South Melbourne FC
Full name	South Melbourne Football Club
Nickname(s)	Hellas, Lakers, Gunners
Founded	1959
Ground	Bob Jane Stadium Albert Park, Victoria (Capacity 14,000)
Chairman	Leo Athanasakis
Manager	Michael Michaelokopoulos
League	Victorian Premier League
VPL 2007	7
Home colours 　 Away colours

This page relates to the association football club known as South Melbourne FC. Football club names are a part of the sport 's culture reflecting century-old traditions This is a of lists of the use of Nicknames in football (soccer. The Bob Jane Stadium (also known as Lakeside Stadium) is a Football (soccer Stadium in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia Albert Park is an Inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in the City of Port Phillip. The following is a list of Association football stadia. They are ordered by their capacity, that is the maximum number of spectators that the The Victorian Premier League (known as the Foxtel Cup in 2007 and 2008 for sponsorship purposes is the highest State level Association football (soccer competition Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered For the former Australian rules football club, see Sydney Swans. Australian (rules football, or simply known as football, footy or Aussie rules, is a Team sport played between two teams of 18 players The Sydney Swans is an Australian Football League (AFL club based in Sydney, New South Wales.

South Melbourne Football Club is an Australian association football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered South Melbourne is an inner-southern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC is one of the six "continental" confederations of international football, consisting of Papua New Guinea, New The 2000 FIFA Club World Championship was the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship held in Brazil from 5 January to 14 January 2000 Along with the Marconi Stallions, they were one of two clubs to compete in every season of the National Soccer League. The Marconi Stallions are an Australian Football (soccer club from Sydney, Australia. This page is on the former Australian soccer league For the former Canadian league see Canadian National Soccer League.

The club currently competes in the Victorian Premier League. The Victorian Premier League (known as the Foxtel Cup in 2007 and 2008 for sponsorship purposes is the highest State level Association football (soccer competition

History

Formation in 1959

The club was formed in 1959 with the amalgamation of three struggling Melbourne football clubs – South Melbourne United, the oldest of the three clubs with a history dating back to the early 1900s, the Greek-backed Yarra Park Aiantas, and Hellenic^[1]. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 Theo Marmaras, initiator of the merger proposal and president of Hellenic, became the first president of the new club. In recognition of the large Greek 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 first 40 years. The first emblem reflected the colour scheme of the Flag of Greece. The Flag of Greece ( Σημαία της Ελλάδος, popularly referred to as the Γαλανόλευκη or the Κυανόλευκη The first uniform was that of South Melbourne United, which consisted of white with a red 'V' around the collar. 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

A rare photograph of one of the early South Melbourne Hellas squads, circa 1960.

South Melbourne won the Victorian First Division (North) championship of 1960^[2], the club’s inaugural year of competition. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The club was promoted to the Victorian State League First Division the following year, where it finished fifth in its first year^[3]. With a number of astute signings – Tommy Anderson (George Cross), Ernie Ackerley (Manchester United), Leo Damianakos (Kalamata), and Jim Pyrgolios (Panathinaikos)^[4], the club won the division championship in 1962, 1964, and 1965^[5]. Panathinaikos Panathinaikos FC (ΠΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός also known as P Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. In 1965, South Melbourne secured the services of 35 year old former AEK Athens FC star Kostas Nestoridis as player-coach. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. See also Athletic Union of Constantinople AEK FC (AEK - Αθλητική Ένωσις Κωνσταντινουπόλεως – Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupoleos Kostas Nestoridis (Κώστας Νεστορίδης born March 15, 1930) a Greek footballer, is still widely regarded as one of the best forwards The result was a significant increase in crowd attendances (more than double) and a fourth league title in 1966^[6]. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Eager to repeat its success, the club recruited a number of Greek and local footballers, but they failed to make any impact. By 1969, the import experiment was considered a failure and most of the Greek players returned to their homeland. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[7]

1970-1979

In 1970, the club focussed its attention on recruiting local footballers. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It soon signed two players that would become South Melbourne’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^[9]. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Footscray JUST is a defunct soccer club from Melbourne, Australia. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The season also saw coach Bill Curran consolidate the first team’s strength by signing midfielder Peter Bourne (Burnley) and promoting youngsters Giovanni Batticiotto and Bill Hasapis^[10]. Burnley Football Club, nicknamed The Clarets, is a professional football club managed by Owen Coyle and based in Burnley, Lancashire The club continued its successful run with the 1974 title^[11], second place in 1975^[12], 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. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. James Birrell "Jimmy" Mackay (born December 19, 1943) is a former Football (soccer player Peter Ollerton (born May 20, 1951 in England) is a former Australian Football (soccer forward who represented Australia Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[13]

National Soccer League foundation club

South Melbourne joined Mooroolbark, Heidelberg United, and Footscray JUST as Melbourne’s participants in the newly-formed National Soccer League (NSL) in 1977^[14]. Mooroolbark is an Australian Football (soccer club based in Mooroolbark, an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne Victoria. Heidelberg United Football Club is an Australian football (soccer club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria Footscray JUST is a defunct soccer club from Melbourne, Australia. This page is on the former Australian soccer league For the former Canadian league see Canadian National Soccer League. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays A mass exodus of its best players (Armstrong, Bourne, Mackay, Walker), saw the team slump to 11th place in its inaugural year, but a recruiting drive by coach Dave McClaren gave the club a respectable third in 1978. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) It wasn’t to last. South Melbourne finished at the bottom of the league table in 1979. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) ^[15]

1980-1989

The first club emblem.

The recruitment of Alan Davidson, Steve Blair, Branko Buljevic, Alun Evans (Liverpool), and Charlie Egan, helped South Melbourne climb the NSL ladder in the early part of the decade but it failed to make any significant impact. Alan Edward Davidson (born in Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian Football (soccer player Alun William Evans (born 30 April 1949 in Bewdley, Worcestershire) is an English former footballer who made his name as Liverpool Football Club are an English professional Association football club based in Liverpool England. This page is on the former Australian soccer league For the former Canadian league see Canadian National Soccer League. Some solid player signings (Oscar Crino, Doug Brown, Bobby Russell, John Yzendoorn) gave the club some respectability, but a combination of committee problems and a string of coaches, never allowed the team to settle and gain consistency. South Melbourne finished first on the league ladder in 1984^[16], but in a newly-restructured NSL competition, it also had to win the finals series to win the title. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) The club powered past local rivals Heidelberg United in the Southern Division play-offs, and edged out Sydney Olympic in the Grand Final to win the 1984 national championship. Heidelberg United Football Club is an Australian football (soccer club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia and competes in the Australian State League Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) ^[17]

In 1985, South Melbourne could not repeat the success of the previous year. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Despite finishing in first place^[18], it was knocked out of the finals series by local rivals Brunswick Juventus and Preston Lions^[19]. Brunswick Juventus are an Australian Football (soccer club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Preston Lions Football Club (formerly Preston Makedonia Soccer Club are an Australian Football (soccer club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne A major overhaul by coach Brian Garvey saw a number of new signings being made, including youngsters Paul Trimboli, David Healy, Kimon Taliadoros and Harry Micheil^[20]. Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian The young team put in some memorable performances as the decade came to a close, finishing in the top half of the league table, but failed to win another championship. The club appointed Ferenc Puskás as coach for the 1989/90 season, helping South win the NSL Cup tournament for that season, as well backing up their 1988 Dockerty Cup win with victory in the 1989 tournament^[21]. Ferenc Purczeld Biró ( 2 April 1927 &ndash 17 November 2006) or "Ferenc Puskás", was a legendary Hungarian The Dockerty Cup is a Football (soccer competition held between clubs in Victoria Australia.

1990-1999

Former club legend Paul Trimboli.

The club's change of fortune continued next season, with the club winning its second national championship, beating Melbourne Croatia on penalties after a tense 1-1 score line in normal time^[22]. The Melbourne Knights Football Club is a Football (soccer club representing Melbourne in the Victorian Premier League (VPL and is a two-time championship The team boasted some of the finest Australian football talent in Ange Postecoglou, Michael Petersen, Paul Wade, Mehmet Durakovic, Paul Trimboli, and Con Boutsianis. Angelos Postecoglou (also Postekos) (born 27 August 1965 is an Australian Football (soccer coach and former player Paul Wade (born March 20, 1962 in Cheshire, England) is a retired Australian Football (soccer player who is most Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian Con Boutsianis (born 27 December 1971, Melbourne) is a Greek-Australian Football (soccer player and former International noted for his The feat could not be repeated the next year as the club was eliminated by eventual premiers Adelaide City in a Preliminary Final^[23]. For the city council see City of Adelaide Adelaide City is a Football (soccer club in Adelaide, Australia.

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^[24]. South Melbourne was again eliminated during the finals series by Adelaide City and Marconi-Fairfield, the latter inflicting a 7-0 thrashing^[25]. In 1993/94, the club finished second^[26], but failed yet again to progress to the Grand Final, courtesy of Melbourne Croatia and their nemesis, Adelaide City^[27]. For the 1994/95 season, the club hired former Socceroos coach Frank Arok to replace Pyrgolios. The Australian national football team represents Australia in international association football competitions Ferenc 'Frank' Arok (Árok Ferenc (born January 20, 1932 in Serbia (then Yugoslavia) is a retired Serbian Football (soccer The round one game from that season was the club's last at its Middle Park home before moving temporarily to Olympic Park while they awaited the completion of their new home, the 14,000-capacity Bob Jane Stadium, on the site of the former Lake Oval. Middle Park was a Football (soccer venue located in Middle Park Victoria, Australia. Olympic Park Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor Stadium located in Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The Bob Jane Stadium (also known as Lakeside Stadium) is a Football (soccer Stadium in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia The Bob Jane Stadium (also known as Lakeside Stadium) is a Football (soccer Stadium in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia The club finished sixth on the ladder^[28], but was eliminated again in the Preliminary Final by the Melbourne Knights^[29]. Arok left the club after a disappointing 1995/96 season, which saw South miss the finals for the first time since 1989^[30].

The club emblem during South Melbourne's brief appearance as the Lakers.

In 1996, the club was required by Soccer Australia, along with clubs all over the country, to change its emblem and name in an attempt to move football into the Australian mainstream and away from direct club-level association with its migrant roots. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Football Federation Australia (FFA is the governing body for the sport of football (soccer in Australia. As a consequence, South Melbourne Hellas reappeared as South Melbourne Lakers. Its new name and emblem was not well received by many of its Greek supporters. The name change also drew attention from American NBA club LA Lakers, who threatened legal action. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California.

Under new coach and former captain Ange Postecoglou, the club bounced back in season 1996/97, finishing third on the table^[31] and eventually being eliminated by Sydney United in the Preliminary Final^[32]. Angelos Postecoglou (also Postekos) (born 27 August 1965 is an Australian Football (soccer coach and former player Sydney United Football Club are an Australian Football (soccer club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian immigrants in the The club capped off the end of the decade with impressive performances, becoming Australian champions in 1998 and 1999, thanks to performances by Paul Trimboli, Vaughan Coveny, Con Blatsis and former PAOK FC star John Anastasiadis. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian Vaughan Coveny (born 13 December, 1971 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a Football player who frequently represented his country PAOK FC (ΠΑΟΚ - Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινουπολιτών - Panthessalonikios Athlitikos Omilos Konstantinoupoliton Yiannis (John Anastasiadis (born August 13, 1968 in Melbourne, Australia) is a former Australian Football (soccer In the 1998 Grand Final South defeated league newcomer Carlton 2-1 with a controversial late goal by Boutsianis^[33]. Carlton Soccer Club is a defunct Australian Football (soccer club That win was followed up in 1999 by a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Sydney United in the Grand Final^[34]. By now, South Melbourne had dropped the Lakers moniker and become South Melbourne Soccer Club, and sported a new emblem - the current blue and white shield with stars (each star representing a national championship). They followed up their fourth domestic title with the 1999 Oceania Club Championship, a win that qualified them for the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil^[35]. The 1999 Oceania Club Championships was held in September 1999. The 2000 FIFA Club World Championship was the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship held in Brazil from 5 January to 14 January 2000 |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld

2000-

Grouped with Vasco Da Gama, Necaxa, and Manchester United in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championships, South Melbourne lost all three games. Other uses Río Necaxa, a river in the states of Puebla and Veracruz Despite the losses, the club gained some respectability amongst its peers with its performance, as well as some much needed exposure on the world stage, something that had been severely lacking for Australian football clubs at the time.

On its return from Brazil, South Melbourne failed to make the finals in the 1999/2000 season, finishing well outside the top six finals spots^[36]. Before the new season started Postecoglou left South Melbourne in order to take up the position of Australian youth coach, and was replaced by former South player and team mate Mike Petersen^[37]. At the end of the 2000/01 home and away season, South had finished a comfortable 8 points clear of Wollongong^[38], but lost both legs of its major semi final against the Wolves 2-1^[39], meaning South would have to win the prelimanary final in order to earn a rematch. South duly did so with a 2-0 victory over Sydney Olympic^[40], but in the grand final put in a lackluster performance, once more losing 2-1^[41].

Prior to the start of the 2001/2002 season, South suffered a major blow as Petersen, along with several players including Boutsianis and Andy Vlahos left to join the Football Kingz. Andrew Vlahos (born 20 April 1976 is an Australian Football (soccer player with Greek heritage New Zealand Knights Football Club (known as Football Kingz Football Club until 2004 were the only professional Football (soccer team in New Zealand before A young squad under the management of Eddie Krnčević struggled, occupying the bottom rungs of the table half way throgh the season, before the return in controversial circumstances of Boutsianis sparked a major revival, which saw the club finish fifth in the standings^[42], eventually being eliminated by eventual champions Olympic Sharks in the finals^[43]. Edward "Eddie" Krnčević (born August 14 1960 in Geelong) was an Australian Football (soccer player Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia and competes in the Australian State League

Krnčević was replaced by former player Danny Wright for the 2002/03 season, but the club failed to reach the finals by a point^[44]. Stuart Munro took over as coach for the 2003/04 season, with the club finishing fifth^[45], eventually being eliminated by a penalty deep into extra time against Adelaide United^[46] in what turned out to be South's final game in the NSL. Adelaide United Football Club is a Football (soccer team in the Australian A-League based in Adelaide, South Australia.

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 license for an Hyundai A-League team, which was widely expected to go to a new franchise, and with South in extreme financial difficulty, South chose not to lodge an application to join the new competition. The A-League is the premier Australasian domestic Association football competition

Return to Victorian competition

South Melbourne celebrate their 2006 VPL title

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^[47]. The Victorian Premier League (known as the Foxtel Cup in 2007 and 2008 for sponsorship purposes is the highest State level Association football (soccer competition Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Yiannis (John Anastasiadis (born August 13, 1968 in Melbourne, Australia) is a former Australian Football (soccer 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. The Preston Lions Football Club (formerly Preston Makedonia Soccer Club are an Australian Football (soccer club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne In 2006, South finished third on the table courtesy of a strong home record^[48], including a record 7-0 thrashing of old foe Melbourne Knights^[49]. South eventually progressed to the final by defeating Green Gully and Altona Magic in successive weeks^[50]. Green Gully Soccer Club, more commonly known as the Green Gully Cavaliers, are an Australian football (soccer club based in Melbourne, Altona Magic Soccer Club are an Australian Football (soccer team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Australia. In the final itself, once more against Altona Magic, a second half goal by Gianni De Nittis was enough to see South win the game 1-0^[51], 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 7th spot missing the finals. After a poor start in 2008, Anastasiadis resigned.

2010/11 A-League Proposal

On the 14th of February 2007, South Melbourne announced their interest in becoming the second Victorian club in the A-League. The A-League is the premier Australasian domestic Association football competition After Melbourne Victory announced they would not be playing at the redeveloped Olympic Park unless it had a capacity of at least 30,000, the government suggested a second Melbourne team would play there. Melbourne Victory Football Club is a football (soccer team in the Australian A-League based in Melbourne, Victoria. See also Olympic Village An Olympic Park is a venue or group of venues set up when a country hosts the Olympic Games.

A consortium of investors are willing to put at least 5 to 6 million dollars per annum into the venture, and a letter of interest from the football club has been sent to the FFA. Football Federation Australia (FFA is the governing body for the sport of football (soccer in Australia. ^[52]

Rivalries

Traditional club rivalries

South Melbourne has, and has had, a variety of rivalries over the years. Its best known rivalry is with fellow Melbourne Greek-founded club Heidelberg United (known, traditionally, as the Greek Derby) , particularly from the mid 1970s until the mid 1980s, when both sides were near the top simultaneously. Heidelberg United Football Club is an Australian football (soccer club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria Heidelberg's decline from the mid 1980s onwards, and their eventual demotion from the NSL altogether, lessened the rivalry somewhat, as the clubs did not meet in a competitive match for ten years until South dropped down into the Victorian Premier League in 2005. The Victorian Premier League (known as the Foxtel Cup in 2007 and 2008 for sponsorship purposes is the highest State level Association football (soccer competition

South also had rivalries with Sydney Olympic and West Adelaide Hellas, both Greek-founded teams from interstate. Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia and competes in the Australian State League West Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian Football (soccer club from Adelaide Australia. Though the latter rivalry was somewhat minor, the one with the former gained somewhat more significance over the years. South had defeated Olympic in the 1984 Grand Final, and coupled with Heidelberg's decline and eventual demotion, the two sides became clearly the two leading Greek-backed teams in the country, and fought for that unofficial mantle.

City rivalries

South's strongest city-based rivalry aside from Heidelberg, has been with the Melbourne Knights. The Melbourne Knights Football Club is a Football (soccer club representing Melbourne in the Victorian Premier League (VPL and is a two-time championship Since the Knights entry into the NSL in 1984, the two sides have been the best performers of the Melbourne NSL teams, as well as for the final few seasons, the only two left from Melbourne. As well as playing numerous finals matches against each other, they also played in the 1990/91 Grand Final, which South won in dramatic cirumstances. The return to the VPL of both sides however has lessened the rivalry somewhat.

Though Carlton SC was a shortlived entity, games between the two sides generally drew good crowds as well as providing good contests on the field. Carlton Soccer Club is a defunct Australian Football (soccer club The rivalry peaked in 1997/98, Carlton's debut year, when the teams finished in the top two spots on the table at the end of the home and away season, and going on to meet in the Grand Final, which South won with a controversial late goal.

A rivalry also exists between fans of South and those of the Preston Lions, fueled primarily not by football, but by the Macedonian issue. The Preston Lions Football Club (formerly Preston Makedonia Soccer Club are an Australian Football (soccer club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne Background See also Foreign relations of the Republic of Macedonia#Greece, Foreign relations of Greece#Balkans Controversy and conflict In more recent times contests between the two sides have been classified as "home club member only" games, after fans from both sides were involved in scuffles in 2005, their first competitive meeting for over a decade, as Preston had been relegated from the NSL 12 years earlier.

Other rivalries

As South has usually been at or near the top of the standings throughout its history, as well as in the past being one of the best supported clubs in the country, rivalries with other clubs from interstate also formed, though these tended to ebb and flow depending on the success and pulling power of the other sides. In the early to mid 1990's in particular, rivalries with Adelaide City and the Marconi Stallions were fairly strong. For the city council see City of Adelaide Adelaide City is a Football (soccer club in Adelaide, Australia. The Marconi Stallions are an Australian Football (soccer club from Sydney, Australia. Later on, as these rivalries fell away, Perth Glory, with good crowds and generally good performances, came into play, with Perth's record non-finals crowd still being against South, and South getting numerous 10,000 plus crowds against the Glory. Perth Glory FC is an association football (soccer club from Perth Western Australia, playing in the A-League. In the last season of the NSL the two teams battled out for the prestigious "Australian Day Cup", which South Melbourne retained after a 0-0 draw at home.

Honours

Club

International

• FIFA Club World Cup 2000 Finalists
• Oceania Club Cup Winners 2000

National

• National Soccer League Champions 1984, 1990/91, 1997/98, 1998/99
• National Soccer League Minor Premiers 1984, 1985, 1992/93, 1997/98, 2000/01
• National Soccer League Finalists 1989/1990, 1991/1992, 1993/1994, 1994/1995, 1996/1997, 2001/2002, 2003/2004
• National Soccer League Cup Winners 1989/90, 1995/96

State

• Victorian Premier League (State League) Champions 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1974, 1976, 2006
• Victorian Premier League (State League) Finalists/Runners Up 1971, 1975, 2005
• Victorian Division 1 North Champions 1960
• Dockerty Cup Winners 1974, 1975, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995
• Victorian Ampol Night Soccer Cup Winners 1969, 1970, 1976, 1982
• Buffalo Cup Winners 1988
• Hellenic Cup Winners 1984, 2007

Individual Honours ^[53]

Johnny Warren Medal/Player of the Year

• 1986 - Bobby Russell
• 1988 - Paul Wade
• 1992/93 - Paul Trimboli
• 1997/98 - Paul Trimboli

Joe Marston Medal

• 1997/98 - Fausto De Amicis
• 1998/99 - Goran Lozanovski

Leading Goalscorer

• 1983 - Doug Brown
• 1984 - Doug Brown
• 1985 - Charlie Egan
• 1991/92 - Kimon Taliodoros
• 1992/93 - Francis Awaritefe

Sam Papasavas Award (Under 21 NSL player of the year)

• 1983 - Oscar Crino
• 1988 - Paul Trimboli
• 1989 - Paul Trimboli

NSL Goalkeeper of the Year

• 1998/99 - Michael Petkovic
• 2000/01 - Michael Petkovic
• 2001/02 - Michael Petkovic

NSL Coach of the Year

• 1980 - John Margaritis
• 1988 - Brian Garvey
• 1992/93 - Jim Pyrgolios
• 1997/98 - Ange Postecoglou
• 2000/01 - Mike Petersen

Bill Fleming Award

• 1971 - Jim Pyrgolios
• 1974 - Jimmy Armstrong

Victorian Premier League Top Goalscorer Award

• 1972 - Jimmy Armstrong
• 1974 - Jimmy Armstrong

Victorian Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year

• 2005 - Dean Anastasiadis
• 2006 - Dean Anastasiadis

Weinstein Medal

• 1975 - Reno Lia

Jimmy Rooney Medal

• 2006 - Fernando de Moraes

Records

• Best Result in the NSL: 7-0 vs Newcastle Rosebud at Middle Park 22/07/1984^[54]
• Best Result in the VPL: 10-1 vs Moonee Ponds at Middle Park 30/04/1960^[55]
• Worst Result in the NSL: 0-7 vs Marconi-Fairfield at Parramatta Stadium 02/05/1993^[54]
• Worst Result in the VPL: 0-5 vs Maribyrnong Polonia at Olympic Park 14/06/1964^[56]
• Best Regular Season NSL Crowd: 17,228 vs Marconi-Fairfield at Middle Park 23/04/1978^[54]
• Best Regular Season VPL Crowd: 23,000 vs George Cross at Olympic Park 05/08/1962
• Best Finals Series NSL Crowd: 23,318 vs Melbourne Croatia (1990/91 Grand Final) at Olympic Park^[54]
• Best Finals Series VPL Crowd: 5,125 vs Altona Magic (2006 Grand Final) at Bob Jane Stadium 24/09/2006
• Most Games Coached: 127 - Ange Postecoglou ^[54]
• Most Games Played: 430 - Paul Trimboli
• Most Goals Scored: 115 - Paul Trimboli
• Most Goals in Season: 22 - Doug Brown^[54]
• Best Games to Goal Ratio: 0. The Dockerty Cup is a Football (soccer competition held between clubs in Victoria Australia. The Hellenic Cup is an Australian Football (soccer tournament contested by clubs of Greek background mostly from Melbourne Victoria. The Johnny Warren Medal is the award for best player in the Australian national Football (soccer club competition Paul Wade (born March 20, 1962 in Cheshire, England) is a retired Australian Football (soccer player who is most Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian The Joe Marston Medal is an A-League award given to the player of the match in the A-League Grand Final each year Fausto De Amicis (born 26 June 1968) is a former Australian soccer player Goran Lozanovski (born January 11, 1974) is a is a former Australian Football (soccer player Charles (Charlie Egan (born August 14, 1959) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Scottish heritage Francis Edgar Awaritefe (born 18 April 1964 in London England) is an Australian former football player and football commentator Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian Michael Petkovic ( Croatian: Michael Petković) (born July 16, 1976 in Perth) is an Australian Football (soccer Michael Petkovic ( Croatian: Michael Petković) (born July 16, 1976 in Perth) is an Australian Football (soccer Michael Petkovic ( Croatian: Michael Petković) (born July 16, 1976 in Perth) is an Australian Football (soccer Angelos Postecoglou (also Postekos) (born 27 August 1965 is an Australian Football (soccer coach and former player Michael Petersen (born 6 May 1965) is a retired Australian soccer player who played for Heidelberg United, Brunswick Dean Anastasiadis (born 06 June, 1970 in Melbourne, Australia) is a Greek Australian Football (soccer player Dean Anastasiadis (born 06 June, 1970 in Melbourne, Australia) is a Greek Australian Football (soccer player Fernando de Moraes (commonly referred to as Fernando) is a Brazilian Football (soccer Midfielder. Adamstown Rosebuds Soccer Club (founded July 12, 1889) is a semi-professional Football (soccer club based in Adamstown a suburb of Newcastle Middle Park was a Football (soccer venue located in Middle Park Victoria, Australia. Middle Park was a Football (soccer venue located in Middle Park Victoria, Australia. The Marconi Stallions are an Australian Football (soccer club from Sydney, Australia. Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Olympic Park Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor Stadium located in Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The Marconi Stallions are an Australian Football (soccer club from Sydney, Australia. Middle Park was a Football (soccer venue located in Middle Park Victoria, Australia. The Sunshine George Cross Football Club is an Australian Football (soccer club from Sunshine, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Olympic Park Stadium is a multi-purpose outdoor Stadium located in Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne Knights Football Club is a Football (soccer club representing Melbourne in the Victorian Premier League (VPL and is a two-time championship Altona Magic Soccer Club are an Australian Football (soccer team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Australia. The Bob Jane Stadium (also known as Lakeside Stadium) is a Football (soccer Stadium in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia Angelos Postecoglou (also Postekos) (born 27 August 1965 is an Australian Football (soccer coach and former player Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian Paolo (Paul Vincenzo Trimboli (born February 25, 1969) is a former Australian international Football (soccer player of Italian 56 - Doug Brown, 48 goals in 86 games^[54]
• Most Clean Sheets: 78 - Peter Laumets, 213 games^[54]
• Biggest Winning Streak: 9 games - 30/09/1984 - 24/03/1985^[54]
• Biggest Losing Streak: 6 games - 27/10/1995 - 02/12/1995^[54]
• Biggest Unbeaten Streak: 21 games - 12/08/1984 - 28/04/1985^[54]

Current squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Dean Anastasiadis 2 DF Shane Nunes 3 DF Adam van Dommele 4 DF Steven O'Dor 5 DF Con Blatsis 6 MF Scott McNicol 7 FW Hamlet Armenian 8 MF Stuart Kelly 9 FW Gianni De Nittis 10 MF Bill Natsioulas 11 FW Ricky Diaco 12 FW Goran Zorić

No. In many team Sports a goalkeeper (termed goaltender netminder, goalie, or keeper in some sports Dean Anastasiadis (born 06 June, 1970 in Melbourne, Australia) is a Greek Australian Football (soccer player In Association football (soccer a defender is a player who tries to prevent the other team from scoring In Association football (soccer a defender is a player who tries to prevent the other team from scoring Adam van Dommele (born 5 September 1984 in Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia) is an Australian Football (soccer player In Association football (soccer a defender is a player who tries to prevent the other team from scoring Steven O'Dor (born January 28, 1987 in Melbourne) is an Australian Football (soccer player who has represented Australia In Association football (soccer a defender is a player who tries to prevent the other team from scoring Con Blatsis (born 6 July 1977 in Melbourne) is a Greek Australian Association football player who plays for South Melbourne For the Australian Rules position see Midfielder (Australian Rules. Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, are the players on a team in Association football (soccer in the row nearest to the opposing For the Australian Rules position see Midfielder (Australian Rules. Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, are the players on a team in Association football (soccer in the row nearest to the opposing Gianni De Nittis (born June 18, 1986) is an Australian Football (soccer player who plays for South Melbourne FC in the For the Australian Rules position see Midfielder (Australian Rules. Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, are the players on a team in Association football (soccer in the row nearest to the opposing Ricky Diaco (born June 6, 1982) is an Australian Football (soccer player who played as a Striker for the Melbourne Victory Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, are the players on a team in Association football (soccer in the row nearest to the opposing Position Player 13 MF Antonio La Verde 14 DF Ramazan Tavşancıoğlu 15 MF Fernando de Moraes 16 MF Benji Vahid 17 MF Nick Curtis 18 MF Yusef Yusef 19 MF Andrew Bourakis 20 FW Nathan Caldwell 21 GK Nick Jelić 22 DF Sam Poutakidis 23 DF Rob Wynne 41 GK Stefaan Sardelic

In season player movements

In

• Scott Macnicol from Oakleigh Cannons
• Stuart Kelly from Oakleigh Cannons
• Ashley Cattermole from Tamworth FC
• Ljubisa Nikolic from Bentleigh Greens
• Yehonnes Yekono from Westgate SC
• Maxim Avram from Port Melbourne Sharks
• Tommi Tomich from ECU Joondalup
• Luca Napoletano from Assago Milano
• Adem Tavsacioglu from Southern Stars

Out

• Mladen Tosić to Kingston City
• Jose Vazquez to Fawkner Blues

Notable Former Players

Notable Former Coaches

• Paddy Sloan
• Ferenc Puskás
• Tommy Docherty
• Ange Postecoglou
• Frank Arok
• Kostas Nestoridis

Affiliated Clubs

• Floreat Athena
• West Adelaide SC

South Melbourne FC Kit Evolution

1959-1964

1965

1966

1968

1969-1971

1975-1976

1977-1978

1979-1981

1983-1984

1986

1994

1997

1999

2002

2006

External links

• South Melbourne FC official site
• SMFCBoard fan forum
• OzFootball NSL page
• OzFootball Victorian football page
• OzFootball South Melbourne Page
• Images of South Melbourne fans

References

FIFA Oceania Club Championship 1999 Winners
South Melbourne FC First title