List of Italian soccer clubs in Victoria, Australia
The Italian community of Australia has played an influential role in the history of Australian soccer, particularly evident in the state of Victoria. Numerous stand-alone, merged and de-merged clubs[1][2] have been formed since 1930, primarily in the Greater Melbourne area. Clubs can also be presently found in the Geelong, Latrobe Valley & Goulburn Valley areas. As of the 2020 season, the Italian community is represented in all eight competitive state leagues, with a handful of clubs competing in competitive rural and metropolitan amateur leagues. Multiple Australian national team players featured for Italian backed clubs in their youth before making their international debuts.[3]
History
[edit]The first known Italian football/sporting club founded in Victoria was Savoia, which was founded in the early 1930s. The club dissolved as a result of World War II, however remnants of the club lead to the founding of the second-ever and currently oldest presently operating clubs being Brunswick Zebras (and Moreland Zebras).[4] Numerous clubs are believed to have taken various types of inspirations from professional clubs in Italy.
It is debated regarding which club is the most successful and has the largest following after multiple mergers and de-mergers. Brunswick Zebras was one of three Italian-backed clubs to participate in Australia's former national tier one league, the National Soccer League, with the others being Carlton and Gippsland Falcons. Then playing under the name Brunswick Juventus, the club were national champions of the 1985 season, and were Southern conference premiers of the 1986 season.[5] Carlton would finish second in their inaugural in both the regular season[6] and the final series,[7] and won its first silverware in the 1999–00 season in finishing first in the National Youth League. Today, a total of twenty four clubs are known to have a considerable connection to the Italian community.
Active clubs
[edit]As of the 2022 Football Season
| Club | Founded | Location | League (Senior Men's) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale FC | 1984 | Parkville, Melbourne | NPL | Permanent standalone club, founded as 'Keilor United'. |
| Bell Park Sports Club | 1959 | Bell Park, Geelong | VSL 4 West | Permanent standalone club, founded by members of the defunct Geelong Soccer Club (Italian) along with Croatians and British Australians. |
| Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC | 2015 | Bulleen, Melbourne | NPL 3 | Founded by the merger of original standalone clubs Boroondara Lions, Doncaster Inter (Italian), Kew Eagles (Italian), and Old Carey. |
| Brimbank Stallions FC | 1986 | Sunshine, Melbourne | VSL 1 North-West | Permanent standalone club. |
| Brunswick Zebras Junior FC | 1964 | Brunswick East, Melbourne | VSL 4 North | Founded by the merger of unnamed clubs, under the name 'Juventus', with de-merger history with latter clubs Bulleen Lions, Moreland Zebras and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Brunswick Juventus FC | 1997 | Fawkner, Melbourne | NPL 2 | History of club is disputed, founded by the mergers and de-mergers of eight original standalone clubs. Foundation dates are disputed, the club claims to be founded as Brunswick Zebras FC in 1948, other clubs claim it was founded in 1997, but was established in its current form in 2007. |
| Carlton Azzurri SSC | 1979 | Carlton, Melbourne | MCSA - Saturday & Sunday Premier League | Permanent standalone club, and has never competed under Football Victoria. |
| Epping City SC | 1981 | Epping, Melbourne | VSL 2 North-West | Permanent standalone club. |
| Essendon Royals SC | 1959 | Essendon, Melbourne | NPL 3 | Founded by the merger of original standalone clubs of East Brunswick, Fiorentina, Ivanhoe, Moonee Ponds and Triestina, under the name 'Essendon-Brunswick Royals', with de-merger history with latter club Bulleen Lions. |
| Fawkner SC | 2010 | Fawkner, Melbourne | VSL 3 North-West | Founded as & currently a standalone club, with de-merger history with latter and original clubs Manningham United, Moreland Zebras, North Reservoir, Regent and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Falcons 2000 SC | 2000 | Morwell | La Trobe Valley Soccer League | Permanent standalone club, founded as 'IASCO'. |
| FC Bulleen Lions | 1974 | Bulleen, Melbourne | NPL 2 | Founded as & currently a standalone club, with de-merger history with latter clubs Essendon Royals, Moreland Zebras and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Manningham Juventus FC | 1964 | Doncaster, Melbourne | VSL 4 East | Founded as 'Juventus Old Boys', being the social veterans squad of Brunswick Juventus, but amalgamated with Marcellin Old Collegians in 2022 to form a state league senior squad. |
| Knox United SC | 2003 | Rowville, Melbourne | VSL 5 South | Permanent standalone club. |
| Manningham United Blues FC | 1999 | Doncaster, Melbourne | NPL 2 | Founded by the merging and de-merging of Fawkner, North Reservoir and Regent that became Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues, and finally becoming Manningham United and Fawkner SC. |
| Mildura City SC | 1973 | Mildura | Sunraysia Football League | Permanent standalone club, founded as 'Milan SC'. |
| Myrtleford Savoy SC | 1959 | Myrtleford | Albury Wodonga League | Permanent standalone club. |
| Northern Falcons FC | 1986 | Thornbury, Melbourne | VSL 4 North | Permanent standalone club, founded as 'Flemington Floridia'. |
| Old Xaverians SC | 2002 | Kew East, Melbourne | VSL 4 North | Permanent standalone club. |
| Shepparton South SC | 1971 | Shepparton | Bendigo Amateur Soccer League | Permanent standalone club. |
| Tatura SC | 1961 | Tatura | Bendigo Amateur Soccer League | Permanent standalone club. |
| Thornbury Athletic FC | 2014 | Reservoir, Melbourne | VSL 4 North | Permanent standalone club. |
| Three Colours SC | 1980 | Mildura | Sunraysia Football League | Permanent standalone club following a partial breakaway from Mildura City SC. |
| Werribee City FC | 1969 | Werribee, Melbourne | NPL 2 | Permanent standalone club. |
| Whittlesea Ranges FC | 1971 | Epping, Melbourne | VSL 1 North-West | History of club is disputed, founded as the merger of the original club Thomastown TEL with a partial splitting of Moreland Zebras in 2009, with de-merger history with latter club Bulleen Lions. |
| Templestowe Wolves FC | 2023 | Templestowe, Melbourne | VSL 5 East | Founded as the merger of the original club Macedon Blues with the 2022 VCFA champions The Blackburn Newhope FC Lupi. Their team has celebrated their italian heritage which is linked to Avellino in Campania. |
Former clubs
[edit]As of June 2022
| Club | Founded | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford Tassa SC | 1978 | Fairfield, Melbourne | Founded as 'Abbotsford', renamed as 'Abbotsford Tassa' in 1981 and finally 'East Preston', disbanded in 1986. |
| Anstey Roma SC | 1968 | Brunswick, Melbourne | Amalgamated in 1970 with Essendon Royals SC. |
| Azzurri SC | 1962 | Brunswick West, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1963. |
| Batman United SC | 1979 | Coburg, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1992. |
| Boroondara Eagles SC | 2008 | Wantirna South, Melbourne | Merged in 2014 with Old Carey to become Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC. |
| Box Hill SC | 1922 | Box Hill South, Melbourne | No longer supported by the Italian community. Was acquired by the Italian community in 1992 and merged with Clayton Inter to become Box Hill Inter and Clayton FC (disbanded 2007), and later Melbourne Zebras and Bulleen Lions in 1997 to become Bulleen Inter Kings. De-merged in 2000 and was later sold in 2011 to the Greek community club Southern Suburbs SC. |
| Cartlon SC | 1997 | Carlton North, Melbourne | Disbanded in 2000. |
| Clayton FC | 1966 | Clayton South, Melbourne | Merged in 1992 with Box Hill to become Box Hill Inter, now known as Box Hill United. |
| Doncaster Inter SC | 1986 | Doncaster, Melbourne | Founded as 'Intercity', merged in 1994 with Kew Eagles to become Templestowe Eagles, finally becoming Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC. |
| East Brunswick SC | 1970 | Brunswick East, Melbourne | Merged in 1988 with Ivanhoe City to become East Brunswick-Ivanhoe, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| East Brunswick Reggina SC | 1988 | Brunswick East, Melbourne | Founded as 'East Brunswick-Ivanhoe', merged in 1995 with Essendon City MP to become Essendon-Brunswick Royals, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| East Cartlon SC | 1969 | Carlton North, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1983. |
| East Nunawading SC | 1986 | Nunawading, Melbourne | Founded as 'Nunawading United' from the merging of Nunawading United and Vermont SC, disbanded in 1996. |
| Essendon City Jets SC | 1988 | Essendon, Melbourne | Founded as 'Essendon City Triestina MP', merged in 1995 with East Brunswick Reggina to become Essendon-Brunswick Royals, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues FC | 2004 | Fawkner, Melbourne | De-merged in 2006, becoming Fawkner Blues (de-merged 2010) and Whittlesea Zebras (de-merged 2009), all finally becoming Fawkner, Manningham United, Moreland Zebras, and Whittelsea Ranges respectively. |
| Fiorentina SC | 1958 | Fairfield, Melbourne | Merged in 1963 with Triestina SC to become Essendon City Triestina SC, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| Footscray Capri SC | 1950 | Footscray, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1961. |
| Geelong SC | 1953 | Geelong East, Geelong | Disbanded in 1963, members later founded Bell Park SC along with Croatians and British Australians.[8] |
| Kew Eagles SC | 1982 | Kew East, Melbourne | Founded as 'Epping Eagles', later 'Eagles United', merged in 1994 with Doncaster Inter to become Templestowe Eagles, finally becoming Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC. |
| Ivanhoe City SC | 1973 | Ivanhoe, Melbourne | Founded as 'Central Brunswick', and later 'Dallas City', merged in 1988 with East Brunswick to become East Brunswick-Ivanhoe, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| Juventus Old Boys SC | 1965 | Doncaster, Melbourne | Merged with Marcellin Old Collegians in 2022 to become present club Manningham Juventus. |
| Macleod United SC | 1979 | Macleod, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1983, possible amalgamation with Ivanhoe City. |
| Marcellin Old Collegians SC | 2001 | Bulleen, Melbourne | Merged with Juventus Old Boys in 2022 to become present club Manningham Juventus. |
| Moonee Ponds SC | 1973 | Moonee Ponds, Melbourne | Founded as 'Croxton' and later renamed as 'Moonnee Ponds' in 1979. Merged in 1983 with Essendon City Triestina to become Essendon City Triestina MP, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| North Richmond SC | 1959 | Burnley, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1960. |
| North Reservoir SC | 1993 | Reservoir, Melbourne | Merged in 2000 with Thomastown-Regent Raiders to become Whittlesea Stallions, all finally becoming Fawkner, Manningham United, Moreland Zebras and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Nunawading United SC | 1972 | Nunawading, Melbourne | Merged with Vermont SC to become 'Forest Hill SC' in 1986, finally becoming 'East Nunawading SC'. |
| Pascoe Vale Falcons SC | 2007 | Pascoe Vale, Melbourne | Disbanded in 2007. |
| Savoia SC | 1930 | Parkville, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1939, remnants later becoming Brunswick Zebras FC and Moreland Zebras respectively. |
| Sicilia Kensington SC | 1963 | Flemington, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1963. |
| Templestowe Eagles SC | 1994 | Doncaster, Melbourne | Merged in 2008 with Kew Eagles to become Boroondara Eagles, finally becoming Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC. |
| Thomastown Devils FC | 1971 | Thomastown, Melbourne | Merged in 1997 to become Thomastown Zebras, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions, Moreland Zebras and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Thomastown-Regent Raiders SC | 1969 | Thomastown, Melbourne | Merged in 2000 with North Reservoir to become Whittlesea Stallions, in 2007 becoming Fawkner, Manningham United, Moreland Zebras and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Triestina SC | 1961 | Coburg, Melbourne | Merged in 1965 with Fiorentina to become Essendon City Triestina, all finally becoming Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals respectively. |
| Vermont SC | 1978 | Blackburn South, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1985. |
| West Melbourne SC | 1958 | Parkville, Melbourne | Refounded in 1976 after a five year hiatus (1971–1975), but disbanded in 1984. |
| West Melbourne Sicilia SC | 1958 | Parkville, Melbourne | Merged in 1963 with Kensington to become Sicilia Kensington (disbanded 1963). |
| Westall SC | 1981 | Parkville, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1985. |
| Whittlesea Stallions FC | 2000 | Epping, Melbourne | Merged in 2004 with Fawkner to become Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues, in 2007 becoming Fawkner, Manningham United, Moreland Zebras, and Whittlesea Ranges respectively. |
| Williamstown Inter SC | 1970 | Williamstown, Melbourne | Disbanded in 1979. |
See also
[edit]- Italian Australians
- Italian community of Melbourne
- List of Italian soccer clubs in Australia
- List of sports clubs inspired by others
- List of Croatian soccer clubs in Australia
- List of Greek Soccer clubs in Australia
- List of Serbian soccer clubs in Australia
References
[edit]- ^ "ICHIST.pdf". Google Docs.
- ^ Hassett, Sebastian (1 December 2011). "When the Falcons took flight, a region soared with them - but crash was coming". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "The Influence of Australian Migrant Minorities on Soccer Today".
- ^ Gorman, Joe (7 September 2015). "The forgotten story of … Brunswick Juventus' 1985 NSL championship | Joe Gorman" – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Victorian Football Club Archive - Maidstone United to Murray United". www.ozfootball.net.
- ^ "Australian Soccer". www.ozfootball.net.
- ^ "1998 National Soccer League Playoff results". www.ozfootball.net.
- ^ "Geelong Soccer Club History".
