Sydney Prague
Encyclopedia
Sydney Prague, commonly known as Prague was a former association football club formed in 1957 by predominantly Czech Australians, which participated in the NSW State League from its foundation in 1957 until its amalgamation with Yugal
at the beginning of the 1973 season.
Sydney Prague were one of the most successful sides of the late 50s and early 60s, consistently finishing high in leagues and cups. Prague were one of the first club sides to bring fast, attacking European style play to Australia, due to the influx of European ex-international players to the club in the late 1950s.
.
a sum of £1785 in an attempt to persuade Basel's then Czech coach, Georges Sobotka to accept a position at Prague. Although Sobotka went on to coach the Switzerland
national football side, the tour was a success, turning over more than £5000 and paving the way for future overseas tours of Australia. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
In 1965, Chelsea F.C.
manager and former Scotland
international, Tommy Docherty
was offered a guest stint with Prague in a friendly against VFB Stuttgart
after taking the '64-'65 League cup
with Chelsea. Docherty, still a registered player at the time, accepted and was granted permission by Chelsea. Docherty was to return back to Sydney in the early 80's, as coach of Sydney Olympic and South Melbourne
.
The fixture was deemed a great success, with over 6000 people cramming E.S Marks field for a high quality encounter, Stuttgart taking the tie 3-1. In an interesting turn of events, Stuttgart's coach at the time, Rudi Gutendorf
returned to Australia four years later and took up a position coaching the national side during Australia's qualification bid for the 1978 World Cup.
, Australian goalkeeper (1951-1964). Geoff Sleight
, Australian forward (1965) who played in Australia's first World Cup team. Roy Blitz
, Australian forward (1965-1968). Gary Manuel
, Australian striker who went on to play for Australia in the 1974 World Cup (1969-1975). Ray Rootsey, Australian Sweeper (1970-1974). Brian Green
, Coach of the Australian national football team (1975-1976)./
Leo Baumgartner, Former Austrian international (1955-1957) who played for Australian in a friendly visit by Everton in 1964. Went on to coach Prague (1972-1973)./ David Zeman
, Australian defender involved in Australia's 1970 World Cup campaign (1969)./ Jimmy Rooney
, Australian midfielder (1971-1980) involved in the 1974 World Cup./ Herbert Ninaus
, Austrian (1958 World Cup
) and later, Australian international winger./ Les Scheinflug
, Australian midfielder (1959-1968) and coach of the Australian national team (1981-1983 and 1990-1994)./ Raul Blanco
, Coach of the Australian national football team (1996-1997).
, Held various high profile coaching roles including Australia, Czechoslovakia
, Aston Villa and Celtic
. Harry Brophy
, Arsenal (1936-1938) defender and coach of Australia (1954-1955). Štefan Čambal
, Manager and player for Czechoslovakia, who played in the 1934 FIFA World Cup
final against Italy.
Yugal
S.S.C. Yugal is a defunct association football club from Sydney, Australia. The club, formed by Yugoslav migrants in the mid 1950s was originally known as Dalmatinac and competed initially in the Granville District competition before joining the New South Wales Federation of Soccer Clubs Second...
at the beginning of the 1973 season.
Sydney Prague were one of the most successful sides of the late 50s and early 60s, consistently finishing high in leagues and cups. Prague were one of the first club sides to bring fast, attacking European style play to Australia, due to the influx of European ex-international players to the club in the late 1950s.
History
Prague was the home of many Australian and ex-European representative footballers throughout the 60s and early 70s. Prague was instrumental in the strengthening of Australian football throughout its time, and had strong player and coaching links with the Australia national football (soccer) teamAustralia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
.
Legacy
Prague were the first Australian side to fully sponsor a tour by an overseas club., in 1964 guaranteeing Swiss champions FC BaselFC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
a sum of £1785 in an attempt to persuade Basel's then Czech coach, Georges Sobotka to accept a position at Prague. Although Sobotka went on to coach the Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
national football side, the tour was a success, turning over more than £5000 and paving the way for future overseas tours of Australia. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
In 1965, Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
manager and former Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
international, Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
was offered a guest stint with Prague in a friendly against VFB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
after taking the '64-'65 League cup
1965 Football League Cup Final
The 1965 Football League Cup Final, the fifth to be staged since the competition's inception, was contested between Leicester City and Chelsea over two legs. Leicester, the holders, were aiming to become the first side to retain the trophy while Chelsea were seeking to become the first London side...
with Chelsea. Docherty, still a registered player at the time, accepted and was granted permission by Chelsea. Docherty was to return back to Sydney in the early 80's, as coach of Sydney Olympic and 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...
.
The fixture was deemed a great success, with over 6000 people cramming E.S Marks field for a high quality encounter, Stuttgart taking the tie 3-1. In an interesting turn of events, Stuttgart's coach at the time, Rudi Gutendorf
Rudi Gutendorf
Rudolf "Rudi" Gutendorf is a German football manager, renowned for managing the highest number of national teams – to date a total of 18 teams.- Career :...
returned to Australia four years later and took up a position coaching the national side during Australia's qualification bid for the 1978 World Cup.
Achievements
- NSW State League
- Champions (1): (1959)
- Runners up (1): (1960)
- Regular Season Premiers (4): (1959, 1960, 1961, 1963)
- AMPOL Cup
- Winners (6): (1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1969)
- Federation Cup
- Runners up (1): (1958)
Former players
Ron LordRon Lord
Ron Lord was an Australian international football goalkeeper during the 1950s, appearing for the host nation in the 1956 Olympic Games staged in Melbourne....
, Australian goalkeeper (1951-1964). Geoff Sleight
Geoff Sleight
Geoffrey "Geoff" Sleight is a former Australian footballer who played as a winger.He joined Bolton Wanderers after leaving school, and made his debut against Manchester City in September 1961. Sleight made just two appearances for the first-team before being released. He went on to play for Wigan...
, Australian forward (1965) who played in Australia's first World Cup team. Roy Blitz
Roy Blitz
Roy Blitz is an Australian former football player.-Club career:Blitz played in the NSW State League for Prague, Pan Hellenic and Canterbury-Marrickville. His £2,300 transfer in 1965 from Prague to Pan Hellenic was a league record.-International career:Blitz played six matches for Australia...
, Australian forward (1965-1968). Gary Manuel
Gary Manuel
Gary Manuel is a former football forward. He was a member of the 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany and represented Australia six times in total for one goal between 1969 and 1975. Manuel played for Prague and Pan Hellenic in NSW and represented the state on several occasions.-See also:...
, Australian striker who went on to play for Australia in the 1974 World Cup (1969-1975). Ray Rootsey, Australian Sweeper (1970-1974). Brian Green
Brian Green (footballer)
Brian Geoffrey Green is a former football coach and player. As a player he competed in the Football League as a forward in the 1950s and 1960s for Rochdale, Southport, Barrow, Exeter City and Chesterfield....
, Coach of the Australian national football team (1975-1976)./
Leo Baumgartner, Former Austrian international (1955-1957) who played for Australian in a friendly visit by Everton in 1964. Went on to coach Prague (1972-1973)./ David ZemanDavid Zeman
David Zeman is a former Association football defender.-International career:David was involved in Australia's second attempt for World Cup qualification, in 1969 when they narrowly missed out after a 1-1 draw with Israel in the final playoff.-Post-football career:Zeman lives nears Coffs Harbour...
, Australian defender involved in Australia's 1970 World Cup campaign (1969)./
Jimmy RooneyJimmy Rooney
James "Jimmy" Rooney is a former football player. He was a member of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany....
, Australian midfielder (1971-1980) involved in the 1974 World Cup./
Herbert NinausHerbert Ninaus
Herbert Ninaus is a former Austrian and later Australian National Football player and manager.- Career :Herbert Ninaus began his career with his brother Erwin Ninaus at FC St. Veit, after which he, and later his brother, moved to first division side GAK.The winger soon debuted in the Austrian...
, Austrian (1958 World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
) and later, Australian international winger./
Les ScheinflugLes Scheinflug
Ladislav 'Les' Scheinflug is a former football player and coach.Arriving in Australia in the early 1950s he lived as a youth at Villawood Migrant Hostel and played for the hostel soccer team He was picked to play in the Southern Districts representative soccer team during these yearsScheinflug...
, Australian midfielder (1959-1968) and coach of the Australian national team (1981-1983 and 1990-1994)./
Raul BlancoRaul Blanco
Raul Blanco is an Argentine-born Australia Association football coach. He is well known for coaching the Socceroos from March 1998 to June 1999. He was also coaching the Olyroos at the same time, and coached them during the 2000 Summer Olympics...
, Coach of the Australian national football team (1996-1997).
Former managers
Jozef VenglosJozef Vengloš
Dr. Jozef Vengloš is a former Czechoslovak football player and coach. He has a Doctorate in Physical Education, as well as specialising in Psychology...
, Held various high profile coaching roles including Australia, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
, Aston Villa and Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Harry Brophy
Harry Brophy
Harry Frank Brophy was an English professional footballer who played for Southampton in the years immediately before World War II...
, Arsenal (1936-1938) defender and coach of Australia (1954-1955). Štefan Čambal
Štefan Cambal
Štefan Čambal was a Slovak football player and later a football manager. He played for Czechoslovakia, for which he played 22 matches. He was born in Pozsony and died in Prague....
, Manager and player for Czechoslovakia, who played in the 1934 FIFA World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
final against Italy.