Peninsula Strikers Soccer Club
History
Frankston Strikers Soccer Club was formed officially
in December 1993 with the amalgamation of 25 year old Karingal United
Soccer Club and 6 year old Frankston United Soccer Club and Frankston
United Junior Soccer Club.
Talks between some committee members from all clubs began many months
before that and the main aims were to:
a) Unify fragmented soccer interests in Frankston area
b) Provide better facilities for members and their families
c) Open the opportunity of advancement for the club
Meetings were held on 6th October 1993 when the decision to amalgamate
was made by majority vote by all three clubs. The final Annual General
Meetings were held a short time later in support of the amalgamation.
On Friday 26th November 1993 the inaugural General Meeting of the new
club was held in the McClelland Drive Clubrooms. A steering committee
was formed comprising members from all clubs and this was to be the
basis of the new committee to guide the club through it’s the
first year. Frankston Soccer Club officially commenced operation on
1st December 1993.
First business of the steering committee was to create a new image for
the club resulting in the name change to Frankston Strikers Soccer Club
and new club colours of green and gold.
The enthusiasm generated by the merger was evident by the support being
received from the Victorian Soccer Federation, the Frankston City and
local Council and Government representatives, with the City Council
showing their support and confidence in the new club with an extensive
renovation and upgrade of the ground.
In 1995 the Frankston City completed a $120,000 restructure of the playing
surface at Centenary Park which is a dedicated soccer complex of similar
design to Lakeside Stadium, home of South Melbourne Soccer Club. The
playing surface has been designated an "A" status by the Council
and receives top priority maintenance throughout the year. The Club
developed member and spectator facilities to ensure that the complex
will meet all criteria for promotion through the Leagues. The complex
is one of the finest sporting spectator facilities on the peninsula.
The Club took the first step in reaching their aims by earning promotion
from Division 4 in 1994 to State League Division 3 in 1995 where they
finished the season very strongly in 3rd position. The Club won the
1996 Division 3 Premiership and finished third in Division 2 in 1997,
fifth in Division 2 in 1998 and fourth in Division 2 in 1999, first
in Division 2 in 2000, 11th in Division 1 in 2001 and relegated, 8th
Division 2 South-East in 2002, 4th Division 2 South-East 2003, 11th
Division 2 South-East 2004 and relegated, 10th Division 3 South East
2005 and 11th Division 3 South East 2006
The local community have shown their support through good attendances
at home games at Centenary Park. The Club is always aiming to build
its supporter base from amongst the local community.
Additionally, major long term commitments have been developed with several
large sponsors which will guarantee the sound financial structure of
the Club for the future.
The Strikers breathed a huge sigh of relief at the completion of 2006
George Hughes had been appointed coach at the latter end of the season
and with a few new players had ensured that we would play in division
3 S.E. for 2007.
At the clubs AGM George announced that he had had discussions with Peninsula
Junior Soccer Club re amalgamation which would guarantee a strong junior
section and the possibility that some of these players would eventually
play senior soccer.
This move has eventuated with great success.
The climate really hit home over the next few months no rain and all
watering of grounds such as ours prohibited, the result was that the
grass died and we were informed by the local council that for 2007 we
would be re located to Ballam Park.
This ground had been the home of the Karingal club many years ago and
was taken over by MPCA club Long Island and a great deal of work done
on it so it was that we played all our matches at this venue.
Many new players had been signed and together with George and Doug Chisholm’s
coaching we found ourselves at the end of the season at Nunawading playing
to be league champions.
Perhaps it was meant to be that on his retirement game Steve Keenan
scored the winning goal.
Great celebrations went on for weeks afterwards season 2008 would see
us in division 2 S.E. and due to the council having put in summer grass
which is drought resistant we would return to our home ground at McClelland
Drive.
Season 2008 had promised to see the continued good fortune of the club,
all the club coaches both firsts and reserves had been reappointed,
pre-season began in December at the Monash hockey centre and all the
squad of 2007 started training, however after the Xmas break and the
start of training in January the players had changed dramatically, perhaps
to much celebrating had caused players to retire or jump ship for more
money at another club. George and Dougie began the process of signing
replacements. Sad to say the new players could not come to terms with
the higher football level. It was to be some time before we picked up
points. The season did not get any better, supporters were great but
rued the loss of so many players from the title winning side. The higher
the league the harder it is, money being a prime factor for whom a player
signs for, and so we could not attract better players able to deal with
the higher class of football. The end of the season found us second
bottom of the league and we would return to the third division in 2009.
But with the VSF changing the league structure to include more team
we stayed in Division 2.
2009, started in satisfaction as nearly all the players who would have
been in the relegation team once again put on a Strikers shirt. Added
to this two players arrived on working visas from the England. Negus
Henry and Steve Baxter, what a difference a top striker makes Negus
became a top goal scorer whilst Steve was a good midfielder. The seventeen
goals that Negus scored ensured a good season, after being relegated
it is sometimes hard to get motivation going but in our fourth place
finish the coaches had done just that. The club hoped now for some stability
in the club the hope we could build on the season it proved wishful
thinking and as fast as one season was finishing another just around
the corner the club lost both senior coaches plus a lot of players who
went with them.
Billy Armour who had been signed by the club at the latter part of 2009
was appointed player coach for the coming season. It was to prove a
difficult year for both coach and team. The loss of so many players
in the close season, a year full of injuries saw us struggling from
match to match. Billy proved a strong leader both on and off the pitch,
it was to take its toll however for once it was clear the club would
stay in division three Billy resigned, the club had gone through many
such seasons such as this but the main thing was that we would not go
down to the Provisional league.
So 2011 saw Billy Wright an ex New Zealand International appointed as
coach, Billy had previously coached Nunawading also in our league and
so he already knew a lot about our club. Billy was to bring a few players
with him but because of distance some left after a few weeks of first
team training. Once again the usual turnover in players occurred pre-season,
so more players needed to be signed, and overall through the season
we struggled, we had no depth and our wonderful supporter base put up
with the best we could offer, and they really are great supporters.
Once again we finished near the bottom of the league but again we would
continue to play the higher grade of football.
Jamie Skelly who had played in our title winning team of a few years
ago was appointed coach for 2012. A young coach who had learned his
trade as Langwarrin’s under 21 side coach his credentials were
excellent, not only that he brought with him many good players from
that club, this time they would stay for the season. It should be mentioned
here that reserve stalwart coach Dave Reid was still looking after the
young hopefuls in the reserve side. On reflection the season did not
go to the plan that Jamie had hoped for, consistency in matches did
not occur and the team at times never lived up to itself, mixed results
went with us throughout the year, injuries robbed us of vital players
in the wrong games. Nevertheless we reached a creditable position in
the top half of the league at season’s end, our youngsters also
finished near the top. Overall we hope a season we can build on in 2013.
2013
Hurricane winds were to sweep through the club pre-season Jamie Skelly
assured of his position by the previous committee was ousted by the
new incoming committee who thought a change in direction was the way
to go.
Dave Reid was appointed coach with the view of putting out a team most
of whom had learnt their soccer coming through from the junior ranks.
Jamie’s departure also saw the exodus of most of our best players
in revolt at the decision to sack him. It was to turn out to be a long
season, our usual highly thought of soccer on the field disappeared
to alarming levels and our crowds did the same. The players on the field
did their best but at the end of the season found themselves in a playoff
with Sandringham to determine if we were to be relegated.
In a nail biting game we survived and everyone looked forward to a more
successful season in 2014
2014
Having been reappointed for 2014 Dave Reid managed to secure some new
players for the club in the opening game of the season at Seaford expectations
were high and despite a loss many thought that the club could do well.
It is amazing to say that when the last game of the season was reached
very few of the players from this first game remained. Every game proved
to be a battle with perhaps minutes to go we were in a winning positions,
only to give away a goal or goals losing us vital points. For virtually
all of the season we sat in the bottom two in the league. At the halfway
mark of the season Dave Reid tended his resignation and Billy Rae was
appointed the new coach, his approach to the players was give me ninety
minute of soccer or you can leave the club. We saw an intensity of the
player’s attitude on the park we began to pick up points. However
we had perhaps left the change in coaches too late, and at the end of
the season we found ourselves second bottom on the ladder and every
likely hood that we would be playing in State League Three in 2015.
At the conclusion of 2014 we were looking at playing in state league
three in 2015, it was with a great sigh of relief on hearing that Eastern
Lions were going to join the new Victorian soccer competition the Federation
had canvassed other clubs into joining the league that was now to enter
its second season, amazingly Nunawading who finished below ourselves
also decided to join, the Lions move meant a vacancy would occur that
we could fill and stay in the same league.
The clubs new committee also decided on appointing a new coach Craig
Lewis who gained a lot of respect as a player at Strikers some years
ago, accepted the challenge. Little did he know what would face him
at those early training sessions very few players from either the firsts
or the reserve squads from 2014 came back and in some desperation began
to seek new players from contacts that he had. Players came from many
areas and yes by the first game we had two teams. To summarise the season
Craig established some stability in the club, again it would not be
a really good season however the first eleven finished mid table which
with everything that had occurred throughout the season was an excellent
result. Sad to say our usually good reserve side struggled all season
on some occasions not even able to field a full side. Billy Buchanan
who had returned from Scotland during the year took over the coaching
role when Jimmy Stewart decided to relinquish the job, both these guys
were dedicated people but we simply did not have the players and we
were cellar dwellers all season. The seeds however have been sown for
next season and provided we can retain the majority of the players season
2016 could be a lot brighter.
The reappointment of Craig Lewis as coach, Billy Buchanan as his assistant
together with two very experienced ex-players Mark Duff and Graham Watson
looking after a very young reserve side the coaching side of the club
looked in very good hands. Added to this was that the majority of last
year’s squad were back. In the early season cup games some promising
performances were put in and when the league games came around we found
ourselves leading the league after the opening rounds something we had
not seen for many many years. Sadly, it was all about to fall apart,
games began to be lost by giving away some silly penalties and going
down perhaps by just the one goal. Slipping down the ladder we found
ourselves below half way on the table fortunately Sandringham and Noble
Park were both having dreadful seasons and in fact they were to be relegated.
We had started the preseason with over forty players however throughout
the year the club were forced to axe a number of players for their non-club
attitude these were older players but it gave the opportunity for some
of the younger players to step up. We finished the season below halfway
and on reflection perhaps our true position for the season. Off the
park president Mark or Chopper Brandon has worked hard with a very small
committee behind him to get us new floodlights, two new pitches behind
the grandstand and grants for extending the club rooms giving us extra
changing rooms and other changes which can only improve the club. We
must mention the introduction of a girls’ team in the Bayside
League and in their first season gained promotion our metro team also
had a good year and will be looking at promotion next year. Our best
called veterans team eclipsed all again and won the league and cup double,
they now have won the cup for the last four occasions and five league
wins in a row good soccer players who continue to do what they do best.
Clayton Lee once again has been the rock at the club and once more shown
himself to be a great clubman.
2017 will go down as perhaps the most disastrous season in the clubs
existence, much was made pre-season (something that will haunt us) that
the squad of players assembled would be pushing the club for promotion.
However at the end of the day we find ourselves relegated for only the
second time in the clubs history.
Where did it all go wrong initial coach Craig Lewis had thought he had
found not only the right players but a good balance in the squad, for
the first time the club signed three overseas Visa players.
Of the three Danny and Raph who took on the captains role saw out the
season with us but Leandro chose to leave us early in the season for
more money from another club.
So to the downs, players injuries, player defections, poor player form,
player discipline resulting in them missing games, even discipline off
the pitch costing the club money and finally the change in our coach.
The ups, our president Trevor together with Ryan, Bianca and the rest
of the committee did a great job off the park working tirelessly, our
facilities are to be admired and second to none.
The question now on everyone's mind is how will the club react to demotion
and life in State League 3
We will face some substandard grounds and the main problem of attracting
players who will play at this lower level.
Can we keep our small band of loyal supporters and rebound back into
the division where we belong.
All this will be answered in a crystal ball but I am not going to look.
Our club does not just revolve around our first eleven how did the rest
fair over the season.
Graham Watson took on the coaching role of our reserve team, never an
easy task as the game squad is never the same from week to week, this
year we had a mixture of experienced and younger players hoping to make
their mark at the club. Pleasing to say that several of the players
did get a chance for first team soccer and hopefully we can benefit
from this next year. Results were very mixed some poor team performances
and then games when our true form was displayed as we always say wait
till next year.
Dave McKinney is to be congratulated on all our youngsters showing in
Metro 4 Division some really good performances from the team and without
wishing to single out any one player mention must go to Josh Vega who
scored well over forty goals in his season no doubt he will give credit
to the rest of the team, a very good year overall.
Some say that mention of girls must come before boys but girls we have
not forgotten you. Marty Moore once again coached the team for another
season, lots of new faces this year many girls who were playing junior
soccer last year came into the team squad. Playing against some very
senior players we found the going difficult but never gave up even with
goals going in at the wrong end, well done coach and all you girls hope
to see you all back next year. Do we save the best till last perhaps
not this year but our Sunday Celebrities team never ever let the club
down. The Bayside team have been a benchmark for all the teams who compete
in the over 35's competition their records will never be beaten, this
year time caught up with many players retirements, injuries and suspensions
all took its toll. Never the less although we did not do the double
we certainly gave a good account of ourselves. Other clubs are now managing
to field players although over 35 are a lot younger than our stalwarts,
but boy’s thank you for flying that flag again so high for the
club.
2018 Report Just how many people visit our club website managed by Laurence
Hall one never knows however to point out the enormous amount of time
he puts in keeping a continual record of everything relating to club
personal on and off the field.
I say this because the club has used between seventy and eighty players
either in our reserve side on in our first eleven side this season,
four first team coaches only Graham (Winker) Watson remained steadfast
in coaching our reserve squad.
To begin at the beginning once again fate was kind to us our relegation
to the third division never eventuated club amalgamations clubs going
out of existence insured we would again play in the second division.
Needless to say this is not the first time that the gods have smiled
kindly on us.
Trevor Johnston once again took on the Presidents job and together with
the committee Andy O'Dell was appointed the new club coach, he had had
a great career coaching Altona City and everything in the club looked
rosy. We again gained Visa players mainly from the UK plus Andy brought
some good players with him, Danny Brooks remained from the intake of
last year’s Visa crop.
Brandon Park at home was our first fixture but due to our ground being
unplayable due to the grass dying off over the summer months and the
council having to re turf the majority of the ground we played our first
few fixtures away, but after doing all the pre-season training going
through several FFV cup rounds the new coach quit to return to his previous
club for more money, not only he went but players went with him.
This was to be the start of many comings and goings which were to dog
us for months ahead leading to the fore mentioned turnover in coaches
and players. Some players stuck by the club throughout the season despite
everything and I would personally thank Danny, Ossie Marsden, Ryan Thompson,
Nathan Smith and Tommy Hawkins, the first four all Visa players and
all must have wondered what an earth they had let themselves in for
so far away from their homeland.
Trevor was working hard to keep everything going off the pitch and must
have been wondering at times where to turn next. I will not dwell to
much on everything that the team did on the pitch only to say it is
sad to report that many old time supporters deserted the terraces not
wishing to watch what was being dished up. Salvation in the name of
Jamie Skelly sacked by Cranbourne Comets he was approached to coach
at Strikers he brought with him two assistants Ben Caffrey and Joe Donaghy
jnr, but more importantly good seasoned players. His first game in charge
saw us lose narrowly however for the rest of the season we matched any
team in the league climbing out of the relegation zone and finishing
in a very comfortable position. I wish I could report a happy ending
to the year however Jamie was approached to take on an assistant’s
role at nearby Langwarrin an offer he could not turn down that club
being a much higher league than ourselves. Our committee have already
appointed a well credentialed coach in Danny Verdun who brings with
him his assistant Neil Standish, having coached an opposition team to
us last season rumour is around that several of these players could
come with him all we have to is to hold on to the players who saw out
the season with us, that will be in the lap of the gods next year’s
club report may well hold all the answers.
This report has centred on our first team however we did have other
senior teams in action. Unfortunately a tale of woe continued in the
club our reserve side finished at the bottom of their league some positives
can be taken from this however as a number of players from our junior
section were given an opportunity to play at the higher level and we
do have some youngsters who could make the grade.
Marty Moore assisted by his manager Steve Darville faced the same situation
finishing at the bottom, some quality players from last season were
unavailable this year and it became a struggle for the other girls against
some very stiff opposition.
I leave the worst news till last our men's Metro team were withdrawn
from their competition near the end of the season causing a few arguments
however it was thought it had to be done.
For the first time that I can remember we now have no representation
in the Bayside competition our esteemed over 35s side had to withdraw
from their league due to lack of players, but what a team they had been
for the club over many many years a big thankyou to you all.
Peninsula Strikers Season 2019
This was to be our season, the appointment of the well qualified coach
Danny Verdun, the signing of a number of players from his previous club
Knox and some players of great ability from other clubs whilst we retained
many of the previous seasons best players, it all seemed good news.
Danny Verdun declared this was the strongest squad he had ever assembled
and with the backing of the hard working committee everybody could not
wait for the season to start. The early rounds of the FFV cup was the
first hurdle to overcome, we drew an away fixture and we came away defeated,
so we were to concentrate on the league fixtures. Wins, losses, draws
followed us through the season, the home game against Heatherton was
to be the highlight of the all our matches, a team we seldom had beaten
we literally played them off the pitch. Supporters going away from the
ground might well have thought this was going set us on a run which
would see us gain promotion. Results after proved that it was again
as in previous seasons to prove them wrong, games were lost which we
should have won and some very indifferent performances were put in.
On occasions with the seemingly evenness of most of the teams in the
league we found ourselves near the top and then close to the bottom.
At seasons end we retained our place in State League 2, looking back
on the season spectators would have usually gone away happy with the
brand of soccer played by the team but it was never enough. Season 2020
will soon come around and once again club supporters will be asking
those same questions who will be the clubs coach and what players will
be retained by the club.
Our young reserves squad could hold some future for the club as they
had a very successful season finishing runners up in the Reserve League.
As we know 2020 is yet to start, but what history can our squad of players
write this year if they get on the park? Only time will tell.
2020, the year that never was as far as soccer in Victoria was concerned.
Early season training went well Paul Williams promoted from his position
coaching last year’s reserve team in to the head coach of our
first eleven put together a good squad. Some players from the 2019 side
decided to further their soccer careers at other clubs, but the others
remained loyal to the club. The FFV cup got under way but that was when
this terrible virus reared its ugly head. The Victorian government brought
in restrictions and this meant the start of the league season would
be put back. An easing of the situation caused the FFV to put out dates
of a possible start to the 2020 season however despite this hope that
we would see soccer at McClelland Drive the virus decided to return
at an even worse level than before. So that was it the season was cancelled,
we can only hope that come December when training should start for the
2021 season the situation can be resolved and normal life will return.
Possibly one of the easiest yearly report that we have ever written
but one that I never would have wanted to write in these circumstances.