South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of Francesco Stella for the 2017 NPL Victoria season, with the midfielder joining from Norwegian Second Division Club Nest Sotra.
Stella re-joins South 8 years following his initial debut with the club, with the former SMFC Under 21 Player of the Year having already played 19 matches across two seasons in a SMFC shirt. His attacking flair and speed saw him move overseas at the end of the 2009 season, signing for Italian Club Siena.
In recent seasons, Stella has spent time with A-League teams Melbourne Victory and Central Coast, Scottish giants Rangers, as well as Avondale in the NPL Victoria competition.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Football Director Nicholas Maikousis welcome Stella back to Lakeside Stadium. “We’d like to welcome Francesco back to the club and are excited that we have a player with A-League and International experience join the club for the upcoming season. As someone who understands what it means to play for the club, we hope we can see the best of him throughout the upcoming season.”
We would like to wish Francesco all the best for the 2017 season.
South Melbourne FC would like to confirm that Championship Winner and Club Hall of Fame Member Mathew Theodore has stepped aside from football in 2017 due to increased work commitments.
Theodore joined the club in 2014 from Dandenong Thunder and immediately made an impact at Lakeside, helping the club win the inaugural NPL Championship and proving to be one of the more damaging attacking midfielders in the competition.
He continued this form in 2015, with the club winning the Dockerty Cup and the Premiers Plate, as well as qualifying for the FFA Cup Round of 32. Despite a difficult season due to injury and increased work-related activities, he would add to this in 2016, claiming his second Championship with South, following our Grand Final victory over Oakleigh Cannons.
We will remember Matty as not only a wonderful footballer, but a fantastic person around the club that will be missed throughout 2017.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, an emotional Theodore thanked the Blue and White Army for the support over the past three seasons. “It was quite a special three seasons for me and I’d like to thank everyone at the club for their support, including Senior Coach Chris Taylor who showed quite a bit of faith in me as a footballer. I am also thankful for the support by all the support staff, board and the passionate supporters who made it a pleasure to play each week for the club. I am going to miss being a part of it, but will be a supporter from the sidelines”
Senior Coach Chris Taylor spoke highly of Theodore. “Matty has been a crucial member of the squad and club for the past three seasons and we will miss him. Throughout my time as a coach it would be hard to find a better technical player at this level, and a more humble and likeable character. We’re certainly going to miss his ability on the park, but more so having him around the club as one of the nice guys of Victorian football.”
We’d love to thank Matty Theodore for his 72 matches in South colours, where he also managed to scored 12 crucial goals along the way.
South Melbourne FC is pleased to announce the signing of Stefan Zinni from Melbourne City for the 2017 NPL Victoria season.
In his three seasons with City, Zinni took part in four senior matches throughout the A-League and FFA Cup competitions, whilst mainly featuring in their youth and NPL team. Throughout this period, the quick winger managed seven goals and provided a threat every time he went forward.
However, Zinni is remembered around South for his commitment to the club through the SMFC Youth Program. This includes previously playing as a South Junior for eleven seasons, as well as also playing a lead role in our Under 20s in 2014 prior to his A-League move.
The signing of the dynamic 20-year-old ensures that Chris Taylor has another attacking option for the 2017 season, where he is expected to add some speed and quality down the right-hand side of the park. He’s also following in the footsteps of his father, possessing similar traits that Andrew Zinni had when playing NSL football for Brunswick Juventus and Preston as well as the Socceroos.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Zinni was excited to return home. “There is no other way to put it, I’m happy to be home and at a club that has played a large part in my life for over a decade. While I enjoyed my time in the A-League and thank City for the opportunity, there is something exciting about putting on the South shirt and the badge that is familiar with most of my football to date. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully I will be able to add something different to the team. My dream was always to be a South senior player, so to have that chance is extremely exciting.”
In one of his last matches at South Melbourne, Zinni scored a hat-trick at George Andrews Reserves as the Under 20s defeated the Thunder 0-4.
Football Director Nicholas Maikousis also shared Zinni’s excitement. “Stefan is a South boy, who has made his way through our ranks and into our Senior Squad. He commenced his football at the club in the Under 8’s, so it’s fantastic to see products of our youth setup beginning to make their way into the first team and forming a large part of our future. We wish him all the best for 2017 and beyond.”
We’d like to welcome Stefan back home to Lakeside Stadium and look forward to seeing him in a senior shirt throughout the season.
South Melbourne FC is proud to announce that it has promoted Youth player Joshua Hodes to the Senior Roster for the 2017 NPL Victoria season.
Hodes was identified by Sasa Kolman three years ago during Pre-Season and has been a standout performer, including winning the Club’s Under 20s Player of the Year in 2016. His performance was also rewarded during the 2016 season by being selected and playing in a senior team match, as well as training with the seniors on a full-time basis.
Hodes is a composed and talented right-back, with not only the ability to shut his opponent down, but to also push forward and attack down the right-hand side of the park. Through the tutorage of his coaches throughout his time with the club, Josh has also gained the confidence to do this at a higher senior level at a young age through his interaction with the senior team.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Youth Director Andrew Mesourouni was elated to see Joshua formally join the Senior Team. “We are all extremely excited to see Joshua formally join the Senior Squad for the upcoming season. While Joshua has joined on a full-time basis, there are also many of our Under 20s players from 2016 who have already joined the Senior Squad for the Pre-Season and will also be pushing for senior team selection throughout 2017. The Club is focussed on its youth and will be giving them every opportunity to experience life as a senior footballer wherever possible. It is a very exciting time for our club, with 5 members of our senior team to date under the age of 20, with Chris Taylor a firm believer also of giving our youth products an opportunity”
When interviewed, Hodes was equally excited. “I can’t thank the club enough for the amazing opportunity. To firstly be given the chance to train with the club in 2016 and then to receive a senior team appearance was phenomenal, but to now be a senior player is surreal. Though the hard work starts now, I’ve extremely grateful and excited to be working with Chris Taylor, Sasa Kolman and the Senior Team.
We welcome Josh to the Senior Team and look forward to seeing him in our shirt once again in 2017.
South Melbourne is pleased to confirm that Ajdin Fetahagić has become Chris Taylor’s third signing ahead of the 2017 NPL season.
The tough centre-back began his senior career with Queensland side Western Pride before signing his first professional contract with FK Velez Mostar in Bosnia. Having spent time abroad, Fetahagić returned home to play with Queensland Lions last season, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals in all competitions.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Football Director Nicholas Maikousis was pleased to have Fetahagić sign for the club. “AJ is the third Queenslander to join the club for the 2017 season and we believe he will add something significant to our defensive stocks. He’s a big and effective central defender and we hope he can work well with our existing defenders to form a solid unit.”
The 19-year-old arrives at Lakeside Stadium with a winning mentality, having been an integral part of the Lions team who were crowned 2016 Brisbane Premier League Champions.
We welcome Ajdin to the club and wish him the best for 2017 and beyond.
South Melbourne are delighted to announce the signing of Luke Pavlou for the upcoming 2017 NPL season.
The 19-year-old, who plays as a central midfielder, began his Senior career with Queensland side Eastern Suburbs before moving onto the Brisbane Roar youth team, where he made 19 appearances.
After impressing Interim Coach at the time Frans Thijssen, Pavlou was drafted into the Roar’s senior squad, making his debut as a second-half substitute against Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium. He then went on to play with Brisbane City for the 2016 season.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Football Director Nick Maikousis was pleased with the acquisition. “We would like to welcome Luke to the club and look forward to him adding some quality in the middle of the park for us. He comes to the club with national league experience, so we look forward to having him part of the club”.
The Queenslander becomes our second signing of the summer following the arrival of Jesse Daley.
South Melbourne FC would like to confirm the signing of former Brisbane Roar Youth Captain and Young Socceroo Jesse Daley for the next two NPL seasons.
The 19-Year-Old attacking minded midfielder joins the club after a strong season in the NPL Queensland competition, playing a dominant role for the A-League outfit, scoring on 9 occasions in 19 appearances.
He subsequently spent a large portion of the Pre-Season training with the Senior Squad, before opting to move to South Melbourne FC.
Daley will provide the club with another hard working midfield option, whilst also giving the team some additional flair moving forward.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Daley was excited to be joining the club. “It’s great to be in Melbourne and to be given an opportunity with such a big club. I look forward to meeting my teammates and settling into the pre-season ahead of what promises to be a huge 2017. I can’t wait!”.
SMFC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis was also excited about the signing. “We’d like to welcome Jesse to the club and hope he can have an impact in 2017. Looking at his pedigree and form with Brisbane Roar, we are excited to have him part of our club in 2017.”
We wish Jesse all the best for 2017 and welcome him to the SMFC family.
South Melbourne FC is excited to unveil Luvarc as the club’s Major Partner for the 2017 National Premier Leagues season.
As part of the agreement, the Luvarc logo will be proudly displayed on all of the club’s Puma attire (Male and Female), including on the front of the home and away playing shirt of all ages and teams.
Luvarc is driven to create landmark projects and undertake development opportunities that offer compelling investment potential. Luvarc’s developments are marked by an astute response to their environment, providing stylish and serene homes for those who inhabit them. They are always well considered and finished in every detail from concept to completion.
Working with leading architects and consultants who share the Luvarc passion for quality, Luvarc are dedicated to designing inspiring homes that represent the finest examples of contemporary living.
Speaking to smfc.com.au, Luvarc Managing Director Louisa Chen was excited for the upcoming season and partnership with the club.. “We would like to thank SMFC President Leo Athanasakis for this opportunity. It is a huge honour for Luvarc to be the next Major Sponsor of a club that is so committed and so passionate in pursuing football excellence. The Luvarc team is excited and overwhelmed by the warmest welcome into the South Melbourne FC family”
South Melbourne FC President Leo Athanasakis was also pleased with the new partnership. “Louisa and her team at Luvarc have shown considerable faith in our club and the South Melbourne brand. We’re excited to welcome our new Major Partner to the SMFC family and we are equally excited to see the Luvarc brand appear on the front of our shirt. On behalf of the entire club, we would like to thank them for their incredible support to date.”
Stay tuned to our website and social media in the coming months for further details regarding the partnership, including unveiling our 2017 Puma apparel range.
South Melbourne FC is excited to announce the winning raffle ticket numbers for the 2016 Club Raffle. The draw was conducted at the SMFC Presentation Night, held at Bayview Eden Melbourne on October 22nd.
4th prize winner of the Ben Q Electro Static Speaker
Ticket Number – 07448
3rd prize winner of the 2 night stay at the Bayview Eden Hotel (with breakfast included)
Ticket Number – 07433
2nd prize winner of the $1,000 Bob Jane T-Marts Voucher
Ticket Number – 08211
1st prize winner of the 2 economy class tickets to Europe courtesy of Air Serbia
Ticket Number – 02587
All winners will be contacted directly to claim their prize.
