Thursday, 12 November 2009 9:55 PM
South Melbourne FC farewelled the 2009 season and concluded its series of 50th year celebration events with the Gala Ball at Crown Palladium. The night was one of high nostalgia yet at the same time provided the 700 guests with a glimpse of what is sure to be a very bright and rewarding future for the club.
Click here to view the official photo gallery of the night
Thursday, 12 November 2009 3:19 PM
By Paul Mavroudis
Picture – Paul Trimboli with 1984 Championship winner Con Kiakos
The rumours of something spectacular being planned for the 50th anniversary stretched back into November last year. Hints were being dropped as to the magnitude of the event, so as soon as the date was announced I knew this was something that I could not miss – I booked my place straight away. When the sold out sign went up, I was glad that I’d made up my mind that quickly, and the anticipation just built. On the day of the event I had supporters remarking that they regretted not booking their place.
It was great to mingle in the foyer with the past players and coaches of the club, as well as Les Murray, watching the legends of our club and our game catch up. The photo opportunities were endless, and the fans made the most of the opportunity. Upon entering the Palladium itself, I was stunned.
How could a club, which its detractors said was dead, buried and forgotten, sell out such a magnificent venue? Full credit must go to the board members and volunteers who obviously put the time and effort required to make the night a reality.
The video and photo montages brought back old memories and created new insights into the history of the club. As someone who started following the club in the early 1990s, it was quite an emotional experience to see the footage of a huge part of my life, in seeing the on field moments and remembering where I was at that time. Hearing players and coaches speak, and the families of those who could not be there, and recognising the effort that some had made to come, against the tyrannies of distance and age.
The interviews with the past players highlighted not just the great footballing contribution the club has made, but also the great social impact since its very beginning, the kind of thing that makes a club a club and not just a business opportunity – and the kind of thing that gives a club a sense of purpose and drive. I was pleased to see fellow fans of mine – people I’ve stood on the terraces with and consider good friends – be able to also put their side of the story forward. And I was pleased that the present and future were not ignored either. Current players were treated with the same respect as past champions.
The night summed up what the club is about. Great players and teams across many eras, but not only that; a club that is not just those teams, but is also the fans and volunteers. There was a legacy presented as well as a vision of the things to come. The phrase ‘best club in Australia’ gets bandied about a fair bit by South fans and by rivals. It’s mostly an impossible measure, one fraught with cliché and a form of hubris. Being in that room though, surrounded by the living history of the club, one didn’t just feel it; one knew it to be true.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009 12:12 PM
By John Kyrou and George Kouroumalis
South Melbourne FC farewelled the 2009 season and concluded its series of 50th year celebration events with the Gala Ball at Crown Palladium on Saturday night. The night was one of high nostalgia yet at the same time provided the 700 guests with a glimpse of what is sure to be a very bright and rewarding future for the club.
The evening opened with the trumpet tune made famous at Middle Park, Olympic Park and Bob Jane Stadium by Lefteri Manessis. This was followed by a 13 minute tribute video that wonderfully incorporated all the highlights of South Melbourne FC’s 50 year history. This ranged from the Victorian State League titles in the 1960s and 1970s (as well as the recent 2006 triumph) to the last game at Middle Park, the National Soccer League titles and the FIFA World Club Championships.
SBS Head of Sport Les Murray, known to many in this country as ‘Mr Football’, was the Master of Ceremonies. Mr Murray opened by recalling his first memories of South, that being in 1966 when the Con Nestoridis led side travelled to Sydney to play St George Budapest. Since then Mr Murray covered many South Melbourne NSL matches, which led him to mention how much he grew to strongly appreciate the exceptionally talented players that have played for the club over the decades. This is also evidenced by the fact that South has had 49 Socceroo representatives as well as players that have represented other countries, such as Con Nestoridis (Greece), Malcolm MacDonald (England), Steve Wooddin and Vaughan Coveny (New Zealand).
Following the opening address, State Labor Member for Albert Park Mr Martin Foley, South president Leo Athanasakis and Chairman Nick Galatas all made brief speeches congulatulating the club on 50 wonderful years. All three gentlemen also touched on the new stadium deal at Lakeside and how it will have enormous benefits for the club. Messers Athanasakis and Galatas also praised the previous presidents of the club for their enormous contributions to South Melbourne FC.
From there and in chronological year order, the championship winning players of the State League and National League were called onto the stage where each player received an individual plaque as well as induction into the South Melbourne FC Hall of Fame. On stage to present these awards were former presidents (or relatives of deceased presidents) of South Melbourne FC. Those presenting and those honoured were as follows:
Championships:
1960 (First Division North), 1962, 1964, 1965 & 1966 (State League)
Presenter:
Olga Lappas (daughter of the late Theo Marmaras, President 1959-69 & 1971)
Inductees:
Ernie Ackerley, Jimmy Adam, Stratos Adamgikis, John Anderson, Tommy Anderson, John Bedford, Terry Budgen, Leo Damianakos, Sergio Fernandez, Stefanos Fortomanos, Chris Georgousis (Player/Coach), Antonis Hatzieleftheriou, John Hatzigeorgiou, Jordan Ieremiadis, Sam Kagioglou, Stratos Kalogeros, Boulis Kambouropoulos, Antonis Karagiannis, George Karpouzas, George Katsidis, Ulysses Kokkinos, Andreas Kosmopoulos, Bill Kourkoulakos, Peter Koutsoheras, Antonis Maikousis, Michael Mandalis, Takis Mantarakis, John Margaritis, Alekos Nanos, Con Nestoridis, Vekos Nevrous, George Papadopoulos, George Penzo, John Petris, Chris Picoulas, Babis Pipis, Manny Poulakakis (Coach), Jim Pyrgolios, Andreas Roussis, Savvas Salapasidis, Sam Service, Ted Smith, Con Solopotias, Ron Suecki (Coach), Panayiotis Tsitsos, Manny Tsolakis, Peter Tzaponis, Harry Vamvakas, Takis Xanthopoulos
Championships:
1972, 1974, 1976 (State League)
Presenters:
Elly Papasavas (wife of the late Sam Papasavas, President 1972-82)
Jim Diamantaris (President 1985-86)
Inductees:
Jim Alexiou, Howard Andrews, Jim Armstrong, Tim Augar, Giovanni Batticiotto, John Bedford, Peter Bourne, Andrew Bozikas, Duncan Cummings, John Daperis, Vasilios Efthimiou, Marco Fode, David Gorrie, Steve Gaw, Gary Groenewald, Margaritis Hagegmanouel, Bill Hasapis, Kris Kalifatidis, Boulis Kambouropoulos, John Kennedy, Ulysses Kokkinos, George Kotaridis, Tony Koutrouvelis, Reno Lia, Jimmy Mackay, Michael Mandalis, Malcolm Manley, John Margaritis (Coach), Ian Marshall, Bill McIntyre, Nick Nechvoglod, Peter Ollerton, Jim Pirzas, Manny Poulakakis (Coach), John Pryde, Michael Pye, Jim Pyrgolios, Andrew Savage, Ron Smith, Lou Tsigaras, Manny Tsivoglou, Steve Walker, Arthur Xanthopoulos
Championships:
1984 (National League)
Presenter:
Leo Anezakis (President 1983-84)
Inductees:
Peter Abraam, Steve Blair, Doug Brown, Gary Clayton, Oscar Crino, Alan Davidson, Charlie Egan, Carl Halford, Jim Kalambokis, Kris Kalifatidis, John Kanesoulis, Con Kiakos, Peter Laumets, Paul Lewis, Len McKendry (Coach), Ken Murphy, Ange Postecoglou, Bobby Russell, Mark Turudia, John Yzendoorn
Championships:
1990/91, 1997/98, 1998/99 (National League)
Honours:
Oceania Club Cup Champions 1999
Presenters:
Chris Christopher (President 1987)
Bill Georgantis (President 1988-89)
George Vasilopoulos (President 1990-2001)
Peter Mitrakas (President 2002-04)
Inductees:
John Anastasiadis, Tansel Baser, Steve Blair, Con Blatsis, Con Boutsianis, David Clarkson, Vaughan Coveny, Michael Curcija, Adrian Cuzzupe, Bill Damianos, Fausto De Amicis, Mehmet Durakovic, Paul Fernandes, George Goutzioulis, Carl Halford (Assistant Coach), David Healy, Steve Iosifidis, Chris Jones, Robert Liparoti, Goran Lozanovski, Bruce MacLaren, Michael Michalakopoulos, Harry Micheil, Mustafa Mustafa, Nick Orlic, Joe Palatsides, Steve Panopoulos, Mike Petersen, Michael Petkovic, Jason Polak, Ange Postecoglou (Player 1991, Coach 1998 & 99), Ferenc Puskas (Coach), Kimon Taliadoros, Steve Tasios, Paul Trimboli, Peter Tsolakis, Jim Tsekinis, Paul Wade, Danny Wright
Championships:
2006 (State League)
Honours:
Oceania Representatives at the Inaugural FIFA World Club Championships in 2000
Oceania Confederation Team of the 20th Century
Presenters:
Greg Kaias (President 2006)
Paul Dimarelos (President 2007)
Inductees:
John Anastasiadis (Coach), Dean Anastasiadis, Tansel Baser, Con Blatsis, Andrew Bourakis, Vaughan Coveny, Nic Curtis, Fernando De Moraes, Gianni De Nittis, Sam De Vito, Con Dimitropoulos, Dino Djulbic, John Gabrielson (Assistant Coach), Scott MacNicol, Antonio Naglieri, Bill Natsioulas, Steven O’Dor, Andreas Oliveira, Jonas Salley, James Stefanou, Rama Tavsancioglu, Arthur Tsonis, George Tzirtis
Whilst the presentations were taking place, photographs and videos were displayed on the screens showing highlights of those teams in action. At the conclusion of the presentations, another highly emotional video was played. The video included interviews with many players, such as Paul Trimboli, Con Boutsianis, Takis Mantarakis, Ulysses Kokkinos, Gianni De Nittis, Fernando De Moraes, Jim Armstrong, John Daperis, Con Nestoridis and Vaughan Coveny to name a few. All the players mentioned how much of a huge role South Melbourne FC has played in helping to shape their careers and in some cases their entire lives. Interviews were also conducted with various supporters and board members of South Melbourne FC.
South Melbourne FC congratulates all inductees on their deserved awards and would like to publicly thank the tireless efforts of Jim Armstrong, Con Mandalis, Paul Trimboli, Kimon Taliadoros, Vaughan Coveny, Peter Laumets and Takis Mantarakis for all of their assistance in helping to locate former players from all over the world in order to help celebrate this historic event.
Monday, 9 November 2009 10:59 PM
Most of us just sit back in the comfort of our lounges and admire the sublime skills and performances of the world’s elite footballers. Pay TV has ensured that any worthwhile game across the globe is only a press of a button away from our remote control as long as we’re prepared to get up at any ungodly hour required, since there’s a different beauty in watching a game live without knowing the result. We’re all taken aback by the stratospheric salaries, the intrigues surrounding upcoming big-name transfer deals, the often sold-out capacity stadiums and the fans’ adulation of their heroes that knows no bounds. For the majority of us, self-conscious of our lack of physical prowess, will always be followers, admirers and aficionados of the world’s greatest game. However, that’s not the case for all. How many youngsters in Australia harbour dreams of playing on the world stage and emulating their heroes? Literally tens of thousands! You see them daily in the street and in training sessions, wearing their favourite strips. It’s obligatory to have the back of football jerseys embossed with the name of their star player: Ronaldo, Torres, Messi, Gerrard are some of the few. How many of these aspiring youngsters will reach these elite football ranks? A handful at best but countless will make the attempt! Dreams are not quashed that easily, they are immune to statistical reality.
But what does it take to play professional football? What are some of the rigours that one must endure? One group of fortunate youngsters and their accompanying parents has just been exposed to this arduous journey. The South Melbourne FC Under12 football team under the supervision of coach Ange Dallas, has recently returned from a two week tour of England. The schedule was hectic. It began with a tour of Wembley and an intensive two day training session at the David Beckham academy in London. Several friendly matches were played against academy and academy-related teams from Tottenham Hotspurs, Reading, Blackburn and Bolton. The team performed admirably, winning two matches and narrowly losing the other two, with 2-1 scorelines. The whole group was hosted for lunch at the John Madejski school in Reading, a state of the art facility that ensures the educational needs of boys are not ignored while developing their football talents. There were also visits to Liverpool’s Anfield and Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadiums. In the evenings the group was able to experience first hand the atmosphere and passion of English football crowds by attending several EPL and Champions League matches.
At Tottenham’s White Hart Lane, after being put through a gruelling two hour training session, the team was paid a surprise visit by Spurs’ star midfielder David Bentley. He fielded questions by the boys and provided insights on professional football life. Later on the boys were mesmerised by a breathtaking freestyle display by football tricks master, Billy Wingrove.
What impressed everyone on the tour were the quality of infrastructure and the level of professionalism at the clubs that hosted them. Even at this young level, kids are expected to train a minimum of 15-20 hours a week. Such is the dedication required. Despite boys starting at academies at young ages, serious talent-spotting and fast-tracking doesn’t usually occur until the ages of 14-15, simply because the onset of puberty and adolescence is such a wild card. A boy’s size, height and strength can change so drastically in just a few years. Overall the trip was quite an eye-opener for all involved, from being exposed to the mechanics of football club operations to appreciating the level of hard work and commitment required to reach the top level. All the clubs commented that although they receive foreign teams often, this was the first time they had hosted such a young team from Australia. They didn’t know what to expect but were quite impressed and keen to foster links with South Melbourne FC. The steep costs and the enormous organisational effort to pull off such a trip shouldn’t be underestimated. The invaluable lessons and the everlasting memories gained from the tour will no doubt be talked about for years to come by the youngsters and their parents. We wish the boys every future success.
Thursday, 29 October 2009 2:59 PM
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that the 50th Year Anniversary Gala Ball has been completely SOLD OUT.
With the final tickets being sold this morning, the club is expecting a crowd in excess of 650 guests to attend the celebration.
The club however will be compiling a waiting list for those who have missed out on a ticket. This list will give those on it first preference in the event of a ticket cancellation. To register yourself for this list, please contact Nicki on 9645 9797.
SMFC will like to thank the Blue and White faithful for such an outstanding response to the night and we look forward to seeing you at Palladium at Crown on November 7th.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 11:14 AM
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that the 50th Year Anniversary Gala Ball is nearing upon a complete sell-out, with only a couple of tables remaining to be sold.
With over 600 guests in attendance, the club urges all SMFC fans and members to book a seat to this historic event to avoid the disappointment of missing out. The deadline for ticket sales is Friday October 30th, with the event expected to completely sell-out in the next couple of days.
Should the tickets sell-out, the club will also be compiling a waiting list of those who are still interested in attending, with the view that these people will be given a chance to purchase tickets should any further room be found.
This once-in-a-lifetime event will focus on all eras of the club’s history, and the players who took to the field throughout them, including the merger between Hellenic, Yarra Park and South Melbourne United in 1959, the successful state league campaigns of the 1960s and ’70s, the history of the club in the National Soccer League and, of course, representing Australia proudly on the world stage at the 2000 World Club Championships.
Many former players, sponsors, administrators and volunteers who have been associated with the club throughout its enviable history have already confirmed their attendance to reminisce about their experiences with the famous Blue and Whites.
As part of the night, the club will also showcase a vast array of footage that has never been released to the public.
Don’t miss out and book your seat today before it’s too late.
Thursday, 22 October 2009 12:52 PM
South Melbourne FC is thrilled to announce a special event commemorating and celebrating the 50th anniversary of SMFC.
Special guest presenter and media identity Les Murray will take part in bringing together 50 years of the most famous and successful club in the nation into one special function.
This once-in-a-lifetime event will focus on all eras of the club’s history, and the players who took to the field throughout them, including the merger between Hellenic, Yarra Park and South Melbourne United in 1959, the successful state league campaigns of the 1960s and ’70s, the history of the club in the National Soccer League and, of course, representing Australia proudly on the world stage at the 2000 World Club Championships.
Many former players, sponsors, administrators and volunteers who have been associated with the club throughout its enviable history will be in attendance to reminisce about their experiences with the famous Blue and Whites.
Tickets are strictly limited, so we recommended you book your place for this historic night by calling Nicki in the SMFC Office on (03) 9645 9797
Monday, 12 October 2009 10:00 AM
The Valkanis family would like to invite all South Melbourne FC members and fans to a tavern night at Bob Jane Stadium.
Date: Friday October 23rd
Time: 7pm onwards
Cost: $25 per person (set menu)
Each table will be provided with a free bottle of wine.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009 9:50 AM
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce that club legend Vaughan Coveny has been appointed as the new senior coach for the 2010 Victorian Premier League season.
Coveny will now coach the club that he has spent twelve seasons at as a player in both National League and State League levels. Coveny represented South in 295 league games, making him the third highest games holder at South, behind only Paul Trimboli (430) and Steve Blair (338). He has also scored 102 league goals for the club, with only Paul Trimboli (115) ahead of him.
Affectionately known as the ‘Horse’, Coveny won two National Soccer League championships with South and was part of the team that represented the club at the FIFA World Club Championships in Brazil in 2000.
Other trophies he has won during his time at Bob Jane Stadium include the NSL Cup, Dockerty Cup, Tynan-Eyre Cup and Hellenic Cup.
During his playing career, Vaughan was a key member of the leadership group, captaining the club in the NSL and remaining an important role model in the VPL. As such, he has proven to be a true leader on and off the field, assisting the coaching staff in grooming the young up and coming footballers.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Vaughan was excited about starting his new role at the club.
“I am honoured to have been given an opportunity to serve this great club as both a player and now as a coach. I am confident that along with my assistant David Lugli and the rest of the football staff at SMFC, we can bring the success to the club which I have been fortunate enough to experience as a player”, said Coveny.
The Club is excited to have Vaughan as the senior coach and is looking forward to seeing the former New Zealand international implement his vision and strategies in season 2010.
Coveny will be assisted by David Lugli, who has been appointed as Assistant Coach for the 2010 season. David has been coaching the club for one season already, successfully guiding the Under 21 side to second place in the 2009 season. He has also played a major part in the development of many juniors over the years and will provide invaluable assistance to Vaughan and the Football Department.
The club wishes both Vaughan Coveny and David Lugli all the best for 2010.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 1:01 PM
South Melbourne FC would like to announce that applications for all Junior and Youth (U/21) coaching positions for the 2010 season are NOW open!!
To register your interest, please download and fill out the coaching form below.