It takes a special man to be involved with a football club for over three decades and Zdrave Joseski is no exception.
Joseski’s connection with the Rockdale City Suns began in the 1970’s when he signed on as a player in the St George District.
Since then he has been a permanent fixture at the Suns including a stint playing in the club’s first grade side through to his current role as a groundsman.
“I’m a groundsman but also about everything else in the club,” he told Football NSW.
“Anything that breaks down at the club I will fix it, painting and cutting grass anything.
“I have been here over 30 years and I love it.”
The 68-year-old’s devotion to Rockdale is something to admire with majority of his work for the club being in a voluntary capacity.
Club officials state Joseski has stood the test of time at the club, seeing a plethora of presidents, committee members and players come and go – and he has no plans to change it.
“I love to be out on the fields watching the kids playing football, that is what I enjoy,” he said.
“I’m not a drinker and don’t gamble so this is my hobby and I love it.
“The young people who know run the club are also very good to me as were the older guard so I will do this for as long as I can.”
As recognition of his immense services to the club in 2014 he was awarded the Club Person of the Year award.
Although he plans to go on a holiday in a fortnight’s time, Joseski said he will keep a keen eye on the competition.
“This year we do not have a bad side and so far we are doing well,” he said.
“When I am overseas I will be checking the scores always because this is what I love, football is my passion.”
– By Chris Georges
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
Archives for May 2016
Team of the Week – Round 11 – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s
After every round of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Men’s season Team of the Week brings to focus the best players from that weekend.
A goal from striker Jordan Figon helped Sutherland Sharks to a 2-0 win over APIA, thanks to an inspired first half from the talented youngster. Having failed to secure the three points in their last five games, the Sharks turned in a fine display, with Figon and former Tigers player Stephen Kayes particularly damaging. Delivering some clever passes and regularly troubling APIA’s defence, the high tempo game of Figon saw his side pepper the away team’s goal. After scoring the opener in the 32nd minute, the young forward could have had a brace in the second half, with only a clumsy foul from APIA’s defence denying him the chance
Playing against his former club, Kayes picked up man-of-the-match honours through a dominating display in midfield, applying great pressure off the ball and feeding some smart passes to his strikers. Sutherland’s Nick Littler again proved his status as one of the competition’s premier defenders with a sold game at the back, snuffing out any chance of an APIA goal to ensure his side kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win.
Hat-trick hero Chris Payne was the main destroyer in Sydney United 58’s commanding win over Hakoah. Payne needed little time to warm-up, finding the goal in the 7th minute. The former Olyroo combined superbly with Panni Nikas in a flurry of quick passes, with Payne eventually delivering the finishing touch to secure his brace. Payne kicked up a gear in the second half, causing headaches for the defence. Even after claiming his hat-trick on the hour mark, Payne’s hunger for goals continued and he was unlucky not to have a fourth – his tally has now been brought to 13 for the year. Defender Theo Kofinas played a strong game at the back, aerially dominating play and consistently foiling the Hakoah attack as his side look towards a top-of-the-table showdown with Blacktown City next week in Heritage Round.
This upcoming clash looks set to end the winning streak for one of the sides, after a 10-man Blacktown City powered over Manly in a thrilling 2-1 comeback. The dynamic Danny Choi was everywhere for City, setting up countless chances through some electrifying runs down the left edge and pressuring United relentlessly. After a quick-fire goal from Sam Gallagher placed the home side on the back foot, Choi dazzled in attack with some fine crosses and boundless energy. His efforts were rewarded when he set-up Blacktown’s equaliser, before a 73rd minute penalty presented Choi with an opportunity to give his side the lead; which he executed without fault. Gallagher impressed for Manly late in the match as he tried desperately for a second, but could’t find the goal.
Despite a late fightback from Spartans, the Sydney Olympic outfit held on for a tough 2-1 win which saw young Jacob Boutoubia secure man-of-the-match honours. In the 11th minutes, the Olympic striker put his side ahead when the ball bounced his way in the penalty area. Boutoubia fired off an array of powerful shots throughout the rest of the match, with one unfortunately hitting the cross bar. Team mate Will Angel was composed in defence, keeping the Spartan attack at bay. Even when a late Spartan surge threatened to undo Olympic’s hard work, Angel was on hand to shut down the raids.
An outstanding performance in goal from seasoned veteran Justin Pasfield bailed Wollongong out of trouble, after they were reduced to 10 men for nearly an hour of their match against Bonnyrigg. Holding a slender one-goal lead in the second half, the White Eagles pressed relentlessly as they looked to out muscle the 10-man Wolves outfit. However some heroic from Pasfield kept his side alive, the former A-league star pulling off some excellent reflex saves in the 60th minute. By snatching a goal a few minutes later, the Wolves held on for a dramatic 1-1 draw.
The final match of the round saw Rockdale grind out a 1-0 away win over Parramatta. A goal to Blake Ricciuto proved to be the difference, the talented midfielder nailing the only goal of the match. Ricciuto worked tirelessly throughout the game, controlling play in midfield with some composed touches and good vision. Having won their last four games now, Rockdale will be looking to maintain their good form in next week’s highly anticipated Heritage Round clash with Bonnyrigg.
Be sure to check out next week’s HERITAGE ROUND Team of the Week!
-By Harry Easton
HERITAGE ROUND: Journeyman Phil Filler a legend at Hakoah
It has been a long, arduous road back to the top of the state football pyramid for Hakoah Sydney City East, but now that they are back they are right where they along according to Phil Filler.
Filler has filled a number of roles over the years at the club.
“I don’t even know how many years it has been,” Filler said with a laugh.
“I remember going back to all the old grounds like Marconi and Wentworth Park in the 60s and 70s.
“I’ve been involved since those days until maybe two years ago when I was still managing the under-18 team.
“And to me it was always about the kids coming through the ranks, developing and getting off the streets and into a great sport.”
That philosophy has served the club well in recent years as the once foundation members of the old National Soccer League.
Hakoah was the original NSL champion in 1977, when they competed as Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.
In 1978 they became Sydney City and relocated to ES Marks Field and would win a total of four NSL championships before exiting the national competition in 1988.
Three consecutive promotions in three years has seen the club return to the top competition in the state, with the club proving more than competitive in its first season back in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
And Filler says the crucial point was reinventing the club in the state leagues as a semi-professional club.
“The emphasis was on achieving two main goals, to climb the ranks – which is always important – and to give the kids we had the best facilities and the best coaching we could,” Filler said.
“I think it is fantastic that we are back. It gives the kids we have something to aspire to.”
And while this week is Heritage Round – and there is no shortage of heritage at Hakoah – Filler is most excited for the club’s future.
Maccabi-Hakoah announced plans to redevelop the old Tennis New South Wales headquarters in White City.
Filler played a big role in acquiring the land for the club, which will be redeveloped into – among other things – a new world class base for the football club.
“It’s a great club,” Filler said.
“I’m proud to say high on the agenda for Light City is a state of the art football field with surrounding club house and other features
“And the Hakoah social club Is looking at more. Futsal, basketball, swimming and a gym.
“They are developing a fantastic sports centre for the benefit of the community and it’s a great coup as far as I’m concerned.
“Ensuring the best surfaces for the players is important for the players.”
– By Matt Galea
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
HERITAGE ROUND: Spartans’ dynamic duo
Players and coaches usually steal the headlines in football, but for this year’s PlayStation4® National Premier Leagues New South Wales Men’s Heritage Round, Blacktown Spartans wants to recognise two of its most committed members.
They have not kicked a ball for the club, but they have ensured that those that do – and those that simply go to Blacktown Football Park to support – never go hungry.
Maree Toomey and Michelle Cadorin are synonymous with the Spartans.
Though the club is not the league’s most storied club and does not boast the national league experience of some of its competitors, the Spartans have always been a vibrant and active member of the state football in New South Wales.
The club’s history under many names goes back years and years.
From the early days of playing out of Francis Park in Blacktown, up to the modern era at Rooty Hill, Maree and Michelle have been involved, ensuring no one in the ground ever goes hungry.
More than just the Spartans, the contribution of these two women has touched the entire Blacktown and District Football Association.
They have been a part of the fabric of football in Blacktown for many-a-year and while they have seen many coaches and players come and go and endured ups and downs of form on the park, their enthusiasm for the club and Blacktown football in general has never diminished.
Whatever is happening off the pitch, you can always count to see Maree and Michelle’s cheeky smile in the canteen.
Truly, they encapsulate everything that is special about football and its strength in the local community – as well as the volunteers and dedicated members who support football at this level.
Without these two Super Spartans, football in Blacktown just would not be the same.
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
HERITAGE ROUND: Bozidar Vrankovic: A True Bonnrigg White Eagles Icon
Spending almost half a century at one club, being there almost every day is near impossible.
Not for Bonnyrigg White Eagles’ Bozidar “Bob” Vrankovic.
The popular “Bob”, as he’s called around Bonnyrigg Sports Ground, arrived in Australia in 1965, at only 21 years of age.
Three years after his arrival, Avala FC was formed (today’s White Eagles).
Bob, alongside his late brother, was part of the first ever Avala team and played there for the next six years.
“When we came here, we were drawn to this club.
“The Serbian community, it was a Serbian club and where ever our people were, I wanted to be there too.
“I loved being there.”
Bob continues with a memory of a fox.
“At 24 I played my first game for the club who were then called Avala, named after a mountain in our native Serbia.
“I hung up my boots at 30 but have stayed with the club through and through ever since.”
He has watched the White Eagles evolve during its 50-year plus existence, remembering his best moments with the club.
“Since 68’ till now I’ve been here, always.
“The 1992 team I think was the best that we have ever had.
“We won the Premiership, Grand Final and Waratah Cup.”
Bob had one special player he thought was the standout during the treble winning generation and one name stood out.
“It’s tough as there were good players all over the park but I think the one that stands out was Pero Vukmirovic.”
The Bonnyrigg stalwart remembers some of the toughest times his club went through.
“We spent a lot of money in 2005, had a very good team.
“Bobby Despotovski, two international goalkeepers in Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix) and Danny Vukovic (Melbourne Victory) and all big players who played in the old ‘Phillips League’ or NSL.
“We didn’t end up winning anything that year despite coming second in the Premiership and losing the Grand Final.
“What followed was our relegation to the second tier and that hurt everyone.”
When asked which game has left a mark on him over the years, his dearest victory, Bob’s memory was as clear as day.
“In 1977, it was our first clash against Yugal at Macksfield, we beat them 1-0.
“That same season, we beat Sydney Croatia (Sydney United 58), 1-0 in the Cup as well.
“Those two games are the dearest in my life, since I’ve been a part of this great club.”
Today, in his 70s, Bob still plays a major role around the club, taking care of the facilities and of course, in one of the most popular ‘officials’ in the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s competition.
– By Nikola Pozder
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre