Sydney City Soccer Club
Encyclopedia
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football (soccer)
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 (1977–1979) and Sydney City (1979–1987). One of the most successful sides in New South Wales and interstate competitions in the 1960s and early 1970s coached by the now retired Bob Szatmari, Sydney City were also one of the main instigators for the establishment of a national league.
A foundation member of the NSL, Sydney City were also its most dominant side in the competition's first decade, winning four titles, including three in a row from 1980–1982, and finishing below third only once. However despite this level of success, crowds were perennially low, and even though they were one of the sides retained for 1987, after the NSL scrapped the split conference system at the end of 1986, Sydney City withdrew from the NSL one round into the 1987 season.
Admitted to the newly-created first division of the New South Wales Soccer Federation following the breakaway ny a number of clubs from the FIFA
associated Soccer Association
in 1956/57. Made the first appointment in Australia of a full-time coah and secretary/manager, the former England international Jack Gibbons
who was previously coach of Israel's international soccer team.
In 1977 Hakoah underwent a name changed to Eastern Suburbs Hakoah. Winner of first National League known as the National Soccer League
and made the major addition to playing staff in former Aberdeen star Eddie Thomson
later to become the Club's coach and coach of Australia's national team.
Name changed to Sydney City in 1978 and the home ground moved from Wentworth Park
to ES Marks Field in a successful year for the club. Eddie Thomson
became coach in 1979 and together with manager Andrew Lederer led the Club through its final years as Australia's most successful and best club.
The team included future International Jim Patikas
, striker Ken Boden
and Australia's most successful goal scorer John Kosmina
for the 1980 season and went on to win the 1981, 1982 and 1983 NSL seasons with Australian International striker David Mitchell joining the star-studded club. In 1987 Sydney City withdrew mid-season as the most successful club in League history.
football ranks and have been promoted rapidly. They are currently in NSW State League Division Two
.
Murray Barnes
Kenny Boden Ernie Campbell
Jim Patikas
Todd Clarke
Trevor Edwards
Gerry Gomez
Bill Hume
Doug Holden
John Kosmina
Jimmy Mackay
Kevin Mullen Eddie Thomson
Johnny Watkiss
Joe Watson
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
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
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
as Eastern Suburbs (1977–1979) and Sydney City (1979–1987). One of the most successful sides in New South Wales and interstate competitions in the 1960s and early 1970s coached by the now retired Bob Szatmari, Sydney City were also one of the main instigators for the establishment of a national league.
A foundation member of the NSL, Sydney City were also its most dominant side in the competition's first decade, winning four titles, including three in a row from 1980–1982, and finishing below third only once. However despite this level of success, crowds were perennially low, and even though they were one of the sides retained for 1987, after the NSL scrapped the split conference system at the end of 1986, Sydney City withdrew from the NSL one round into the 1987 season.
History
In January 1939 a small group of Jewish emigres, who had been kicking a ball at Rushcutters Bay each Sunday, met to discuss the formation of a soccer team. That meeting resulted in the birth of Sydney Hakoah Football Club. It was not until 1954 that Hakoah started to make its presence felt and was admitted to the Southern League, the State's division, together with Sydney Austral of Dutch origin and Prague which comprised mainly Czech migrants. The team played in distinctive blue and white striped shirts with Magen David badge which was to become famous as the colours and emblem of Australia's greatest club.Admitted to the newly-created first division of the New South Wales Soccer Federation following the breakaway ny a number of clubs from the FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
associated Soccer Association
Football Federation Australia
Football Federation Australia is the governing body for the sport of football in Australia. Before 1 January 2005, it was known as the Australian Soccer Association , which succeeded Soccer Australia in this role in 2003...
in 1956/57. Made the first appointment in Australia of a full-time coah and secretary/manager, the former England international Jack Gibbons
Jack Gibbons
Jack Gibbons is an English classical pianist and composer.-Biography:Gibbons was born in England. His father is a scientist and his mother a visual artist. He began his piano studies in Stockton-on-Tees, later continuing in Oxford. He began performing in public at the age of 10...
who was previously coach of Israel's international soccer team.
In 1977 Hakoah underwent a name changed to Eastern Suburbs Hakoah. Winner of first National League known as the National Soccer League
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
and made the major addition to playing staff in former Aberdeen star Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson was a Scottish football player and coach.-Career:Born in Rosewell, Scotland, he played 162 games for Heart of Midlothian F.C. from 1966 to 1973, before moving to Aberdeen F.C. and playing a further 91 games with them...
later to become the Club's coach and coach of Australia's national team.
Name changed to Sydney City in 1978 and the home ground moved from Wentworth Park
Wentworth Park
Wentworth Park is a multi-purpose sporting facility in the suburb of Glebe in New South Wales, Australia.that is used for various sports including rugby union, rugby league, soccer and greyhound racing. Wentworth Park is located 2 kilometres from the Sydney central business district...
to ES Marks Field in a successful year for the club. Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson was a Scottish football player and coach.-Career:Born in Rosewell, Scotland, he played 162 games for Heart of Midlothian F.C. from 1966 to 1973, before moving to Aberdeen F.C. and playing a further 91 games with them...
became coach in 1979 and together with manager Andrew Lederer led the Club through its final years as Australia's most successful and best club.
The team included future International Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas is a former Australian football player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City, Sydney Olympic, Sydney Croatia, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria....
, striker Ken Boden
Ken Boden
Ken Boden is an Australian former footballer, who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder.-Club career:...
and Australia's most successful goal scorer John Kosmina
John Kosmina
Alexander John Kosmina , known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian football player and manager of Polish Australian ethnicity. He was most recently the manager of Sydney FC...
for the 1980 season and went on to win the 1981, 1982 and 1983 NSL seasons with Australian International striker David Mitchell joining the star-studded club. In 1987 Sydney City withdrew mid-season as the most successful club in League history.
NSW State League Return
Since 1988 to Today, Sydney City have competed in the NSW State League North Conference in the NSW State Leagues. Recently, they have moved up through the New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
football ranks and have been promoted rapidly. They are currently in NSW State League Division Two
NSW State League Division Two
The New South Wales State League Division Two is the fourth-highest level of men's Association football in New South Wales, Australia. The competition is conducted by Football NSW, the organising body of football in New South Wales....
.
Notable former players
Ray BaartzRay Baartz
Ray Baartz was an Australian football player. He is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.Ray was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and spent his early years playing for Adamstown. At 17 he joined Manchester United and after 6 months signed on a two year contract...
Murray Barnes
Murray Barnes
Murray Barnes is a former Australian football player. Barnes played for the Australia national association football team for six years, captaining the team nine times.- Club career :...
Kenny Boden Ernie Campbell
Ernie Campbell
William Ernest "Ernie" Campbell in Sydney Australia is a former football forward. He was a member of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany and represented Australia 24 times between 1971 to 1975 and scored 3 goals....
Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas is a former Australian football player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City, Sydney Olympic, Sydney Croatia, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria....
Todd Clarke
Todd Clarke
-Club career:Clarke played in the South Australian state league for Adelaide Beograd before moving to Sydney where he played for NSW state league team Hakoah in 1976. He continued with the club, renamed Sydney City, as they joined the then-new National Soccer League in 1977.-International...
Trevor Edwards
Trevor Edwards
Leonard Trevor Edwards was a Wales international football player. A defender, he played his club football for Charlton Athletic. He was part of the Wales squad for the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden. In the sixties he emigrated to Australia, where he played for Sydney Hakoah, Melita Eagles and...
Gerry Gomez
Gerry Gomez (footballer)
Gerry Gomez is a former Australian football player who played in Australia's National Soccer League for Sydney City, Marconi, APIA-Leichhardt and Parramatta Eagles...
Bill Hume
Bill Hume
Bill Hume was a United Kingdom born association football player who represented both New Zealand and Australia at international level....
Doug Holden
Doug Holden
Doug Holden is a former English professional footballer who played as a winger.-Football career:Holden began his professional playing career with Bolton Wanderers in 1951...
John Kosmina
John Kosmina
Alexander John Kosmina , known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian football player and manager of Polish Australian ethnicity. He was most recently the manager of Sydney FC...
Jimmy Mackay
Jimmy Mackay
James Birrell "Jimmy" Mackay is a former football player. He was a member of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany....
Kevin Mullen Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson
Eddie Thomson was a Scottish football player and coach.-Career:Born in Rosewell, Scotland, he played 162 games for Heart of Midlothian F.C. from 1966 to 1973, before moving to Aberdeen F.C. and playing a further 91 games with them...
Johnny Watkiss
Johnny Watkiss
John "Johnny" Watkiss is a former football defender. He was a member of the Australian 1974 FIFA World Cup squad in West Germany and represented Australia 31 times between 1965 to 1974 scoring 4 times....
Joe Watson
Joe Watson (footballer)
Joseph Watson was an Australian footballer who played as a winger in a 24-year career extending from 1968 to 1992.-Playing career:...
National
- NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Champions 1977, 1981, 1982, 1983 - NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Minor Premiers 1984 (Northern Division), 1985 (Northern Division) - Australian CupAustralian Cup (football)The Australian Cup is a defunct football competition organised by the Australian Soccer Federation. It was held between 1962 and 1968. It was the first nationwide club tournament held in Australia.-Champions and runners up:...
winners 1965, 1968 - NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Cup Winners 1986
State
- New South Wales Premiers 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974
- New South Wales Federation Champions 1961, 1962, 1966, 1968
- New South Wales Federation Cup Winners 1959, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1971
- AmpolAmpolAmpol, the Australian Motorists Petrol Company, was incorporated by Sir William Gaston Walkley in 1936 in New South Wales. This was in response to Australians' concerns about perceived inequitable petrol pricing, and allegations of transfer pricing by foreign oil companies to limit their tax...
Cup Winners 1957, 1968, 1973,
See also
- Melbourne HakoahMelbourne HakoahMelbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
- National Soccer LeagueNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
- History of the Jews in AustraliaHistory of the Jews in AustraliaThe history of the Jews in Australia dates back to 1788, when a number of Jews were among the convicts brought to the country aboard the First Fleet to establish the first European settlement on the continent, on the site of present-day Sydney. Today, an estimated 120,000 Jews live in Australia...
- Australian JewsAustralian JewsAustralian Jews, or Jewish Australians, are Jews who are Australian citizens or resident aliens. The Jewish community in Australia is composed predominantly of Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe, and their Australia-born descendants. There is, however, a minority from all...