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Home of the Men's National Premier League NSW

Adam and Monge jet for Greek adventure

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Sydney Olympic young guns Mo Adam and Fabian Monge departed Sydney for Athens on Wednesday evening with the dynamic duo set to wear the colours of Greek Super League 2 outfit Xanthi FC for the 2021-2022 season.

The duo dazzled the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition this year showcasing their rich talents after arriving at the club this season.

17-year-old Matthew Scarcella also joined his teammates on a trip that all three hope will spearhead their footballing careers further.

All players will link up with a familiar name to many following the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition in former Sydney Olympic coach Jaime Monroy.

Monroy took charge of the Blues during the 2017 NPL NSW Me’s season and was recently announced as Xanthi FC’s new Head Coach for the 2021-2022 season.

Xanthi are hoping to go one better this year in achieving their goal of winning promotion into the Greek First Division after missing out last season bowing out in the final playoff match against Panetolikos.

“We wish the players the best of luck and thank them for their contribution to our club,” the Club stated in its official press statement.

“We are disappointed to see them leave as they are exceptionally talented players but as a club, we are very happy and proud that we are able to play a role in providing this opportunity to further their career.”

“Back to Blacktown Day” ready to ignite this Sunday

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It will be a festival like atmosphere as one of the most successful National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clubs Blacktown City are set to run its famous “Back to Blacktown Day”, this Sunday when the team hosts yet another blockbuster side in Sydney United 58 this Sunday 6th of June at Lily Homes Stadium.

The Board of Blacktown City will be acknowledging the great contribution of all past and present players, coaches, and managers in influencing a successful and positive footballing culture both on and off the pitch which is still present today.

The club has urged Blacktown City fans to come out in their droves and to wear ‘black on black’ in a show of support to their beloved side.

Lily Homes Stadium or once upon a time known as Gabbie Stadium, has seen many great footballers pass through the hallowed turf with the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, Robbie Slater, Lawrie McKinna, Mark Milligan, Maty Ryan, Scott Jamison, Oliver Bozanic and Mitchell Duke just to name a few donning the City kit.

The Board have urged any past players, coaches, and members to make themselves present in what will be a huge day for the club and local community as they hope they can cheer Mark Crittenden’s side to victory in one of the most highly anticipated clashes all season.

Match Details

Sunday 6th June 2021

Blacktown City v Sydney United 58

20s – 1pm

1st Grade – 3pm

Legends game brings back that Feel Good Nostalgia We’ve Missed

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It was a who’s who of past National Soccer League stars and Socceroo Legends as Lambert Park was the place to be on Sunday 30th of May as APIA Leichhardt hosted Sydney Olympic in the ‘Festival of Football’ weekend with the main attraction being centred around the ‘Legends’ clash.

The 4000 strong crowd was treated to some quality action seeing some familiar faces still loving the beautiful game as they turned back the clock in strutting their stuff in front of fans, family, and friends.

A tear-jerking moment was the arrival of one of Australia’s greatest ever coaches, the man himself, Rale Rasic, as he was paraded in front of the many supporters on an Audi in the middle of Lambert Park. The former Socceroo legendary coach was holding the fort in APIA’s den barking orders only he knew best as Head Coach and what a sight and sound that was.

Then you had ‘The Kat’, Peter Katholos enter the arena in yet another Audi. One of the slickest maestros who ever played the game, Katholos had the pleasure of playing for both APIA and Olympic but had head coaching duties for the Blues.

The dulcet tones of one of Australia’s most recognisable football personalities, Heartbeat of Football’s Andy Paschalidis was also something special. His 60 plus minutes of commentary was magnificent and only Andy could pull off, commentating the names he once proudly did so during his Golden SBS days.

Seeing stars such as Peter Katholos, Robbie Hooker, Pablo Cardozo, Norman Tome, Mark Byrnes, Grant Lee, Paul Dee, Rod Brown, Nick Plataniotis, Spiro Hantzis, Zlatko Nastevski, Nick Rizzo, Lawrie McKinna, John Buonavoglia, Robbie Younis and Greg Woodhouse to name a few do their thing was a marvel in itself.

You could tell that both sets of teams have not lost that special feeling this game truly gives us, the power to enjoy, to express and to entertain. Those thinking this match was a friendly match were told otherwise as both sets of players gave it their all as if it were back in their golden days.

If I’m not mistaken the coveted number 10 jersey was worn by a couple of APIA stars all of which that wowed and dazzled their faithful crowds of yesteryears, was yet another wonderful touch on a glorious day for football.

It wasn’t just a match for the Golden Oldies but it was also amazing to see the officials recognised. The five amigos of referee Con Diomis, assistants Sandro Petricarini and Jim Nicolaou, 4th Official Emmanuel Loupis and Assessor Robert Colombo asserted their authority as they did many years ago.

Although the match ended 2-2 apiece, the real winner was our beautiful game, football.

Kudos to APIA’s honorary President Tony Raciti, his board, and staff as well as Sydney Olympic for putting on such a special moment and memory that will be cherished by the many that attended the match.

It certainly brought back memories of the classic NSL days, nostalgia was certainly at its finest.

The smiles, hands shakes and stories that were relived and discussed on a day two iconic Australian Football teams celebrated the world game will never be forgotten.

Looking forward to this initiative getting bigger and better in 2022 and beyond.

Football NSW respecting the heritage and the clubs and footballers that brought the World Game to us.

 

Thomas James returns to Canberra

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The National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and the Wollongong Wolves have bided farewell to 2019 Gold Medal and Golden Boot winner Thomas James who has returned to the ACT with his former club Canberra Croatia FC the likely destination. 

The 27-year-old striker took the NPL NSW Men’s competition by storm when the Wolves snapped up the Englishman in 2019 where was crowned the Player of the Year as well as Golden Boot award winner scoring 24 goals.

James also played a pivotal role in breaking the club’s 31-year drought for a Premiership when they captured the title in 2019 as well as earning Luke Wilkshire’s side the NPL Finals Championship.

The possible mid-season signing of James will no doubt boost Canberra Croatia FC’s title push as they sit in third position, just two points shy of top spot currently occupied by Tigers FC.

APIA Leichhardt and Sydney Olympic to battle for ‘Best in the Inner West’ Title

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Two of Australia’s most iconic Football names, APIA Leichhardt FC and Sydney Olympic FC have joined forces to create a “Festival of Football” over two days, culminating on Sunday May 30th at Lambert Park when one of these two historic clubs will be crowned ‘The Best in the Inner West’ for 2021.

“APIA and Olympic are two of only three clubs in NSW who have teams in both the National Premier Leagues NSW top tier Men’s and Women’s competitions, two historic clubs, two proud and two well-supported clubs, who better to do it with,” said legendary APIA Leichhardt FC President Tony Raciti.

“The event will be spectacular, not only will our Youth teams have something extra to play for, but both Senior Men’s teams have improved in the last month and should be in the top 5 by the time the “Festival of Football” comes around.

“Between the two senior Women’s teams there are over 20 W-League star players, The legends game which already has confirmation from more than 20 players who have played over 80 times for the Socceroos will be brilliant, we will have LIVE Italian and Greek entertainment and we have over 30 food stalls already confirmed.

“It’s without any doubt the biggest National Premier Leagues NSW Footballing event of the last decade, maybe ever and both clubs are working together to ensure we break the NPL NSW League attendance record.

“It’s an event for all ages.

“Sydney Olympic have really brought into the vision and credit to them and we will replicate their support next year when we expand the event to a home and away format.

“Now I implore all you supporters of both clubs to get behind the event, purchase your tickets and we can show how two grand clubs can work together,” ended Raciti.

The “Festival of Football” concept has been created to ensure a whole club atmosphere with the NPL NSW Boys and Girls Youth League teams playing as a curtain-raiser on Saturday May 29th at Lambert Park.

All eight teams will play a huge part in the overall result of who will be crowned “The Best in the Inner West”.

“I think it’s a great concept,” said Sydney Olympic CEO John Boulos.

“Including the Youth teams makes it a club focused event and not just primarily on the Senior teams, which improves and builds the culture within the club, something that both clubs do very well already, but it will only grow with an event like this.

“We have already agreed next year we will run the Festival over two legs with one game being played at Lambert Park and the reverse fixture at Belmore Sports Ground.

“This promises to be something we run annually as one of the biggest events on the NPL NSW calendar and we know our large supporter base will get behind this event to make it a big success.”

TICKETING ANNOUNCEMENT 

Due to the unprecedented level of interest since the launch of the FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL, the event has now become a pre sale event ONLY.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE