Sydney United 58 FC
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Full name | Sydney United 58 Football Club[1] | ||
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Nickname(s) | United, United 58 | ||
Founded | 1958 as Sydney Croatia | ||
Ground | Sydney United Sports Centre | ||
Capacity | 12,000 | ||
Chairman | Mark Ivandic | ||
Manager | Miro Vlastelica | ||
League | NPL NSW | ||
2023 | 10th of 16 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Sydney United 58 Football Club is a semi-professional
Sydney United currently competes in the National Premier Leagues New South Wales, hosting matches at the Sydney United Sports Centre in Edensor Park. United are a sister club of the Melbourne Knights, a Croatian club in the NPL Victoria.
The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament.
History
Early years
Formed in 1958 as a sports club, the Sydney United Football Club played its first season in 1958 (undefeated) in the old NSW Soccer Football Association (NSWSFA). After transferring to the NSW Soccer Federation (a breakaway league established in 1959), they competed in the third division. In 1961 they were promoted to the second division and in 1963 to first, where they were amongst the elite teams nationwide. Teams like St. George Budapest, Pan-Hellenic (who later become Sydney Olympic), APIA-Leichhardt,
For the seasons of 1964 and 1965 a part of the name changed (from Croatia to Metropolitan Adriatic), reverting to Croatia in 1966. However, this was not the last name change; the NSWSF ordered Croatia and Yugal in 1968 to anglicise their names after several incidents of crowd violence. Croatia changed their name again to South Sydney Croatia, since they resided in the South Sydney area with the local Croatian club at
After a few lean seasons during the late 1960s and early 1970s, United won their first NSW Premiership in 1977 with Luka Fabijinic as coach and Atti Aboyni as the team's striker. The team beat Auburn 2–0 in front of a crowd of more than 6,500 at the Sydney Sports Ground. In 1978, Aboyni took over as captain and coach of the team. Croatia amassed 62 regular-season goals (Aboyni scoring 21 of them) and winning the
1980s
In 1980, the club purchased a block of land in West Sydney to call their new home, now known as the Sydney United Sports Centre at Edensor Park. Sydney United won minor premierships in 1981 and 1982 the Premiership in 1982 and 1983. In last year of the NSW State League, the Third Grade Sydney United team defeated Canterbury-Marrickville on the Sydney Sports Ground 3–0 under coach Luka Fabijinic.
During the early 1980s, United were often drawing home attendances of 10,000 in the NSW State League; however, National League clubs averaged crowds of only 3,000. The national league needed a heavily supported club to enter national competition; however, the national league executive deemed it inappropriate for clubs with nationalistic names to enter the league and Croatia did not wish to change their name. However, after a National League shake-up in 1984, Sydney United (and its sister club, Melbourne Knights) were accepted into the national league under those names.
The new NSL club established a record in 1984. Over the season, the club had six coaches: after Aboyni quit and
1985 and 1986 saw better success, with United winning the Northern NSL Division crown over powerhouse clubs such as Sydney Olympic, Marconi, and Sydney City. However, in the preliminary final they lost to Sydney Olympic. 1987 saw a lean season in the league, but a successful cup season which brought them another trophy: the Beach Fashions Cup, with a 2–0 aggregate victory over South Melbourne (with United strikers Robbie Slater and Graham Arnold scoring).
After finishing second in the normal season in 1988 Sydney United made its first NSL Grand Final, playing neighbours Marconi-Fairfield at Parramatta Stadium in front of a 17,000-strong crowd. Alan Hunter and Manis Lamond scored for Croatia, with Frank Farina and Zlatko Nastevski scoring for Marconi. With the score 2–2 after extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout. At 4–4, United's young midfielder Shane Clinch hit the post with his spot kick followed by Marconi veteran Tony Henderson scoring against Croatia's Tony Franken, winning the game for Marconi.
1990s
Two more name changes, first to Sydney C.S.C. (Croatian Soccer Club) in 1992 and then to Sydney United, and the move from a winter league in Australia to a summer league saw a few lean seasons for the club during the early 1990s. The 1992–93 season saw the appointment of ex-Sydney Olympic coach Mick Hickman; however, he resigned during the pre-season. Ex-Socceroo defender Manfred Schaefer was appointed coach, and United finished seventh. United's youth policy, training players such as Tony Popovic, Zeljko Kalac, Ante Milicic and Ante Moric, was coming to fruition; these players later represented Australia at a number of levels. During the 1993–94 season, Zeljko Kalac keep an NSL-record 12 shutouts in 26 games. The club finished third, after leading the league.
Branko Culina replaced Schaefer as coach during the 1994–95 season; with a squad consisting of 75 percent locally produced players, United finished third. During the 1996–97 season, under Culina's the guidance United won another minor premiership and made its second Grand Final (this time in Brisbane). In front of an Australian soccer record crowd of 44,000, United lost 2–0 to Farina's Brisbane Strikers. Kresimir Maursic was voted the Prestigious NSL Player of the Year award, and David Zdrillic was the NSL's leading scorer with 21 goals (Ante Milicic finished second, with 19). However, the club lost players to overseas clubs: Popovic, Kalac, Milicic, Zdrilic and Robert Enes.
Former Socceroo striker David Mitchell took over as coach for the 1997–98 season. The club, while struggling, finished fourth with Abbas Saad its top scorer for the season. With Paul Bilokapic and Mark Rudan off to Northern Spirit, United won its third NSL minor premiership during the 1998–1999 season. Led by former St. Albans Dinamo defender Velimir Kupresak and talent from the youth league (such as Jacob Burns, Joel Griffiths and Mile Sterjovski), United reached the NSL Grand Final for the second time. However, in Melbourne against South Melbourne, United lost 3–2 (with goals by Mile Sterjovski and Danny Townsend) in front of 15,000 fans.
During a dark period in the club's history, in 1999–2000 Sydney United lost all their players (except Velimir Kupresak) and their coach to a new professional soccer club called Parramatta Power; however, the new team only lasted five seasons. Ex-Socceroo defender David Ratcliffe was appointed coach for that season. Although finishing last in the standings, United defeated Parramatta Power 1–0 at home to end the latter's final aspirations. Ex-Sibenik and United midfielder Ivan Petkovic took over as coach after Ratcliffe was sacked in January 2000.
2000s
Former defender Alan Hunter returned to Edensor Park as United's new coach for the 2000–01 season; however, he only lasted until February 2001 when captain Velimir Kupresak took over as coach. Croatia 1998 World Cup midfielder Alojsa Asanovic came out for a two-game stint with United, scoring a goal against the Auckland Kingz. United finished tenth, after winning their first three games of the season.
Branko Culina came back for a second stint as coach for the 2001–02 season, finishing 11th. For the 2002–2003 season, the club imported three Croatian players: goalkeeper Vanja Ivesa and defenders Bozidar Cacic and Boris Pavić. However, the club finished 10th and Culina was replaced in January by former United striker Tony Krslovic.
Ex-Olympic defender Grant Lee was appointed coach in the 2003–04 season, when the club again finished 10th. Highlight of the year was the last away game with United's sister club, the Melbourne Knights. In front of an 8,423-strong crowd, the game on 29 February 2004 (which ended 0–0) saw flares, celebrations and a mass pitch invasion; this would be the final NSL game.
State league
With the demise of the NSL, the club once again played in the
In 2006 Arambasic was dismissed as coach, replaced by Jean-Paul de Marigny. United started slowly, but finished third. During the top-four Vodafone NSW Premier League final series, United defeated
In 2009, Sydney United finished top of the New South Wales Premier League, seven points clear of the
Recent era
In 2013, Sydney United took out the league title once more,
Sydney United qualified for the inaugural
Sydney United qualified for the 2015 FFA Cup the following season. United drew South Hobart FC, whom they beat in 2013 to claim the NPL championship. United crawled through, coming back from 2–0 down to draw 3–3 and then take it on penalties.[12] In the Round of 16, United faced Heidelberg United FC but lost 2–0 in front of 2,200 at Olympic Village in Melbourne.[13]
For the 2016 season, United signed the likes of former
Sydney United appointed Davor Bajsić to lead the side in 2017, but resigned from the role after his side lost its opening three games of the NPL NSW season.[22] United brought Mark Rudan back to the club to lead the senior side.[23] On 16 August 2017, Sydney United appointed Jason Culina as head coach after Rudan stepped down.[24]
2022 Australia Cup
In 2022, Sydney United became the first
During the final, some Sydney United fans sung
Following a month-long investigation, Football Australia sanctioned Sydney United 58 FC under breach of the National Code of Conduct and Ethics. The club was fined AUD$15,000, and received a number of suspended sanctions (including the possibility of further fines, point deductions in their National Premier Leagues NSW seasons, and a ban from the Australia Cup).[28]
Home ground
In 1981 Sydney United FC moved from the city to the United Sports Centre in
The club recently installed a new artificial grass field which was certified FIFA 2star standard. This "system" was installed by overseas contractors and overseen by the club as a virtually unique self installed field which saved many dollars.[citation needed]
Previous home grounds include:
- Wentworth Park, Glebe
- ES Marks Athletics Field
- Sydney Sports Ground, Moore Park
- Parramatta Stadium (1997–98 season)
Rivalries
United and Croatia have experienced a number of rivalries with other clubs.
Marconi Fairfield
A short distance (1 km) north of Edensor Park in the neighbouring suburb of Bossley Park is the prosperous Marconi-Fairfield club. The Italian-backed club has been a rival of United's since 1970, when Marconi was promoted to the NSW State League. The clubs have had some close games: a 1988 Grand Final between the clubs saw the game go onto a penalty shoot-out (which Marconi won), and a semifinal game during the 1997–1998 season saw United's Kupresak sent off for headbutting Marconi's Sean Babic in the nose.
Sydney Olympic
"Nomads" of the NSL and backed by a heavy Greek following, the club formerly known as Pan Hellenic have had a rich history with United since 1963 when they first met at Lambert Park. Both clubs have seen more activity off the field than on, especially with transfers of players between the clubs. Players such as Ante Milicic, Ned Zelic, Emil Dragicevic, Labinot Haliti, Jim Patikas, Graham Jennings, Ante Moric, Eric Hristodoulou, Ante Juric and Petar Markovic have switched between the clubs over the years.
Northern Spirit/Parramatta Power
Both Northern Spirit and Parramatta Power were clubs admitted into the NSL to promote non-ethnic clubs. Northern Spirit (based in North Sydney) became a United rival when it signed former United players Graham Arnold, Robbie Slater, Kresimir Marusic, Paul Bilokapic and Mark Rudan. United, underdogs during the 2000–2001 with a depleted team, won 2–1 at North Sydney in wet conditions.
Parramatta Power, backed by the prosperous Parramatta Eels Rugby League Club, entered competition during the 1999–2000 season after luring 16 United players and staff. United, however, defeated Parramatta 1–0 to end their aspirations for a finals berth.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Sydney United has a fierce rivalry with the Serbian-backed Bonnyrigg White Eagles. The teams often met in the late 1970s with then Sydney Croatia dominating majority of the encounters against Bonnyrigg, who were then called Avala. After the demise of the National Soccer League, the two clubs would not meet again in a league competition until 2005. The games were often met with crowd violence, most notably in 2005.[citation needed]
Players
- As of 13 February 2024
1st Grade Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
- NSL premiers: 1986 (Northern Division), 1996–97, 1998–99
- NSL Grand Final runners-up: 1988, 1996–97, 1998–99
- NSL finalists: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99
- 2022
- 1987
- NSL Cup runners-up: 1994
- NPL champions: 2013, 2016
- NSL Regular Season runners-up (Northern Conference): 1985
- NSW State League champions: 1977, 1982, 1983, 2006, 2020
- NSW State League runners-up: 1978, 1981, 2011, 2016, 2019
- NSW State League premiers: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 2009, 2013, 2016
- NSW State League regular season runners-up: 1983
- NSW State League finalists: 1967, 1970, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018
- NSW Division 1 champions: 1962
- NSW Division 2 champions: 1960
- Continental Cup winners: 2005
- Ampol Cup winners: 1986, 1987
- Rothmans Cup winners: 1974
- Rothmans Cup runners-up: 1971, 1976
- Waratah Cup winners: 1995, 1996, 2005, 2015, 2016, 2023
- Waratah Cup runners-up: 2019, 2022
- National Youth League champions: 1991–92, 1994–95
- National Youth League runners-up: 1993–1994, 1996–97
- National Youth League (Northern Division) champions: 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97
Notable international players
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Club records
- Best result: W 12–0 vs. Henwood Park (H) 2 May 2018 (FFA Cup round 5)
- Worst result: L 0–5 v Sydney Olympic (H) 28 March 1993
- Best crowd: 16,614 v Marconi 23 February 1997
- Most games (coached): Branko Culina (133 games, W62-D32-L39)
- Most games (played): 450 (Petar Markovic, 2001–2013 to 2017–2019)
- Most goals scored: 85, Luka Glavas
- Most goals in a season (individual): 21, David Zdrillic(1996–1997)
- Best games-to-goals ratio in a season: 0.58, David Seal (18 goals in 31 games)
- Youngest player: 16 years, 90 days (Jason Culina, 3 November 1996)
See also
- List of Sydney United 58 FC seasons
- Sydney United 58 FC at the 2022 Australia Cup
- Melbourne Knights (sister club to Sydney United)
- Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
- List of Croatian soccer clubs in Australia
References
- ^ "Sydney United 58 Football Club". Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "Sydney United create Australian football history". Croatia Week. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Summary - New South Wales NPL - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
- ^ "Summary - New South Wales NPL - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
- ^ "Summary - New South Wales NPL - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
- ^ "Summary - New South Wales NPL - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
- ^ "Sydney United down Canberra FC - Football NSW - Football Australia 2013". Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
- ^ "Sydney United 58 FC book NPL final place - Michael Flynn - Football Australia 2013". Archived from the original on 27 March 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ^ "Sydney United 58 FC crowned national champions - Damian Gill, Football Federation Tasmania - Football Australia 2013". Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ "Sydney United 58 FC v Cairns FC - FFA Cup Match Centre". 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Sydney United 58 FC v Sydney FC - FFA Cup Match Centre". 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Sydney United 58 FC v South Hobart - FFA Cup Match Centre". 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Heidelberg United FC v Sydney United 58 FC - FFA Cup Match Centre". 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Uskok departs Somers Street » Melbourne Knights FC". September 2015.
- ^ Royal, Derek. "Fragogiannis hopes to bring success to Sydney United 58 FC". NPL NSW. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ^ "Sydney United 58 overcome White Eagles". Football NSW. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Football news, features and statistics | FourFourTwo".
- ^ "Westfield FFA Cup wrap: Round of 32 MD1 | FFA Cup". 27 July 2016.
- ^ "Round 20 Review – PS4 NPL NSW Men's". NSWPL.com.au. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Sydney United 58 crowned NPL Champions of Australia". NSW NPL. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Rudan says farewell to Sydney United 58". NSW NPL. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Davor Bajsic resigns as Sydney United 58 coach". Football NSW. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Mark Rudan appointed Sydney United 58 Head Coach". Football NSW. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Jason Culina named Sydney United Coach". FourFourTwo. 16 August 2017.
- ^ CROATIAN Sydney United 58 FC On Fire "Za Dom, Spremni" during Australian Cup FINAL! (YouTube video). Western Sydney Stadium. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ISBN 9781788310871.
- ^ McKern, James (1 October 2022). "Fans condemned for disgusting behaviour during Australia Cup". News.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Football Australia has sanctioned Sydney United 58 FC under the National Code of Conduct and Ethics for incidents that occurred at the Australia Cup Final". Football Australia. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.