The club’s contribution to Australian football cannot be overstated, and its commitment to developing the next generation of football stars remains as strong as ever. The launch of the National Second Tier provides the perfect platform for South Melbourne FC to continue its proud tradition of producing top-quality footballers and coaches who can compete on the world stage.

As the club moves forward with its Expression of Interest, its members, supporters, and fans can be confident that South Melbourne FC will continue to be at the forefront of Australian football and will play a significant role in shaping its future.

South Melbourne FC will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available about the next stage. The club will also hold a forum to provide members with the opportunity to ask questions about the process and share their voice about the National Second Tier directly with the club.

This is an exciting moment for South Melbourne FC and the Australian football community, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for the National Second Tier.

A balmy evening on Friday night at Green Gully Reserve saw South Melbourne FC take all three points against Green Gully.

The 1-3 win over the hosts provided South the perfect start to the season with two wins from two matches, once again positioning itself at the top of the NPL Victoria ladder where the club finished last year.

Forward Ajak Riak joined the club from Bentleigh Greens over the off season and in just his second match he came up with the goods, scoring two second half goals to secure the win for South.

Talking to David Henning of South Melbourne media, Ajak was asked how he felt about scoring his first goals in royal blue. “Oh, it was fantastic. I was just wanting to get two cause the first half I had. I had bare chances in the front third, but I just couldn’t find back in the next. I just told myself at all time I have to get two least and second half.”

Riak had a few fans on the sideline cheering him on and celebrating the goals. “A few of my cousins and friends you know. Family that come along to the games and they obviously drive me on. It’s good to have.”

Reflecting after a big celebration after the second goal, “second one was just like, I have to get a third now” he said.

South return to Lakeside Stadium for Round #3 of the 2023 NPL Victoria season next weekend. It’s the Original Melbourne Derby against the Melbourne Knights which is set to be a massive fixture.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLURc5MXzrU[/embedyt]

Alun Webb scored South Melbourne FCs opening goal of the 2023 season on the way to defeating Moreland City 2-1 in the season opener at Lakeside Stadium.

After the match he spoke with David Henning sharing his thoughts on the win.

David Henning:

Well, I’ve got Alan Webb here with me. He scored the final Lakeside goal in 2022 in that semi-final and he scored the first South Melbourne Lakeside goal in 2023.  Webbie, a pretty important goal there because we’re up against it, against Moreland.

Alun Webb:

Yeah. it was a bit of a bit of a scrappy first half really. You know, when we got in at halftime, I think it was just about regrouping and just really like putting our best foot forward at the start of the second half. Cause we knew that if we start quickly and we can get a goal then, you know, then possibly get another one. So yeah, I was, you know, delighted to get on the score sheet as quickly as we did and then yeah, go from there. And Pat’s got a great goal as well. We held out and you know, we’ve become good at, holding firm when we get a lead and look, I’m glad that we can take that into this year too.

David Henning:

Let’s talk about the buildup to your goal because it was a new signing, the big centre forward. AJ Riak pretty nice flick on. He actually timed that perfectly. And look you’ve, you’ve gone pretty casual about this, but that was a beautiful control and finish.

Alun Webb:

Yeah, AJ’s brilliant. He’s he’s so, so hard to deal with for defenders and you know, he’s a constant like thorn in their side really. And it was a great header and yeah, it was a little bit behind me and I was really, really happy with the touch I was be able to pull it in front of me and get in front of the defender and then I thought keep it low. And yeah, when hit found the bottom corner, I was, you like really, really happy to get to get on the score sheet and make a difference for the team today.

David Henning:

You’re a Welsh native and we love the Welshman for some fantastic footballers. Not many of them probably play in this heat. How are you adapting to the hot weather?

Alun Webb:

I think doing the stuff that we do in pre-season in Shepparton and like makes a really big difference in adapting to the heat. But it’s tough for everyone. I think both sides kind of dealt with it well today. We are doing a lot of fitness, the lads have been working really, really hard and I think that showed in the second half and we, you know, we sort of went from strength to strength in the second half and yeah.

Dave Henning:

Well it’s a good start to the season making congratulations on your goal and the winner as well. Alan Webb score sheet first winner.

Alun Webb:

That’s very much mate. Cheers. Nice.

Photo’s of Alun Webb in Round 1 of the 2023 season thanks to Behind the Lens

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

South players join Asia-Oceania Blind Football Cup

South Melbourne FC footballers have arrived in India to join the Australian national team, the Bilbies, in the 2022 IBSA Asia-Oceania Blind Football Championships.

The South Melbourne squad trains fortnightly between April and October and attend three National Training Camps each year. They compete in the National Blind Football Series at these camps and thus far remain undefeated lifting the inaugural Championship trophy in 2022.

Club President Nicholas Maikousis said “we are proud to have played a part in helping these footballers develop and join the national team. They are part of the Australian team who will be playing competitive blind football on the international stage for the first time ever . These players took their first steps on Lakeside Stadium two years ago and tonight they’ll be representing their Country in the 2022 IBSA Asia-Pacific Championships. It’s a tremendous journey”

South Melbourne FC Blind Football Captain Amir Abdi explained it was a “huge honour” to be named in the squad. “The future for the sport in Australia is exciting and we will be training hard to achieve a good result in India,” he said.

South Melbourne players in the Bilbies squad:

• Amir Abdi
• Brendan Spencer
• Nathan Letts
• Nathan Meneses (GK)

South Melbourne players in the Bilbies squad:

• Ankit Singh (Team Manager)
• Bess Hepworth (Goal Guide)

The Bilbies will play their first fixture against Iran tonight, kicking off at 11:30pm Melbourne time. You can watch the match free on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/qA2wLxw2a0A

You can follow the progress of the team on the on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ausblindfootball

Blind Football is an internationally recognised sport. Australia is eligible to compete in the Asia-Oceania Championships, the World Championships and the Paralympics. It is played outdoors by athletes who are totally blind (B1) on a 40m x 20m pitch with side kickboards and an audible ball. There are two teams of five; four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players wear eye-shades to equal their sight and the goalkeeper can be fully or partially sighted.

You can read more about the South Melbourne FC program here: https://www.smfc.com.au/blind-football/

Danielle Wise to call Lakeside home in 2023

Turnbull and Tsacos to lead Under 15 girls.

South Melbourne FC is happy to announce its coaching team for the Under 15 NPL girls team in 2023.

John Turnbull will be returning to the coaching team for the second year running having joined the club in 2022 from his previous role as the Senior Women’s Coach at Port Melbourne SC.

Joining him as coach of the Under 15s will be Christie-Lee Tsacos. Christie joins us after a successful season leading Wesley College to their first ever APS title. An experienced player, Christie played for Adelaide Sensation in the National Soccer League and for over ten years in the South Australian Premier League, captaining Metro United.

South Melbourne Women’s Football Director Theo Chronis said “I’m excited to welcome Christie to South Melbourne and have her join John in leading our Under 15 girls in 2023. Christie has extensive experience as a player at the elite level and having coached Wesley College I look forward to seeing her share her football journey with our young players.”

John and Christie will be looking to build on a successful 2022 for our Under 15s where they made the Grand Final narrowly going down in a penalty shoot-out.