Author: SMFC Media

Dear fans, players, members, parents, staff and volunteers,

On Friday at 5pm South Melbourne FC submitted its formal bid to join the Hyundai A-league in season 2019/20.

It’s a highly competitive process with a big prize on offer. Gaining an A-League licence is only the beginning.

This bid has been almost 60 years in the making. It’s our intention to make public with our supporters, the core elements of the bid. Our story is one of a club built by passionate and selfless people from many walks of life. To all the parents and kids out there who train and play each and every week, we say thank you. Thank you to the supporters, players and volunteers who give up their time each and every week.

Without you, we would be just a soulless bid document full of promises. Not the vibrant, viable and real club we are today.

The FFA made it quite clear in their strategy briefing that they are focused on:

Connecting more fans, building generations of successful national teams. To achieve that, more and more young talented girls and boys need to participate and learn the game in the right way. The more kids that play the right way, the better the standard, the more appealing the competition becomes and the more opportunities there are for players to find a pathway. If we collectively improve the standard, we improve the fan appeal and commercial attractiveness of the A-League.

South Melbourne FC’s strategy is perfectly aligned with the FFA.

We are confident. We have the plan, the belief and the infrastructure. But most importantly we have the fans from right across Melbourne and the South, South East.

Thank you again for your support. We will be notified on October 31.

Go South!

Bill Papastergiadis

Chairman – South Melbourne FC & South Melbourne FC A-League Bid Team

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of former youth player Giuseppe Marafioti for the next two seasons.

The attacking midfielder joins his brother Giordano Marafioti at the club, following a highly successful 18-month stint with the Oakleigh Cannons.

Marafioti was a key member of the 2015 SMFC Under 20 squad under coach Sasa Kolman, before being signed by Melbourne City as part of their youth set up. After two years with the Hyundai A-League side, he moved onto Oakleigh in the NPL Victoria competition, playing in 40 matches for the Cannons and scoring on a dozen occasions.

A player renowned for his work ethic, calmness on the ball and creativity in the attacking third, he will bring another much-needed option for South Melbourne heading into the second part of the season.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Sasa Kolman was excited to officially welcome Giuseppe to the club.

“Pepe was a wonderful talent in our Under 20s. He has shown his quality through the National Youth League system and during his time at Oakleigh.”

“He will bring us a hardworking and creative option into our side and we are very excited to see him make his senior debut at the club on Sunday against Bulleen.”

We wish Giuseppe all the best for his time at the club and look forward to seeing him make his senior debut.

Adams returns to Australia with his young family, following a six month period with Swedish side Ljungskile SK.

In his first stint with the club, the central defender played in 70 club matches, playing a key role in the heart of the defence. This included starting in the 2016 NPL Grand Final win over Oakleigh and an important role throughout the 2017 FFA Cup campaign.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Senior Coach Sasa Kolman was pleased to have Luke re-join the club.

“We all know what Luke is about, he will bring a composed and very confident defensive option to the team, as well as understanding what it is like to play for South Melbourne.

“We see him playing an important role for the remainder of the season and beyond.”

Luke will replace Ajdin Fetahagic on the club’s roster, with the Queenslander being released.

Good afternoon South Melbourne supporters. Today represents a significant moment in the history of South Melbourne FC.

We have officially lodged our Expression of Interest (EOI) document to join the A-League in season 2019/20.

It’s the first small step in a process, but the culmination of many steps and large strides this club has made over the best part of 60 years.

SMFC has a rich history. We are Australia’s most successful football club, having achieved more honours than any other Australian club, including four national titles. Of course, we are proud of these achievements.

However, this bid document is not about the past National Soccer League (NSL) glories or number of titles.

Outlined throughout the 100-page document is a 14-year case study of a committed football community building every element of a professional club to not only compete in the top flight, but contribute to the sustainability of Football for girls, boys, women, men and fans in Australia for generations to come.

We have you, the supporters, players and community to thank.

It’s no secret that 14 years ago SMFC was disappointed not to be a part of the inaugural A-League. The decisions relating to the formation of the A-League are well documented. Simply being a successful part of the old world (NSL) would no longer guarantee the club a seat at the table. It was watershed moment for the club.

Despite the disappointment, our response was to “get to work” on creating the “new” SMFC. Many people have provided support to keep the club moving forward.

We sincerely thank you for your support.

As your President, it is an absolute privilege to serve this club.

The next steps will be announced towards the end of June.

Yours sincerely,
Leo Athanasakis
SMFC President

Team App Cup Update:

South Melbourne FC has officially recorded a 0-3 loss in its Team App Cup match on Wednesday evening against FC Bulleen Lions due to fielding an ineligible player.

A member of the squad has previously played for another club in the Team App Cup deeming the player as ineligible. This was an unforseen administrative error and the Club apologises to its players, members and supporters.

We are proud of the result from Wednesday night and our players performance. We turn our attention and focus to the transition under Senior Coach Angelo Koutos and making the finals in the NPLW Victoria

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that Vice-Captain, Championship Winner and 2016 Theo Marmaras Medal winner Matthew Foschini has re-signed until the end of the 2020 season.

Since crossing from Oakleigh in 2016, Foschini has made a huge impression at Lakeside Stadium, including playing an active role in the club’s leadership group for the past three seasons.

The former Young Socceroo has played in 67 matches for the club, and will once again play a leading role for the 2018 season, with his versatility and reliability allowing him to play in numerous positions across the park.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Foschini was moved to re-sign for the club. “I am delighted to extend my stay at the club, this club is home to me. I have built an incredible bond with everyone involved in the club over the past 2 years, and am extremely excited in the direction that the club is heading under our new boss Sasa Kolman. I have a huge amount of respect for him and the way he approaches his coaching, with 100% commitment to his job every single day. I have no doubt in what he will be able to do for us over the coming years, and this was a major factor in me committing my future to the club.”

Senior Men’s Head Coach Sasa Kolman was also pleased with the contract extension. “Fish is an extremely important individual at this football club and we are happy to have him part of both our short and long-term future. His football ability, experience and versatility makes him an invaluable player for the first team. Combine this with his leadership qualities and love for the club, I am sure all South fans will enjoy seeing such a passionate player in our ranks for years to come.”

SMFC Men’s Football Director Nicholas Maikousis echoed the thoughts of Kolman. “We are extremely pleased to keep Matthew at the club, both from what he provides the club both on and off the park. We hope to see the best of Matthew once again in 2018 and beyond” We wish Matthew all the best for the current 2018 campaign, as well as congratulate him on his loyalty towards the club.

South Melbourne FC would like to confirm the re-signing of four championship winning players ahead of the WNPL Community Shield on Friday night.

Alex Cheal has once again committed to the club, with the four time championship winning player back in 2018. As one of the more experienced and composed central defenders in the league, her presence on the park as a player and leader will once again be of benefit to our senior team.

Jamie Pollock will once again continue throughout the middle of the park and is once again to provide that area of the park with an extremely hard working and creative option. As a three time championship player and someone with W-League experience, the club are excited to once again retain her services.

Aimee Medwin joined the club in 2017 from Tasmania. In a breakout season, Medwin played in 26 matches for the club as a right sided winger. She will once again provide the coaching staff with a fantastic young defensive option, who will run up and down the right wing for 90 minutes.

Finally, Cassandra Zaffina will once again be part of the club as one of our goalkeeping options. Zaffina began the 2017 strongly, before injury forced her to take numerous weeks out of the game. Upon returning from injury, she played in the South Melbourne Women’s State League 2 Championship side. As part of this, her role in the side was one of the key reasons for the triumph and promotion back into State League 1.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, Women’s Football Director Gabrielle Giuliano was pleased with the re-signings. “I’m very excited about the upcoming season and am also extremely pleased we are able to retain the services of these fantastic footballers and young women. We hope they can once again play a role in what we hope will be a successful 2018 season.”

We wish the quartet all the best for the 2018 season.