Category: News

Friday, 22 August 2003 12:00 AM

Last weekend, new assistant coach Ken Murphy took his players to the battlefields of Cold Stream to take part in a team bonding paint-ball excursion. While still owning bruises from their experiences, all those who attended said it was a great day.

The highlight of the afternoon was the shootout between Ken Murphy and Vaughan Coveny, the duel ending in multiple bruises to Vaughan. New recruit Lev Osman had an up and down day, firstly being the hero by stealing the opposition flag to win a game. This all came apart in the last game of the afternoon when he slipped over and could not get up before being surrounded by half a dozen opposition players who proceeded to empty their bullets while he lay helpless on the ground.

Fans will be happy to know that no serious injuries were reported from the day although a few egos may need repairing.

Ken and all the players would like to thank those who sponsored the trip for an ejoyable and team-bonding experience.

Friday, 22 August 2003 12:00 AM

With only a day to go to the big clash of Remember The Titans, What a great line-up with 12 Socceroos fielding Bob Jane Stadium on Saturday at 5:00pm.

South Melbourne Legends Line-Up
1. Peter Laumets
2. David Clarkson
3. John Batticciotto
4. Jim Kalambokis
5. Kris Kalifatidis
6. Alan Davidson
7. Jason Polak
8. Bill Rogers
9. Bobby McGinnes
10. Kimon Taliadoros
11. George Campbell
12. Oscar Crino
13. Tony Koutrouvelis
14. Peter Papaconstandino
15. Angelo Tsomas

Coach – Manny Poulakakis
Assistant Coach – Jimmy Armstrong
Team Manager – Con Mandalis

Heidelberg United Legends Line-Up
1. Jeff Olver
2. Peter Blaysby
3. John Anastasiadis
4. Andy Bozikas
5. Ken Taylor
6. Peter Tsolakis
7. Claude Lucchessi
8. Gary Cole
9. Michael Stogiannou
10. Phil Stubbins
11. Alex Nelson
12. Stuart Cannell
13. John Kanesoulis
14. Steve Marley
15. Doug Hodgson
16. Jimmy O’Reilly
17. Marcus Karapatsos
18. Jimmy Rooney
19. Theo Selemidis
20. Jimmy Campbell
21. Jamie Paton

Coach – Arthur McMillan

Monday, 18 August 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club proudly announces that Quit is continuing its sponsorship with South Melbourne for the 03/04 season. In announcing this sponsorship, South Melbourne has assured Quit that Bob Jane Stadium will be completly smokefree. Smoking restrictions within the stadium will be enforced however provisions will be made for smokers to leave the stadium and smoke outside. Quit is providing the club with valueable sponsorship dollars and South Melbourne is looking forward to a long and successful partnership with VicHealth.

Sunday, 17 August 2003 12:00 AM

By Markian Jaworsky

A cool finish by Adrian Cervinski on 20 minutes, was not enough to keep South Melbourne from victory in a friendly today at Green Gully Reserve.

Ian Dobson started the same XI players in this friendly as last week’s starting XI against the Preston Lions. Green Gully looked very strong in the first half, and South Melbourne spent a lot of time chasing the ball. However, on the stroke of halftime, Referee Dominic Barba ignored the offside call from the linesman and South Melbourne scored through one of their new signings.

Gully coach Ian Dobson, in preparation for next Sunday’s Victorian Premier League Grand Final at Melbourne Knights Stadium (6:00pm kick-off), shuffled his side in the second half, and gave all substitutes (K.McIvor, J.Bosnic, T.Waterson, A.Magnacca, N.Lazarevski, C.Azzopardi) a run.

With just 20 minutes to play, Con Boutsianis (who has finished his loan spell with Heidelberg) volleyed to put South 2-1 in front, and shortly after Paul Trimboli scored a world class goal with the outside of his boot, which curled into the top corner from outside the area. Definately worth viewing.

Final score: Green Gully Cavaliers 1 (1) South Melbourne 3 (1)

Special thanks for the co-operation of the Green Gully Soccer Club.

Highlights of this match, now available on Green Gully Vision.

Friday, 15 August 2003 12:00 AM

Inflated egos filled the room for the media launch of the Heidelberg Legends game. Despite the intense on-field rivalry and competitiveness between South Melbourne and Heidelberg United, the Legends from each side interacted and joked like old friends. Emcee for the night George Donikian told the audience of his own memories of the fierce battles between these two clubs, “South versus Heidelberg was as big as you could get”.

As each player was interviewed by George, overstated confidence shone through. South legend George Campbell remarked “we haven’t done any training but we’re always confident at Hellas”. Sensing another tough battle, Allan Davidson said “I hope I’ve got my shingurads on!”. While competitiveness between the two teams is still evident, winning the game is now about bragging rights rather than points. Throughout the night, all the Legends mentioned the importance of such occasions and thanked both South Melbourne and Heidelberg for organising such a special event. Respecting the past is a rarity in Australian Soccer and this is surely the first step to paying tribute to the Legends who gave us so many memories.

Thursday, 14 August 2003 12:00 AM

By Michael Tsoukalis

South have continued their pre-season dominance comfortably accounting for State 1 battlers Northcote City with the final score ending up 4 goals to Nil in favour of the Lakesiders.

The game was played in atrocious conditions with both the pitch and lighting well below par.

Standouts for South were Coveny and Murdocca, both players have been in great pre-season form and have showed ominous signs that come the start of the season proper both will be crucial to South’s plight. Vince Lia also deserves a mention for a more than competent display.

South trialists Steve Lawrie, Marcus Stergiopoulos and Sam DeVito – a youngster who spent last season playing first team football at Bentleigh Greens – all looked more than assured and far from out of place. DeVito occupied the left back role and showed himself a decent prospect. Coach Stuart Munro and assistant Ken Murphy are no doubt close to finalising their playing squad for the upcoming season with both coaches commentating that all trialists have acquitted themselves very well and haven’t placed a foot wrong.

Ken Murphy perhaps best summed up the current state the playing squad finds itself in, stating that “We’re moving along fine, our attacking play is coming along very promisingly, furthermore, Durakovic and Kovacevic are showing signs that they will form a formidable defensive core for the upcoming season”.

Friday, 8 August 2003 12:00 AM

Tonight South Melbourne will be training at Whitten Oval, home of the AFL’s Western Bulldogs. If tonight’s session goes well, this venue could become a regular preseason training ground for South. Training will commence at 6:00pm.

Location: Barkly St, Footscray, Melways: 41 K4.

Thursday, 7 August 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club has a new addition to their coaching staff. Stuart Munro welcomes former South Melbourne star and Hall of Champions inductee, Ken Murphy as assistant coach. Ken has previously been coaching at Essendon Royals SC and is excited about his return to South. Ken’s soccer experience extends to Scottish club Dundee United and numerous Australian caps. Lets hope Ken and Stuart can lead South Melbourne Soccer Club into finals action this season.

Thursday, 7 August 2003 12:00 AM

South Melbourne 4 defeated Stonington 0
Goals: Curijia 2, Coveny 1, Trimboli 1

In typically Melbournian winter weather South continued their pre-season “romp” easily accounting for Stonnington City by 4 goals to Nil.

New Zealand international Vaughn Coveny opened proceedings early on scoring a great goal and giving the few fans who braved the conditions something to cheer about. However, the South supporters present, no doubt attended to view the debut of Dutch import Max Lohy who caught the eye in his first game. Lohy showed silky skills and immaculate ball control, general consensus was that his presence at Bob Jane Stadium this year should help bring some flair back to South’s play.

To Stonnington’s credit they put on a brave fight limiting the potency of South’s forward line and restricting the Lakesiders to only 1 goal in the first half.

The second goal came after Coveny crossed for South stalwart Paul Trimboli who had little trouble slotting the ball home to make it 2-0.

Michael Curcija showing increased sharpness from his spell abroad rounded off the scoring with two second-half goals, his first a quality turn past his man with an equally impressive finish to match. Curcija then had little trouble beating the Stonnington keeper in a one-on-one duel after he had been played through by the South midfield, Curcija picked his spot well, placing cleanly into the bottom left corner.

Of the players on trial, Steve Lawrie impressed with his commanding presence and solid communication to his fellow defensive partners, a decision on whether or not he will be offered a contract is expected within the next week or so.

Tuesday, 5 August 2003 12:00 AM

On Saturday the 2nd August, Captain Paul Trimboli made a special visit to wish one of South’s most courageous supporters, Dimitri a happy 19th birthday. Dimitri unfortunately has an inoperable brain tumour and is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy. As they surrounded him on this special day, his family expressed their hope for a full recovery and were elated with Paul’s generosity. On his 19th birthday, Dimitri was presented with club merchandise and a fully signed strip by the whole team and he now awaits the opportunity to toss the coin at a South home game.

Dimitri, your courage has uplifted all of us at South Melbourne Soccer Club and we wish you and your family the best of luck for the coming future.