South Melbourne FC is delighted to welcome former goalkeeper Peter Gavalas back to the Club as the 2013 VPL Goalkeeper of the Year has signed ahead of the 2015 National Premier League Victoria season.
Gavalas initially arrived at Lakeside Stadium at the beginning of the 2012 Victorian Premier League season. He kept a clean sheet in his debut match against the Moreland Zebras in a 4-0 victory at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday 25 March 2012. In total, he has represented the Club in 47 matches across all competitions (including 44 League matches) and kept ten clean sheets.
Gavalas’ individual efforts in 2013 were recognised when he was announced as the VPL Goalkeeper of the Year, joining Dean Anastasiadis (2005, 2006) and Peter Zois (2010) as the only South Melbourne goalkeepers to have won that award.
Following the conclusion of the 2013 VPL season, he decided to retire to concentrate on his new career as a physiotherapist. At the time of his retirement, he said that “there’s a strong culture and unit forming within the inner sanctum at South and no doubt the boys will achieve a high level of success in 2014.” He was ultimately proven right as South won the inaugural NPL Victoria Championship last year.
After taking a break in 2014, Gavalas has decided to balance his professional career with his football career. He returns to South Melbourne FC in 2015 as the Club seeks its first back-to-back Championships since 1998 and 1999. Speaking to smfc.com.au, Gavalas said “to be honest, having played the game for a large portion of my life, I really did just miss playing football and playing for the Club. The second half of the 2013 season under Chris Taylor was enjoyable… he did bring out the best out of me as a keeper and person during that short time. I hope that being under his wing again in 2015 will enable me to play well for myself and for the Club.”
Also speaking with smfc.com.au, South Melbourne FC Football Director Nicholas Maikousis was happy to see the former goalkeeper return to Lakeside Stadium. ” I am very pleased that Peter is returning to help us try and retain our NPL Victoria crown. After working with him and CT extensively during the second part of 2013, we saw Peter become the best goalkeeper in the competition. Let’s hope we can see him re-capture that form in 2015.”
South Melbourne FC welcomes Peter Gavalas back to the Club and wishes him the best for the 2015 season.