South Melbourne FC
Full name | South Melbourne Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Hellas, | ||
Founded | 1959 | ||
Ground | Lakeside Stadium | ||
Capacity | 12,000 (7,400 seated)[1] | ||
President | Nicholas Maikousis | ||
Chairman | Bill Papastergiadis | ||
Coach | Esteban Quintas | ||
League | NPL Victoria | ||
2023 | 2nd of 14 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
|
South Melbourne Football Club is an Australian semi-professional
The club was founded in 1959 by Greek migrants following World War II as South Melbourne hellas (Greek: Νότια Μελβούρνη Ελλάς), with a basis in the Greek community.
The club has won four Australian national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, numerous Dockerty Cups and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. Along with the Marconi Stallions, they were one of two clubs to compete in every season of the National Soccer League.
The club was chosen by the
History
Formation
South Melbourne was formed in 1959 with the amalgamation of three struggling Melbourne soccer clubs—South Melbourne United, the oldest of the three clubs with a history dating back to the early 1900s—the Greek-backed Yarra Park Aias (Ajax), and Hellenic.[3][4] Theo Marmaras, initiator of the merger proposal and president of Hellenic, became the first president of the new club.[3] In recognition of the large Greek Australian support base of Hellenic and Yarra Park, which were also the best-supported of the three clubs, the new club was named South Melbourne Hellas, the name by which it was to be known for the majority of its 50 years. The first emblem reflected the colour scheme of the Greek national flag. The first uniform consisted of jersey of white with a red 'V' around the collar, the was[clarification needed] also that of South Melbourne United, as well as blue shorts and blue and white hooped socks. Later on they would adopt predominantly blue and white strips, with various designs throughout the seasons, with the most common being a predominantly royal blue strip.
1960–1969
South Melbourne won the Victorian First Division (North) championship of 1960,
1970–77
In 1970, the club focused its attention on recruiting local soccer players. It soon signed two players that would become South Melbourne Men's greatest players, Steve Walker and striker Jim Armstrong. South Melbourne missed out on the title by a point in the 1971 season, edged out by Footscray JUST,[8] but with Armstrong scoring goals aplenty, South Melbourne went on to win the championship in 1972.[7] The season also saw coach Bill Curran consolidate the first team's strength by signing midfielder Peter Bourne (Burnley) and promoting highly skilled youngsters Giovanni Barticciotto, Fethon Ileris[4] and Bill Hasapis.[9] The club continued its successful run with the 1974 title,[7] second place in 1975,[10] and with star recruits Jimmy Mackay, Peter Ollerton and Duncan Cummings, capped off its final year in the Victorian State League by winning the 1976 championship.[4]
National Soccer League
South Melbourne joined
1978–89
The recruitment of
After the departure of
On 28 November 1981, South Melbourne Hellas and Melbourne Hakoah announced that they had merged to form a second team for South Melbourne which would compete in the Victorian State League and act as a feeder club to the South Melbourne senior team.
The price paid for 54 years of Hakoah history was $35,000. The merger had been an ongoing discussion between the two co-tenants of Middle Park from the middle of the 1981 season.
The two clubs had shared Middle Park from 1961 until 1981. Melbourne Hakoah cited financial strains and lack of crowd support as the two prime reasons why the club was forced to accept the offer from South Melbourne.
1990–95
The club's change of fortune continued next season, with the club winning its second national championship, beating rivals
The team boasted some of the finest Australian football talent in
Former player Jim Pyrgolios replaced Puskás for the 1992/93 season which saw the club finish first on the points table during the regular season.
Name and emblem change
In 1996, the club was required by
Under new coach and former captain
In the 1998 Grand Final, South Melbourne defeated league newcomer
2000–04 Taking on the World
Grouped with
Prior to the start of the 2001/2002 season, South Melbourne suffered a major blow as Petersen, along with several players including Boutsianis and
Krnčević was replaced by former player Danny Wright for the 2002/03 season, but the club failed to reach the finals by a point.[37] Stuart Munro took over as coach for the 2003/04 season, with the club finishing fifth,[38] eventually being eliminated by a penalty deep into extra time against Adelaide United[39] in what turned out to be South's final game in the NSL.
With the combined factors of the demise of the NSL, and poor financial management, South Melbourne fell into voluntary administration and lost most of its squad. With Melbourne being allocated just one licence for an
Return to Victorian competition
Entering the Victorian Premier League in 2005 as South Melbourne Football Club, and with a new team under former player and new coach John Anastasiadis, the club reached the Preliminary Final of the VPL, going down to their old rivals Heidelberg United.[40] The season was highlighted by fluctuating crowd attendances at home games, national media attention paid to crowd trouble with fans of Preston Lions, but also by good performances by a young and talented side, which before the season had been a relegation favourite.
In 2006, South Melbourne finished third in the table, courtesy of a strong home record, and win their eighth Victorian championship, their first in 30 years, and first since returning to the competition in 2005.
In 2007, South Melbourne had a poor year, finishing in seventh place, missing the finals; after a poor start in 2008, Anastasiadis resigned. With another former player Michael Michalakopoulos taking charge, the team moved away from the relegation zone, but still missed the finals.
The club celebrated its 50th anniversary year during the 2009 season, with several heritage strips and a logo reminiscent of the pre-1990s logo used to mark the occasion. The club secured the services of
The 2010 season saw drastic changes to the club with the re-development of
Meanwhile, the club gained much international recognition with the award of being the Oceania Club of the Century by the
Under Krncevic, the club rallied late in the 2011 VPL season to finish fourth, but had their season ended in a penalty shootout in the semi-final by
In July 2013, Tsolakis resigned from his post after the board sacked five senior squad members without his consultation[43] and the club appointed former Sunshine George Cross, Melbourne Knights and Dandenong Thunder manager Chris Taylor on a two-year deal. South Melbourne finished the season in fourth place.
National Premier League era
In 2014, the club entered the National Premier Leagues Victoria competition, which replaced the old Victorian Premier League. South had a fantastic season, taking out their first league title since their 2000–01 NSL title. In the NPL National Finals Series, South Melbourne beat South Hobart 1–0 at the South Hobart Ground,[44] but lost to North Eastern MetroStars in the semi-final 2–1.[45]
In 2015, the club retained the NPL Victoria premiership, but lost to rivals Bentleigh Greens in the Grand Final. South Melbourne also won the Dockerty Cup, but lost to Palm Beach in the 2015 FFA Cup Round of 32.
South Melbourne then recruited the likes of
In 2017, South Melbourne finished runners-up in the league behind traditional rivals
On the eve of the 2018 season, manager Chris Taylor and the club parted ways after four and a half seasons.[54] He was replaced by South Melbourne Men's U-20 manager Saša Kolman.
In the off-season, the club announced that Con Tangalakis had been appointed as the senior head coach on a permanent basis, after guiding them to survival while on an interim basis the season prior.[55] The club then farewelled three-time NPL Golden Boot and five-time club Golden Boot winner Milos Lujic after five years of service to the club.[56] After a start to the season, which saw the club manage two wins, a draw and four losses, leaving South Melbourne in eleventh place, senior coach Con Tangalakis offered his resignation, and senior assistant coach Estaban Quintas was appointed in a caretaker role to see out the 2019 season.[57]
Stadium
From its formation in 1959, Hellas played its home game at Middle Park Stadium. The ground with an 18,000 seat capacity was a fully enclosed venue by 1960, and a grandstand built by South Melbourne Hellas and Melbourne Hakoah, partly with funds lent to it by the Albert Park management authority was opened in the May 1961. The stadium saw many sellout crowds as South Melbourne made the jump to state league club to National league in 1977.
In 1993, the Victorian Government made a successful bid to bring the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix to Melbourne with the agreement that the running track would be in Albert Park. South Melbourne were forced to move from their home ground due to the installation of the track. On October 23, 1994, the final match at Middle Park was played as South Melbourne hosted traditional rivals Heidelberg Alexander beating them 4–1 in front of a sold-out crowd.
South Melbourne moved to Lakeside Stadium in 1995. The stadium was built with a capacity of 14,000 people. A grandstand with an approximate capacity of 3,000 people was situated on one side, with a social club, reception centre and administrative facilities built in, while the other three sides of the ground consisted of open terraces with wooden seats. At one stage, a second two tiered stand for the outer side was proposed, but only preliminary plans were produced.
As well as being the home of South Melbourne, the venue also hosted games by the
In May 2008, the state government announced that Lakeside Stadium would undergo a major redevelopment, in order to accommodate an athletics track, as part of moving Athletics Victoria from
Today, Lakeside Stadium is one of Australia's premiere stadiums.
Rivals
Being one of the top placed sides since their inception, South Melbourne 1821 have numerous rivalries stemming from their participation in the State Leagues, National Soccer League and VPL/NPL.
Supporters
South Melbourne have traditionally been one of the most well supported Football clubs in Australia, with fans across many countries and states. Their supporters have been noted for their vocal support and their dedication shown through banners and flags.
Currently, the main supporter faction is known as the Clarendon Corner, which has been present since the last few years of the NSL and place themselves in the corner of the stadium. Prior to that, the 'Hellas fans' would traditionally place themselves behind the goal South Melbourne was shooting at in large numbers.
A-League aspirations
Since dropping out of the national competition at the demise of the NSL, the club has held aspirations to return to the top competition for football clubs in Australia. On 14 February 2007, South Melbourne announced their interest in becoming the second Victorian club in the
In March 2013, it was revealed that the club was in negotiations to take a stake in the cash-strapped
In November 2016, it was reported that South Melbourne intended to submit a bid for an A-League licence, with the club intending to continue playing home games at Lakeside Stadium, if the bid is successful.[63][64] Following this news, the club provisionally appointed Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos as the team's head coach should they be granted an expansion slot.[65]
South Melbourne submitted a bid to join the expanded A-League in September 2018;[66] however, were unsuccessful once again when, in December 2018, new consortium Western Melbourne was selected instead.
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Competition timeline
South Melbourne won eight premierships, two
Honours
ClubNational
State
Continental
Worldwide
Youth
'Women's
|
IndividualJohnny Warren Medal/Player of the Year
Leading Goalscorer
Sam Papasavas Award (Under 21 NSL player of the year)
NSL Goalkeeper of the Year
NSL Coach of the Year
Bill Fleming Award
Victorian Premier League Top Goalscorer Award
Victorian Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year
Jimmy Rooney Medal
Victorian Premier League player of the year
|
Managers
- Christos Georgoussis (1960–1961)
- Len Young (1961)
- / Manny Poulakakis (1961–1964)
- Ron Sawecki (1965–1966)
- Kostas Nestoridis (1966)
- John Anderson(1967)
- Kostas Nestoridis (1967–1968)
- Ljubiša Broćić (1968)
- Ron Sawecki (1968–1969)
- / Manny Poulakakis (1969)
- Ljubiša Broćić (1970–1971)
- Bill Curran (1972)
- / Manny Poulakakis (1972–1973)
- Jim Pyrgolios (1974)
- John Margaritis (1975)
- Brian Edgley (1976)
- / Manny Poulakakis (1976)
- John Margaritis (1977)
- Dave MacLaren (1977–1979)
- Duncan MacKay (1979)
- John Margaritis (1979–1981)
- Tommy Docherty (1982–1983)
- Mick Watson (1983)
- Rale Rasic (1983)
- Len McKendry (1983–1985)
- John Margaritis (1986)
- Brian Garvey (1987–1989)
- / Ferenc Puskás (1989–1992)
- Jim Pyrgolios (1992–1994)
- / Frank Arok (1994–1996)
- / Ange Postecoglou (1996–2000)
- Mike Petersen (2000–2001)
- Eddie Krncevic (2001–2002)
- Danny Wright (2002–2003)
- Stuart Munro (2003–2004)
- John Anastasiadis (2005–2008)
- Michael Michalakopoulos (2008–2009)
- Vaughan Coveny (2010–2011)
- Eddie Krncevic (2011–2012)
- Peter Tsolakis (2012–2013)
- / Chris Taylor (2013–2018)
- Saša Kolman (2018)
- Con Tangalakis (2018–2019)
- Estaban Quintas (2019–present)
Records
- Best Result in the NSL: 7–0 vs Newcastle Rosebud at Middle Park 22 July 1984[68]
- Best Result in the VPL: 10–1 vs Moonee Ponds at Middle Park 30 April 1960[69]
- Worst Result in the NSL: 0–7 vs Marconi-Fairfield at Parramatta Stadium 2 May 1993[68]
- Worst Result in the VPL: 0–5 vs Maribyrnong Polonia at Olympic Park 14 June 1964[70]
- Best Regular Season NSL Crowd: 17,228 vs Marconi-Fairfield at Middle Park 23 April 1978[68]
- Best Regular Season VPL Crowd: 23,000 vs George Cross at Olympic Park5 August 1962
- Best Finals Series NSL Crowd: 23,318 vs Melbourne Croatia (1990/91 Grand Final) at Olympic Park[68]
- Best Finals Series VPL Crowd: 8,000 vs Heidelberg United (2005 Preliminary Final) at Olympic Village11 September 2005
- Best FFA Cup Crowd: 5,745 vs Sydney FC (2017 Semi-Final) at Lakeside Stadium 11 October 2017
- Most Games Coached: 127 – Ange Postecoglou[68]
- Most Games Played: 430 – Paul Trimboli
- Most Goals Scored: 115 – Paul Trimboli
- Most Goals in Season: 22 – Doug Brown (1984),[68]Jimmy Armstrong (1974)
- Best Games to Goal Ratio: 0.56 – Doug Brown, 48 goals in 86 games[68]
- Most Clean Sheets: 105 – Dean Anastasiadis, 158 games[68]
- Biggest Winning Streak: 9 games – 30 September 1984 to 24 March 1985[68]
- Biggest Losing Streak: 6 games – 27 October 1995 to 2 December 1995[68]
- Biggest Unbeaten Streak: 21 games – 12 August 1984 to 28 April 1985[68]
References
- ^ "Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park - Home of South Melbourne Football Club". Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
- ^ "Oceania's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
- ^ a b "The Forming Of South Melbourne Greeks". South Melbourne FC. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of South Melbourne FC". South Melbourne FC. Archived from the original on 7 November 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Punshon, John. "1960 Victorian Metropolitan League Division One North Table". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Punshon, John. "1961 Victorian State League Table". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d Punshon, John. "National Premier Leagues Victoria Champions". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Punshon, John. "1971 Victorian State League Table". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ a b c Esamie, Thomas. "2000–2001 Season Playoff Series Matches". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Punshon, John. "1975 Victorian State League Table". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Hay, 2006, The World Game Downunder, pp 121–122
- ^ a b "History – 1980s". South Melbourne FC. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "1984 Table". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "1985 Table". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Punshon, John. "1985 Season Playoff Series Matches". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Dockerty Cup Winners & Runners-Up". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "1990/91 Season Playoff Results". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "1991–92 Season Playoff Matches". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Playoff". OzFootball. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Schwab, Laurie (2 May 1993). "Marconi into grand final with 7–0 win over South". The Age. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 13 July 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australia – List of Final Tables". RSSSF.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ Reid, Michael (16 December 1997). "South to consider return to Hellas". The Age. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "1997 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "1998 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "1999 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ Michael Spanos (23 October 2022). "Hellas Melbourne, the only Hellenic club to play in the FIFA World Club Cup". ekirikas.com - National Herald of New York (in Greek).
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "2002 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2007.
- ^ "2004 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "2005 Victorian Premier League - 2005 Season Results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ a b c "2006 Victorian Premier League - Final Table". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "2006 Vodafone Cup - 2006 Season Results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "South Melbourne appoints new coach, as Tsolakis resigns - Neos Kosmos". 5 July 2013. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "South Melbourne strike early to down brave South Hobart". MyFootball.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "MetroStars outshine South Melbourne". National Premier Leagues. 28 September 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ Kounelis, Jordan. "Matthew Foschini switches to South Melbourne". MFootball. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Kounelis, Jordan. "South Melbourne signs Marcus Schroen". MFootball. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Dwyer, Kristian. "NPL Wrap: Round 1, 2016". MFootball. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ Kouroumalis, George (30 March 2016). "SOUTH Melbourne FC SECURES 40 YEARS AT LAKESIDE STADIUM". SMFC.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- ^ "Bentleigh through as South out of cup • - SMFC". 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "Summary - National Premier Leagues - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Summary - National Premier Leagues - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "Construction begins at Lakeside Stadium • - SMFC". 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "Club statement on Senior coach, Chris Taylor • South Melbourne Football Club". South Melbourne FC. 27 January 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ^ "South announces Tangalakis as Senior Coach • - SMFC". 30 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "South thanks and farewells Milos Lujic • - SMFC". November 2018. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "South Senior Coach Con Tangalakis resignation". Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Investors chase South Melbourne FC for A-League bid". South Melbourne FC. 12 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "Melbourne A-League Bid". South Melbourne FC. 14 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Southern Cross FC bid rejected by FFA". South Melbourne FC. 26 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ "Cash splash keeps Mariners afloat". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "South Melbourne FC launch bold multi-million dollar bid to buy A-League club Melbourne Heart". Fox Sports. News Corp. 2 May 2013. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "A-League expansion: South Melbourne aims to gain inclusion into 2017-18 competition". Fox Sports Australia. News Corporation. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ Windley, Matt. "South Melbourne to submit bid for A-League licence and seek inclusion in competition from next season". Herald Sun. News Corporation. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "Roberto Carlos appointed as South Melbourne Men's 'A-League Coach'". goal.com. Goal International. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ "A League bid summited. SMFC. Retrieved 3 September 2018". 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Australian Soccer Archived 27 April 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "SMFC Statistics and Records". South Melbourne FC. Archived from the original on 19 March 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "1960 Victorian Metropolitan League Division One North - Season Results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ^ "1964 Victorian State League - Season Results". www.ozfootball.net. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.