Author: SMFC Media

Thursday, 28 February 2013 3:38 PM

George Papadopoulos is on the far left of this photo

South Melbourne FC is in mourning following the passing of former midfielder and Hall of Fame member George Papadopoulos at the age of 76.

Born in 1936, Papadopoulos spent seven wonderful seasons at the Club from 1960 to 1966. He was a player in South Melbourne Hellas’ inaugural team in 1960 and played his part in the Club’s first ever Championship team that went undefeated in the Metropolitan League 1 North division (now known as State League 1) and easily won promotion into the Victorian State League that year.

The midfielder then went on to play a leading role throughout the 1960s and was a key member of the 1962, 1964, 1965 and 1966 Victorian State League Championships.

Mr Papadopoulos was also the first South player to score a goal in the old Australian Cup competition, a statistic that will always be credited to him in the Club’s history.

South Melbourne FC would like to extend its condolences to Mr Papadopoulos’ family and friends and thank him for the contribution that he made to South Melbourne FC.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday. 

Wednesday, 27 February 2013 3:51 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with Beachcomber Cafe for another season, with its logo proudly featuring on the back of the playing shirt for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

Located at the St Kilda Sea Baths, Beachcomber goes beyond expectations of a casual cafe experience. Spectacular beach side views, a sprawling outdoor dining area and a gourmet menu mean this restaurant showcases St Kilda’s food culture at its best. Delicious meals are served with a touch of the Mediterranean and set in the perfect location with its uninterrupted view of Port Phillip Bay. In addition, Beachcomber Cafe is open from morning until late in the evening, and is perfect for a morning pit stop, a lazy afternoon or to watch the sun set over the water.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC General Manager Peter Kokotis commented “we are excited to be announcing that Beachcomber Cafe has renewed its partnership with the club for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season. We hope the partnership becomes a long-standing relationship between both organisations. I ask all South fans and members to get behind our sponsors, and assist the organisations that are committing their support for this great club”.

The 2013 SMFC Jersey Presentation event will be held at Beachcomber Cafe. Details for the event will be released shortly.

Click here to visit the Beachcomber website

Tuesday, 26 February 2013 2:22 PM

South Melbourne FC is excited to announce its partnership with Alphington Grammar for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

Established by the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria in 1989, Alphington Grammar School has been designed from its inception to be academically strong, non-denominational and to embrace teaching excellence and cultural diversity. Situated only seven kilomentres from the CBD, Alphington Grammar is accessible by major commuter corridors and within easy reach of inner, eastern and northern suburbs. The school boasts modern classrooms designed for flexible Teaching and Learning programmes with iPad technology and expansive parkland grounds. Naplan and VCE results are impressive for all student cohorts.

Indoor and Outdoor Sports facilities are excellent at Alphington Grammar. The Andrianakos Centre boasts an indoor Multi Purpose Hall suitable for indoor Futsal, Basketball, Volleyball and Table Tennis. There are also 3 Multi Purpose Outdoor courts suitable for Tennis, T Ball and fitness training sessions and beautiful outdoor grounds suitable for all sports.

In what is an exciting move for both organisations, South Melbourne FC will avail Alphington Grammar of the expertise of its elite professional coaches to provide its students and their coaches with training and guidance to help improve their skill levels and competitiveness.

South Melbourne FC will run a focused Holiday clinic Alphington Grammar, with these clinics being available to all Alphington Grammar students in years 5 to 9 and those in surrounding areas in year 5 level and above who wish to participate. Details of the first clinics will be available shortly.

The club will also provide an active role in assisting Alphington Grammar with the promotion of all its events and related marketing material.

South Melbourne FC will also provide ALL Alphington Grammar students with a free junior membership for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season, enabling each student to watch the club participate in all of its home matches at Lakeside Stadium.

South Melbourne General Manager Peter Kokotis was delighted with the new partnership, telling smfc.com.au “we are quite excited to welcome Alphington Grammar to the South Melbourne family. It will be great for the students to have access to elite coaches who will be able to work with the school’s coaches and further develop the football skills of the students. The Club has actively worked with a number of community organisations and working with children to promote active lifestyles through football is fantastic”.

Mr Manuel Pappos, Business Manager at Alphington Grammar said, “ The bond between SMFC and AGS will be a huge benefit for our students as they strive to improve their football skills and develop their teamwork as a whole. The history of SMFC and AGS shares many cultural traditions and values which places this partnership in a very strong position to succeed into the future.”

We look forward to working with Alphington Grammar and hope to continue this partnership for many years to come.

Thursday, 21 February 2013 9:27 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to launch its membership campaign for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season – WE ARE SOUTH MELBOURNE!

South Melbourne FC is more than a club. What makes our club so great is not just the long list of great players, honours and successes over half a century. It is that unique DNA that has set us apart from all other football clubs in Australia. There are many facets to the club that makes it so strong:

• the fans who get behind the team and travel all across town showing their tremendous support
• the volunteers who work long hours off the park
• the Football Department that prepares the playing squad
• the players who train hard and play to win
• the junior players in the club’s Youth Development Program who dream of playing for the senior team and the Socceroos

Everyone plays an important role at the club because WE ARE SOUTH MELBOURNE!

The Club continues its focus on generating new members and providing added value to its current loyal membership base. This season, we have continued to further add value to our membership with the addition of the MSAC Sports Hub Flexi Membership FREE to all paid memberships valued at $85. As part of this added benefit, members will be provided with a FREE car parking space for a 12-month period. Furthermore, we have kept the benefits that our members enjoy as well.

Memberships can be purchased online, or simply returning the completed membership application form with your payment details.

With the completion of the new social club, offices, and futsal centre at Lakeside Stadium, there is a no better way to enjoy your football experience

Go South!

View the 2013 Membership Commercial Below

Thursday, 21 February 2013 1:12 PM

By Marissa Tasios

Forgotten striker Nick Jacobs is anxious to return to the field after a serious injury to his left ankle in a school game late in 2012.

Earlier in that week, he had forced his way into the senior line-up in the match against Southern Stars and became a hero when he headed home Phil Petreski’s cross in the 94th minute to win the game for South 3-2.

He is now, however, taking the recovery in his stride and is planning on rehabilitating step by step.

Jacobs was challenged fiercely from the side, half way up his planted leg, as he went to cross the ball. It was then when all of the ligaments in his left ankle were ruptured. In addition, he incurred an avulsion fraction of the anklebone, which required a full reconstruction and repair. As if he didn’t have enough on his plate, he also ruptured the syndesmosis ligament.

The 18 year old required surgery on his ankle, which required a screw and plate fixation. Jacobs was initially unable to bear any weight on his left ankle until some weeks passed. He then underwent another surgery in order to remove the insertions implemented previously.

Since November, Jacobs has been working on a regular basis with Darren Campbell who focuses on the strength and conditioning of athletes, Darren has been guiding his progress since November he emphasises an Eastern philosophy in his training and rehab.

The striker is currently feeling very strong but knows that there is a deal of work to be done on his aerobic capacity and recovery. Speaking to smfc.com.au, Jacobs said “Darren has me beginning to run and we are starting to ramp up more intense weight bearing activities and running patterns”.

Nick’s aspirations for the 2013 season are to return to the field with South Melbourne FC as soon as possible, however, the anxious soccer player is taking the recovery process one step at a time.

We wish him all the best and hope to see him on the park soon.

Nick Jacobs match winning goal against Southern Stars

Monday, 18 February 2013 9:44 AM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of 26 year old Dutch striker Renco Van Eeken for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

Van Eeken or as he’s already been affectionately named around the club ‘RVE’, is a classy left footer who has come to the club directly from the Netherlands, playing for Hardenberg in the 2011-12 season. With his exceptional ball control and pace, as well as his ability to finish, Van Eeken promises to bolster our attacking options for the season ahead.

Upon arriving in Australia, Renco contacted SMFC club officials about a trial with the club and it was after two weeks of impressing at training that coach Peter Tsolakis saw enough to sign him almost immediately.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said “we are delighted to have Renco at South and we are all confident that he will be an asset to the Club”.

We wish Renco all the best for the 2013 season and hope to see him on the scoresheet quite frequently.

Monday, 18 February 2013 9:00 AM

South Melbourne FC would like to announce the departures of Steve Burton, Glen Trifiro and Jason Saldaris for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

Both Burton and Saldaris return to Perth. whilst Trifiro has returned back to his native New South Wales, where he will be playing for Sydney United 58 in the 2013 New South Wales Premier League.

The club would like to thank the trio for their efforts throughout 2012 and wish them all the best for the year ahead.

Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:24 AM

By John Kyrou 

South Melbourne FC regrets to confirm that 2012 captain Steven O’Dor has retired effective immediately due to increasing professional work commitments.

Steve played for South in the old National Youth League prior to 2004. The young centre-back was signed by John Anastasiadis as part of South’s first squad in the Victorian Premier League when the Club returned to state football in 2005. His debut match was in the opening round against Heidelberg United on Sunday 30 January 2005 in front of a crowd of nearly 12,000 at Lakeside Stadium. Along with goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis and fellow centre-back Arthur Tsonis, O’Dor was a key reason why South only conceded 17 goals during the home and away season, the lowest in the Premier League that year.

Steve only featured in 17 matches during 2006 and 2007 after going not only to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, but also to the A-League for a short stint. Ironically, Steve only featured in three games in 2006 and subsequently did not play in the victorious Grand Final side that defeated Altona Magic 1-0 on Sunday 24 September that year. After juggling playing for South and also being in Canberra with the AIS in 2007, Steve returned permanently to South in 2008 whilst also concentrating on finishing his Law studies. He was rewarded when he received the Theo Marmaras Medal for SMFC Player of the Year in 2008.

Steve made 23 appearances for South in both 2008 and 2009. He was recognised for his leadership capabilities when Michael Michalakopoulos appointed him vice-captain in the Club’s 50th year in 2009 and new coach Vaughan Coveny kept that status in 2010. Steve travelled to Singapore with the Club in 2010 for the Singapore Cup and featured in all three matches as South overcame Gombak United in the First Round before succumbing to Bangkok Glass FC over two legs in the Quarter Finals. In the Premier League that season, he chipped in with four goals including a brace against Altona Magic on Sunday 4 July at John Cain Reserve (a 3-1 win).

Eddie Krncevic appointed Steve as Captain of the Club in 2011, a position he has held until now. He scored three goals in his 19 appearances in 2011 including a well-placed header for the winning goal against the Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday 18 March (a 2-1 win). Unfortunately, increasing work commitments and injury restricted Steve to only 14 appearances in 2012. However he was still able to make an impact and will be remembered for his winning goal late in the game against Hume City at Epping Stadium on Friday 11 May (1-0 win). A heart-to-heart with coach Peter Tsolakis over the summer has resulted in Steve making a very mature decision to completely step aside as not only a player but as a captain. As a result, this will allow a younger player not burdened with as many work commitments to replace him in the squad.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said “its a sad day for the club to hear of the early retirement of Steve but we all admire his courage and professionalism in relinquishing not only the captaincy but his spot in the team due to increasing professional commitments. This underlines the strength of character and the measure of the individual who did not want to impact the club because he could not fully commit to this season. On behalf of everyone at South, I wish Steve all the very best for the future and have no doubt he’ll be supporting his team mates from the terraces”.

South Melbourne FC is saddened to hear of Steven O’Dor’s retirement from the game but is absolutely delighted in the professionalism that he has shown not only regarding this decision but also throughout his entire career at the Club. He joins a list of greats to have captained South throughout the Club’s 54 year history and will always be remembered as a key player in the most recent chapter of South’s history.

Steven O’Dor – South Melbourne FC Statistics

2005: 17 appearances (15 starts, 02 subs), 0 goals
2006: 03 appearances (03 starts, 00 subs), 0 goals
2007: 14 appearances (14 starts, 00 subs), 1 goal
2008: 23 appearances (23 starts, 00 subs), 0 goals
2009: 23 appearances (23 starts, 00 subs), 1 goal
2010: 22 appearances (22 starts, 00 subs), 4 goals
2011: 19 appearances (19 starts, 00 subs), 3 goals
2012: 14 appearances (13 starts, 01 subs), 2 goals
Total: 135 appearances (132 starts, 03 subs), 11 goals

Victorian Premier League
135 appearances (132 starts, 03 subs), 11 goals

Singapore Cup
3 appearances (03 starts, 00 subs), 0 goals

State Knockout Cup
1 appearance (01 start, 00 subs), 0 goals

Overall
139 appearances (136 starts, 03 subs), 11 goals

Achievements:

South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame Member
Squad member in SMFC’s 2006 Premier League Championship side
Member of SMFC’s 2007 & 2009 Hellenic Cup Championship sides
Captain of SMFC’s 2011 Hellenic Cup Championship side
Theo Marmaras Medalist (SMFC Player of the Year) 2008
Vice Captain 2009 & 2010
Captain 2011 & 2012

Tuesday, 5 February 2013 7:58 AM

South Melbourne FC was delighted to once again host the soccer clinics of the Challenge Soccer Cup in Albert Park over the weekend.

The camp is designed to give kids with cancer and their brothers and sisters an opportunity to have some time-out from cancer treatment and the rigours of hospital visits through participation in a range of sports activities and workshops.

South Melbourne FC was more than happy to support this charitable cause and play a major role in trying to put a smile on the faces of these brave children.

Players that represented South on the day included Fernando De Moraes, Luke Byles, and Alan Kearney, and Joe Keenan, along with a number of the club’s Youth Development Program coaches as well. Throughout the day, South’s players and coaches conducted multiple clinics, teaching the kids a number of training and warm up drills, ball skills training, as well as playing a series of mini games, which lifted the spirits of the kids and players alike.

SMFC President Leo Athanasakis spoke with smfc.com.au and commented on the event “congratulations to all involved at the club for volunteering their time to help out for such a worthy cause. We at South Melbourne are extremely proud to be associated with Challenge, and this kind of charity work highlights how football can make a difference and bring joy to so many people. The kids had a fantastic time on the pitch despite the difficulties and hurdles they face in dealing with cancer.”

South Melbourne FC is proud to support this wonderful cause and urges all fans to check out the Challenge website (www.challenge.org.au) to learn more about what can be done to support these inspirational kids.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013 4:25 PM

Whilst it is almost four months since our final match of 2012, the South Melbourne senior squad commenced pre-season training in preparation for the 2013 Victorian Premier League season.

Under the watchful guidance of Head Coach Peter Tsolakis, the boys were put through a gruelling 90 minute session, which consisted of a great deal of running around the Lakeside Stadium Athletics track.

Impressing in the opening session were new recruits Tyson Holmes and Alan Kearney, with Kearney quickest around the track.

Others to impress were the reigning Theo Marmaras Medalists, with both Luke Byles and Dimitri Tsiaras leading the way throughout the tough session.

The senior squad will now continue to train over the course of the next 10 weeks in preparation for the Round 1 clash away to Green Gully.

Also part of this preparation will be a series of friendly matches to be organised later in the pre-season. Please stay tuned to smfc.com.au, our social media channels and our App for the latest game times as they are scheduled.

Click here to see the exclusive photos from the opening training session.