Heritage Round: Tony Raciti continuing his legacy at APIA
APIA Leichhardt Tigers is one of the PS4 National Premier League’s proudest and oldest clubs.
It’s honorary president is Tony Raciti who would need no introduction at all. However, last March when the new Lambert Park opened he penned a beautiful address to the whole community in his “President’s Message” section of the match day program.
It thanked everybody except himself, but this Heritage Round we recognise people like Tony Raciti who have given so much to football in this country.
Please enjoy an edited version of that “President’s Message.”
“Saturday, 22 March 2014, without a doubt was the greatest day in the club’s history.
This proud historical club and significant community icon finally achieved a 60 year old dream, to have a state of the art world class football field and sporting complex, right here in our heartland of Lambert Park, Leichhardt.
Before recognizing the NSW Government’s and Clubs NSW significant contribution, there has been one extraordinary ally, every step of the way….I have said this constantly over the past 20 years and, here today, in the president’s message, I will state it once again, that without Wests Leagues Ashfield A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers may have struggled to survive.
NSW State Government and Clubs NSW, whose significant funding has allowed the club to achieve a world class state of the art football stadium….
The club now has a showpiece facility which we are extremely proud of and again we thank the NSW Government for their major assistance in helping the club to achieve its dream.
Apart from Club, Government and Clubs NSW funding we have had many supporters who have contributed serious funds and assisted on various contra scenarios.
I am personally proud, humbled and privileged to be the president of a club that has produced more Socceroos and National Team captains than any other club in Australia’s football history.
The club’s importance, history, tradition, heritage, and widespread community benefits, in providing a sporting environment for young Australians and the youth of the Inner West has been acknowledged…
Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer David Gallop, the Chairman of Football NSW Greg O’Rourke and FNSW Directors Mark Reading, Stephen Hayes, Jeanette Jones, Simon Phillips, Anter Isaac, James Chetcuti, Charlie Yankos OAM and Louie Apostolovski. And Eddie Moore, the FNSW Chief Executive Officer.
I would now like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Board of Management equally for their colossal work and commitment to the cause, that includes past, present and future.
The past history of the club must be recognized and acknowledged before moving forward.
In recent times a local family mortgaged their family home to ensure the club remained afloat.
There has been strong determination, passion, and devoted loyalty to ensure the ongoing existence and viability of this proud club.
Today we also honour A.P.I.A.’s greatest player ever, Joe Marston, by naming our new Pavilion in honour of his name.
Joe Marston became the first Australian to play in an FA Cup Final and the first Australian to play at Wembley. His team Preston North End, lost to West Bromwich Albion, but the experience remains for Marston the highlight of five extraordinary years at Preston, where he became so loved that he was recently named as the club’s fourth greatest player.
The Hyundai A-League Player of the Match in the Grand Final is named the Joe Marston Medal.
Also a special mention to our wives, husbands and families who have supported us through thick and thin, year in year out.
The club is held in such high esteem, so greatly admired and loved, such a community pillar and fabric of our society, such a significant focus of thousands of people’s daily lives when I meet new registered players, whether they are juniors or seniors, their parents, their grandparents, their relatives, their supporters, and friends, the respect shown towards me is unimaginable and I am genuinely, sincerely and deeply shocked by all of this.
This respect and admiration is solely attributed to the club brand, the name, the club culture, the history and of course, the game itself.
It is amazing and staggering, to understand and comprehend the importance of the club within our society and as a volunteer, it is simply an exhilarating feeling and privilege to be the honorary president and to be a part of it.
No amount of money could or would ever equal such an extraordinary and fabulous feeling in my life, and your lives.
I am blessed by my half century lifetime involvement, and I am sure you will all agree, and so are you.
To all our past A.P.I.A. greats, we thank you for your attendance here today and your past contribution – for adding towards the history of this great club.”
Heritage Round Match Details
APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Marconi Stallions
7:45pm Saturday 13th June @ Lambert Park
Tickets available at the game (Adults $15, Concessions $10)
-By Joe Russo
