Bulleen Zebras
Encyclopedia
Whittlesea Zebras is an Australian association football (soccer) club based in Epping
, Melbourne
. The Zebras play in the Victorian Premier League
.
The Zebras have been represented by many Socceroos over the years, including the likes of Mark Bresciano
, Danny Tiatto
, Paul Wade
, Mike Petersen
, Mehmet Durakovic
and Fausto De Amicis
.
, Box Hill Inter
and Bulleen Lions. In 2007 the club known as the Bulleen Zebras merged with the Whittlesea Stallions FC to be known as the Whittlesea Zebras FC.
The club was formed in 1948 as 'Juventus' by Italian migrants from an amalgamation of several smaller clubs. Brunswick Juventus became the dominant side of Victorian football in the 1950s, winning six titles, including five consecutive titles from 1952–1956, and were arguably the club which ushered in the European migrant dominance of Victorian football, which remains to this day. In the 1960s while the club remained more than competitive, the rise of other migrant clubs, principally South Melbourne
, saw this dominance ended, and the club would have to wait until 1970 to add to its trophy collection.
The club largely struggled in the league during the 1970s after their 1970 championship, though there were also four Dockerty Cup
wins during this time. The club was not a foundation member of the NSL in 1977. In 1980 the club changed its name from Juventus to Brunswick United Juventus. When the NSL created the conference system in 1984, Brunswick finally joined the national league ranks, and after reaching the finals in their debut season, followed it up with their greatest achievement, the 1985 NSL title, defeating Heidelberg
, South Melbourne
and Preston in the southern conference play-offs before eventually defeating Sydney City
over two legs in the Grand Final.
1986 saw Brunswick finish first on the southern conference table, but consecutive losses to Adelaide City
and Footscray JUST
in the finals ended their season, and the last in which they were to be a force at national league level. An eighth place finish in 1987 was followed by a 13th place finish in 1988 and relegation to the state leagues where decent performances saw them win their eighth Victorian title in 1991. Rejoining the NSL for the 1993/94 season as Brunswick Pumas and later Melbourne Zebras, the club struggled for two seasons before in 1996 entering into the merger which would become the Bullen Zebras and then later would again become known as the Whittlesea Zebras.
Epping, Victoria
Epping is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 22 km north from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whittlesea...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The Zebras play in the Victorian Premier League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
.
The Zebras have been represented by many Socceroos over the years, including the likes of Mark Bresciano
Mark Bresciano
Mark "Marco" Bresciano is an Australian football player who is currently playing for UAE Pro-League side Al Nasr SC as a midfielder. He represented Australia at all youth levels, including appearances at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2000 Olympic Games...
, Danny Tiatto
Danny Tiatto
Daniele Amadeo "Danny" Tiatto is an Australian professional football player who plays for St Albans Saints in the Victorian Premier League.-Early years:...
, Paul Wade
Paul Wade
Paul Wade is a retired Australian football player, who is best known for his long-term role as captain of the Socceroos, Australia's national football team.-Club career:...
, Mike Petersen
Mike Petersen
Michael Petersen is a retired Australian soccer player. He is an inductee of the Football Federation Australia - Football Hall of Fame.-Club career:...
, Mehmet Durakovic
Mehmet Durakovic
Mehmet Duraković is a retired Australian-Albanian soccer player and currently serving football manager. As of June 2011, he is the currently serving head manager of Melbourne Victory...
and Fausto De Amicis
Fausto De Amicis
Fausto De Amicis is a former Australian soccer player. He was a member of the Australian team that scored a record 31 goals against American Samoa in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Overall, De Amicis was involved in four National Soccer League title winning sides, twice with the Melbourne Knights,...
.
Club history
Whittlesea Zebras FC was formed in 2007 after a series of mergers firstly in 1997 between several clubs based in the Italian Australian community, namely Brunswick JuventusBrunswick Juventus
Brunswick Juventus is an Australian association football club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was a participant in the National Soccer League, where they were champions in 1985, and Victorian Premier League, in which they won eight titles...
, Box Hill Inter
Box Hill Inter
Box Hill United Football Club is an Australian association football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Box Hill.- History :Box Hill entered the Victorian Division 4 in 1925. In their first season they lost one game and drew once to became champion and win promotion to division 3 for the 1926...
and Bulleen Lions. In 2007 the club known as the Bulleen Zebras merged with the Whittlesea Stallions FC to be known as the Whittlesea Zebras FC.
The club was formed in 1948 as 'Juventus' by Italian migrants from an amalgamation of several smaller clubs. Brunswick Juventus became the dominant side of Victorian football in the 1950s, winning six titles, including five consecutive titles from 1952–1956, and were arguably the club which ushered in the European migrant dominance of Victorian football, which remains to this day. In the 1960s while the club remained more than competitive, the rise of other migrant clubs, principally South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
, saw this dominance ended, and the club would have to wait until 1970 to add to its trophy collection.
The club largely struggled in the league during the 1970s after their 1970 championship, though there were also four Dockerty Cup
Dockerty Cup
The Dockerty Cup is a football competition held between clubs in Victoria, Australia. It is named after Harry Dockerty, a former president of the Victorian Soccer Federation. It has been in recess since 1996, except for the year 2004...
wins during this time. The club was not a foundation member of the NSL in 1977. In 1980 the club changed its name from Juventus to Brunswick United Juventus. When the NSL created the conference system in 1984, Brunswick finally joined the national league ranks, and after reaching the finals in their debut season, followed it up with their greatest achievement, the 1985 NSL title, defeating Heidelberg
Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
, South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
and Preston in the southern conference play-offs before eventually defeating Sydney City
Sydney City Soccer Club
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
over two legs in the Grand Final.
1986 saw Brunswick finish first on the southern conference table, but consecutive losses to Adelaide City
Adelaide City
Adelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
and Footscray JUST
Footscray JUST
Footscray JUST is a defunct association football club from Melbourne, Australia.Established in 1950 by migrants from Yugoslavia they played in the Victorian leagues with a fair amount of success, winning five Victorian State League titles, and three Dockerty Cup titles...
in the finals ended their season, and the last in which they were to be a force at national league level. An eighth place finish in 1987 was followed by a 13th place finish in 1988 and relegation to the state leagues where decent performances saw them win their eighth Victorian title in 1991. Rejoining the NSL for the 1993/94 season as Brunswick Pumas and later Melbourne Zebras, the club struggled for two seasons before in 1996 entering into the merger which would become the Bullen Zebras and then later would again become known as the Whittlesea Zebras.
Stadium
The Whittlesea Zebras home ground is at Epping Stadium, on Harvest Home Road in Epping and Thomastown East Reserve, on Leslie Street in Thomastown. They have played at Epping Stadium since 2007. It has a capacity of 10,000 and has hosted A league and some women international games.Current squad
Sports
- Head Coach: DOMENIC BARBA
- Assistant Coach: Glen Clarke
- Goalkeeper Coach: Glen Clarke