Category: News

Wednesday, 25 September 2002 12:00 AM

Two goals either side of the break saw South Melbourne go down to Newcastle in the 2002/2003 season opener at Newcastle last Friday night.

In the last two encounters away to Newcastle, South Melbourne has played out two draws, and with Newcastle’s 3rd place finish last season, coach Danny Wright was justified in saying, in the lead up to the match, that the road trip two Newcastle would be one of the toughest this season.

Newcastle’s two goals came from corners, in the 43rd and 47th minutes, from Griffiths and Baillie respectively. Danny Wright was obviously disappointed with the result but was more upset in the manner in which the two goals were conceded.

“The two goals, two minutes either side of the break, shows a lack of concentration. We need to be disciplined for the full 90 minutes not just 85 minutes”.

“In general play we more than matched Newcastle and the longer the game went scoreless we began to take control in the midfield”.

“Going two goals down in the space of 4minutes from two corner kicks put us on the back foot and never really recovered”, says the South Melbourne coach.

South Melbourne has the Bye this weekend but the Lakeside Oval will be opened on Sunday as the Club holds a Family Day at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday, 29 October 2002 beginning at 1.00PM.

Round 1 – SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD
1 Dean Anastasiadis (gk)
2 Steve Iosifidis
3 Fausto De Amicis
4 Mehmet Durakovic
5 Robert Liparoti
6 David Clarkson (-62′)
8 Vaughan Coveny
9 Paul Trimboli
12 Radomir Sekulovski (-62′)
16 Massimo Murdocca
19 Patrick Kisnorbo
13 Vince Lia (+62′)
15 Nick Tolios
17 Michael Baird (+62′)
23 Eugen Galekovic (gk)

Friday, 20 September 2002 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club will tonight line up with the Laiki Bank on the front of it’s playing strips, when the Club takes on Newcastle in the opening encounter of the 2002/2003 National Soccer League season.

Laiki Bank has had a strong partnership with the club for a number of years and as announced at last weeks Season Launch, will proudly be South Melbourne’s Major Sponsor in season 2002/2003.

South Melbourne is delighted to be associated with the Laiki Bank, which has branches in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and are partnered by world wide HSBC.

The Club looks forward to continuing its partnership with the popular bank and creating a successful relationship.

“We are thrilled with the Laiki Bank’s commitment to the Club and are delighted to have them on board as the Club’s Major Sponsor in season 2002/2003”.

“Through our positive relationship, I am sure South Melbourne can assist with the steady growth of the Laiki Bank in Australia. Our partnership will continue to develop and I urge all supporters and members to utilise the services of Laiki Bank as well as support all the Club’s sponsors”, says General Manager Steve Blair.

South Melbourne takes on Newcastle in tonight’s season opener at Energy Australia Stadium. Kick Off 7.30 PM.

Friday, 20 September 2002 12:00 AM

Date: Friday 20 September 2002
Venue: Energy Australia Stadium
Kickoff: 7.30pm

HEAD TO HEAD (Overall):
Played: 4 Newcastle wins 1, Sth Melb wins 1, Draws 2

HEAD TO HEAD (at Newcastle):
Played: 2(Regular Season) Newcastle wins 0, Sth Melb wins 0, Draws 2

NEWSCASTLE UNITED SQUAD:
D Beltrame (gk), S Baillie, A Roberts, R Middleby, M Blagojevic, A Griffiths, J Griffiths, R Griffiths, S Eagleton, S Thomas, E Masi, T Dodd, P Tsekenis, A Moreira, T Willis (gk)

SOUTH MELBOURNE SQUAD:
D Anastasiadis (gk), S Iosifidis, F De Amicis, M Durakovic, V Coveny, P Trimboli, R Sekulovski, P Kisnorbo, M Murdocca, V Lia, D Clarkson, R Liparoti, N Tolios, M Baird, E Galekovic (gk)

Tuesday, 17 September 2002 12:00 AM

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to watch South Melbourne’s final training session, mingle with the players, buy your membership and have a bite to eat.

South Melbourne will now be training tomorrow evening behind the Grand Prix Pit Building which is located on Aughtie Drive, Albert Park and not Bob Jane Stadium as previously advised.

The squad will fly to Newcastle on Thursday afternoon for the Round 1 opener at Energy Australia Stadium this Friday night. Coach Danny Wright is quietly confident of a result and believes his squad well prepared for what will be a demanding schedule under the revamped competition.

“We always welcome the participation at the Club of our great supporters and our training sessions are always accessible”.

“It means a lot to the players to know that you are behind the squad and will help drive us to bigger and better things this season”, says the South coach.

South Melbourne final pre-season training session commences at 6.00PM and Danny Wright along with his squad looks forward to seeing you at training tomorrow evening.

BBQ WITH THE PLAYERS
Final Training Session
Behind Grand Prix Pit Buildings
Aughtie Drive, Albert Park
Commencing: 6.00PM

Tuesday, 17 September 2002 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club in conjunction with TVH are proud to announce that a weekly half hour soccer show will be shown on Channel 31 between 9.00 PM and 9.30 PM every Wednesday.

The South Melbourne Soccer Show will commence tomorrow evening with a special one-hour program, which includes highlights of the Tynan-Eyre Cup Final, 2002 Season Launch and player interviews.

Future shows will focus on South Melbourne, news and results from the National Soccer League, feature stories and special guest appearances.

South Melbourne’s General Manager Steve Blair is delighted with the show and is looking forward to watching the program tomorrow evening.

“This is another example of South Melbourne taking the initiative to promote the game of soccer to the Victorian public and setting the standard that is come to be expected of Australia’s successful soccer club.

“The Club has created the perfect opportunity for fans to support the National Soccer League, giving the sport greater television exposure which it rightfully deserves”.

“I would like to extend the Clubs sincere thanks to TVH and Daytec Australia who are proudly sponsoring the South Melbourne Soccer Show”, says Steve Blair.

South Melbourne encourages all soccer fans to tune into the show tomorrow night and support the service South Melbourne Soccer Club is giving back to followers of the world game.

South Melbourne Soccer Show
Wednesday 18 September 2002
Channel 31 – TVH
9.00 PM – 10.00 PM

Monday, 16 September 2002 12:00 AM

South Melbourne Soccer Club joins the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation in condemning the actions of Preston Soccer Club and its supporters at yesterday’s final of the Tynan-Eyre Cup.

South Melbourne had requested additional security and police presence for the match at Bob Jane Stadium after crowd trouble involving Preston fans at the recent Victorian Soccer Federation Grand Final, also held at Bob Jane Stadium.

South Melbourne urges the Victoria Police and Victorian Soccer Federation to take the appropriate action against Preston and its supporters. Whilst remaining committed to the Tynan-Eyre Cup – a charitable Victoria Police fund-raising tournament played in memory of murdered policemen Stephen Tynan and Damien Eyre – South Melbourne will not allow any fixture involving the Preston Soccer Club to be held at Bob Jane Stadium and nor will it play further matches against Preston.

In calling for strong measures against Preston and its supporters, South Melbourne believes the game of soccer can not allow the actions of a small minority to undermine the collective efforts to provide a welcoming environment and entertaining product for all Australians.

Thursday, 12 September 2002 12:00 AM

For the first time in Tynan Eyre Cup history two NSL Club’s will not contest the Grand Final. Melbourne Knights defeated Fawkner 1 – 0 and finished on the same points as South and Preston, but missed out on goal difference.

South Melbourne will now take on old foe and Premier League Champions Preston Lions in the final of the Tynan Eyre Cup this Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium commencing at 4.00 PM.

For the second time in as many weeks, South Melbourne defeated the Knights, last Sunday after a 25 metre cracker from David Clarkson in the dying moments of the game. After Round 2, the Blue & Whites went clear top on six points with the Knights and Preston on three each.

In the Round 3 match held at Bullen last night, South fielded a young starting line with eight experienced senior players not starting or unavailable. Only three substitutions were made in South Melbourne’s 0 – 1 loss to Preston.

The 2002 Tynan Eyre Cup final promises to be a most exciting and passionate affair. Don’t miss out on your chance to see South Melbourne play it’s final pre-season match before the commencement of the National Soccer League next Friday night.

2002 Tynan Eyre Cup Final
South Melbourne v Preston
Sunday, 15 September 2002
Bob Jane Stadium
Kick Off: 4.00PM

In the curtain raiser, Melbourne Knights will take on Fawkner in the 3rd and 4th play off. Kick off at 2.00PM.

Team P W D L F A GA PTS
Preston 3 2 0 1 8 6 2 0
South Melbourne 3 2 0 1 3 1 2 3
Melbourne Knights 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 3
Fawkner 3 0 0 3 3 8 -5 0

Friday, 6 September 2002 12:00 AM

South Melbourne will kick off it’s 2002/2003 campaign a week in advance, when the Club hosts it’s annual Season Launch at the Powerhouse in Albert Park. Not only will South open it’s season in fine style, but gives you the chance to be part of the squad in South’s away clash to Newcastle.

The Season Launch will be held on Friday 13 September 2002 at 7.00PM. All players will be presented with their playing strips and permanent numbers for the upcoming season.

South Melbourne will also unveil their 2002/2003 apparel sponsor and give you the chance to mingle with the players before their on field opener in Newcastle on September 20.

Sponsors, members and supporters have the opportunity to sponsor a player for the 2002/2003 season as well as purchase two wonderful prizes. You have the chance to purchase one nights accommodation in Tasmania travelling with the Spirit of Tasmania.

Also South Melbourne will give you the opportunity to be a team member. You will fly to Newcastle with the team, eat with the players, share accommodation, travel to and from the game on the players bus and return to Melbourne with the squad. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to share and experience an away match with your team.

Thursday, 5 September 2002 12:00 AM

The Round 3 Kick- Off times of the 2002 Tynan – Eyre Cup have been switched, with Melbourne Knights v Fawkner Blues now at 8.15 PM instead of 6.15pm. The South Melbourne v Preston Lions game will kick off at 6.15 PM instead of 8.15PM.

There has been no change to the date and venue – Wednesday, September 11, at the Veneto Club, Bulleen.

In Round 1 of the pre-season tournament, South Melbourne defeated Fawkner 2 – 0 and in the late game Melbourne Knights accounted for Premier League Champions, Preston Lions 3 – 2.

All four teams had to deal with rainy and very windy conditions making it difficult for the competing sides. 2000 patrons braved the terrible weather conditions, at Green Gully Reserve on Monday night (2-9-02) with Tynan – Eyre Cup Chairman Ron Sinclair saying “it was an enormous success”.

“The feedback I received whilst mingling with the crowd was that the format was very appealing to them”.

“The staff and administration of Green Gully Soccer Club must be commended for their professionalism. Their helpfulness to participating teams and members of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was of the highest order. Without this sort of support, the Tynan-Eyre Cup could not even get off the ground”, says Sinclair.

In Round 2, South Melbourne will take on Melbourne Knights in the clash of the NSL Clubs, while in the early game Fawkner will look to avenge their Premier League Grand Final loss when they take on Preston. Both matches will be held at Bentleigh Greens Soccer Club this Sunday, 8 September 2002. Details are as follows:

Preston v Fawkner
Sunday, 8 September 2002
Bentleigh Greens Soccer Club, Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
301 Centre Dandenong Road, Cheltenham. Mel 87 F2
Kick Off: 1.30PM

Melbourne Knights v South Melbourne
Bentleigh Greens Soccer Club, Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
301 Centre Dandenong Road, Cheltenham. Mel 87 F2
Kick Off: 1.30PM

Thursday, 5 September 2002 12:00 AM

For your chance to meet the South Melbourne players as well as purchase your membership don’t miss out this fantastic opportunity.

South Melbourne will be present at Oakleigh Shopping Mall in front of Café Frappe a loyal sponsor of the Club (24 Eaton Street, Oakleigh). The players will be available from 9.00 AM until 1.00 PM this Saturday, 7 September 2002.

The Club will hold a free sausage sizzle, promote it’s memberships and give supporters, shoppers and local residents a chance to meet some of the South Melbourne players.

Details are as follows:
Oakleigh Shopping Mall
In front of Cafe Frappe
24 Eaton Street, Oakleigh
Saturday, 7 September 2002
9.00 AM – 11.00 AM

South Melbourne will be playing a friendly match against Oakleigh tonight at Jack Edwards Reserve, Edwards Street, Oakleigh. Kick Off 7.00PM

SOUTH MELBOURNE WOULD LIKE TO THANK CAFE FRAPPE AND LIMNOS BUTCHERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT