Author: SMFC Media

Monday, 19 March 2012 3:19 PM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce its new partnership with Oasis Coffee, with its logo proudly featuring on the back of the playing shirt for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

Griffiths Coffee is the proud owner and producer of Oasis Pure Greek Coffee. Roasting since 1879, they are a family-owned coffee roasting packaging and distribution business, with a unique combination of expertise and quality being the basis of their success. Oasis Pure Greek Coffee is the No 1 selling Pure Greek Style Coffee in Victoria.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said “we are excited to be welcoming the Oasis Coffee brand to the SMFC family. We hope that it will be 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 to our club”.

Friday, 16 March 2012 9:30 AM

By Roy Hay

Ian Marshall died on 13 March 2012 in Christchurch, New Zealand after a long battle with cancer. Ian was a key member of the South Melbourne FC midfield in the 1970s, playing alongside Jimmy Armstrong, Peter Bourne, John Bedford and Steve Walker. He helped South Melbourne to the State League championship in 1972 and 1974. He was selected in an Australian squad but did not take the field in an international match. From South he joined Brunswick Juventus and then went to New Zealand, from where his wife, Christine, hailed.

Ian Marshall was born in Ross-shire in Scotland and started his senior career with the local club Ross County in Dingwall. He was spotted by Tommy Docherty when he was managing Chelsea and the ebullient Scottish manager intended to take the young man to London. However a serious leg injury kept Marshall out of the game for some time. By the time he was back on the top line, Dockerty had left Chelsea so the big move never came about, and Ian Marshall played for some time with Rotherham under Docherty. In 1970, however, he made an even bigger move, when he was recruited by South Melbourne. Marshall and Peter Bourne hit it off in the midfield and Laurie Schwab in 1972 wrote, they ‘look and play as if they were brothers’ knocking off league leader George Cross at Middle Park in front of 11,000 fans and rarely allowing their opponents John Gardiner and Kevin Walker a sniff of the ball. South won that game four-nil. The arrival of Jimmy Mackay from Sydney in 1975 probably limited Marshall’s opportunities and he moved on. At Brunswick Juventus he played with Jim Armstrong, Jack Reilly and Pat Della Rocca. In New Zealand he continued to play and coach and was involved with the national team, the All Whites. He was an inaugural inductee in the South Melbourne Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Christine, son Callum and twin daughters Alana and Vanessa.

Thursday, 15 March 2012 10:54 AM

Returning to South Melbourne FC as one of its Principal Partners is Primary School Wear (PSW), with its logo proudly featuring on the sleeve of the playing shirt for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

Since 1990 PSW has been one of Australia’s leading direct-to-school suppliers of quality School Uniforms for primary and secondary schools.

The PSW range of uniform garments has been designed explicitly for Australian schools with a strong emphasis on durability, comfort and quality. Their products cover all school uniform requirements including trousers, track pants, shirts, jumpers, polo shirts, dresses, skirts, hats and school bags.

Speaking to smfc.com.au. SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said ” we are delighted to welcome back Primary School Wear to the Club, as they were proud sponsors of the Club in the National Soccer League. I ask all fans and members to support the sponsors that assist the Club”.

Wednesday, 14 March 2012 10:43 AM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce its new partnership with Beachcomber Cafe, with its logo proudly featuring on the back of the playing shirt for the 2012 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 said “we are excited to be welcoming Beachcomber Cafe to the SMFC family. We hope that it will be 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”.

Monday, 12 March 2012 2:53 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of former Perth SC goalkeeper Jason Saldaris.

The 21 year old comes from Western Australia with a reputation as a wonderful shot stopper and someone who is not afraid to come off his line to win a contest, especially when considering his powerful frame and height (195cm).

Saldaris will be vying for the first choice goalkeeping position with our other new signing Peter Gavalas.

We welcome Jason to Lakeside Stadium and wish him all the best in 2012 and beyond.

Friday, 9 March 2012 3:44 PM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that Star21 is our Major Partner again for season 2012. Star21 is well known for supporting many elite and community based sporting clubs in Victoria.

Star21 is one of Telstra’s largest national business and corporate partners having won back-to-back awards in 2010 & 2011 as “Telstra Business Dealer of the Year”. Star21 specialise in all facets of telecommunications and help businesses integrate their voice, data, internet and mobile requirements. We encourage all of our Corporate partners to get on board with Star21 with their telecommunications services and receive a customised offering and superior customer service.

Star21’s Senior Account Manager, Rob Arizona, has been appointed to work closely with all of South Melbourne’s corporate partners. Should you require a review of your current telecommunications structure please call Rob on 0400 88 44 77 and he will personally come to you.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC President Leo Athanasakis said, “we are delighted to renew our existing major partnership with Star21, and ask all South fans and members to contact Star21 for all their telecommunications requirements. We hope that it will be a long-standing relationship between both organisations. Support the sponsors that support our great club”.

For more information on Star21 please visit www.star21.com.au

Friday, 9 March 2012 10:40 AM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the return of Gianni De Nittis to Lakeside Stadium for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

Gianni De Nittis returns to Lakeside after being released by former coach Eddie Krncevic in May 2011 and joining Northcote City for the remainder of last season.

De Nittis was one of the inaugural players in the South squad in 2005 when the Club returned to the Victorian Premier League and will always be remembered for scoring South’s winning goal against Altona Magic in the 2006 Victorian Premier League Grand Final.

In his previous stint with the Club, he made 117 League appearances and scored 31 League goals. Four of his 31 League goals were in one famous afternoon on ANZAC Day in 2010 against Hume City at Broadmeadows Valley Park, where he joined an elite list of only nine South Melbourne FC players to have scored four goals for the Club in a League match.

Coach Tsolakis will look to use De Nittis as a support to Trent Rixon up front this season, with the two having already linked up together at Northcote City last year.

We wish Gianni all the best for 2012 and beyond

Friday, 9 March 2012 9:44 AM

The next major event on the SMFC calendar is the Lakeside Stadium Family Day to be held on Saturday 24th March.

A number of activities for all ages such as amusement rides and face painting are planned for the day, as it will provide another opportunity to check out the refurbished Lakeside Stadium. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the playing squad, get an autograph, and have their photo taken with the SMFC stars.

Furthermore, fans will have the opportunity to purchase and pick up their 2012 SMFC membership from the membership tent located near the main grandstand. Memberships can also be purchased online as well (smfc.com.au/membership). In addition, SMFC fans will be able to purchase from the new range of SMFC merchandise for the new season .

It promises to great day out, so we hope to see you there !

Thursday, 8 March 2012 10:18 AM

South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of youngster Dimitri Hatzimouratis.

The attacking player comes to the club having previously played with Alki Larnaca in the Cypriot First Division, while South fans will remember him playing for Western Suburbs, Melbourne Knights and Melbourne Victory Youth teams in Australia.

Dimitri will bring an extra attacking option to the squad and with his blistering pace and ability to finish, he is expected to support new signing Trent Rixon up front.

We welcome Dimitri to the club and wish him all the best for 2012 and beyond.

Wednesday, 7 March 2012 9:04 AM

South Melbourne FC is delighted to announce the signing of Peter Gavalas to Lakeside Stadium for the 2012 Victorian Premier League season.

Gavalas arrives at South from fellow Victorian Premier League side Bentleigh Greens, where he excelled as goalkeeper for the Greens. The experienced Gavalas has been around the Victorian Premier League for several seasons now, having also played for Heidelberg United in the past.

He is seen as the ideal first choice goalkeeper for the Club, with 2011 first choice keeper Zaim Zeneli being given permission to move on.

South Melbourne FC welcomes Peter Gavalas and wishes him all the best for the upcoming season.