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Will foreign stars revive Australia's traditional football clubs? Will foreign stars revive Australia's traditional football clubs?
(6 months later)
The Hellenic Club in Sydney has long been a meeting point for Australians of Greek heritage. In front of a small crowd of media and some very excited fans and club administrators, on Monday Sydney Olympic welcomed their newest player Sotiris Kyrgiakos at the Alpha Restaurant, just over the road from the Hellenic Club.The Hellenic Club in Sydney has long been a meeting point for Australians of Greek heritage. In front of a small crowd of media and some very excited fans and club administrators, on Monday Sydney Olympic welcomed their newest player Sotiris Kyrgiakos at the Alpha Restaurant, just over the road from the Hellenic Club.
Almost a century has passed since the Hellenic Club was first established, and more than 50 years since Sydney Olympic were founded as Pan-Hellenic by Greek immigrants. “This network was crucial for [Olympic’s] financial lifeline” wrote club historian Vasilios Vasilas of the old Greek quarter in Sydney’s CBD. As times change, so have both clubs. The swanky new Alpha Restaurant “represents a new vision for the Hellenic Club in Sydney”, serving “the warmth and generosity of traditional and modern Greek cooking.” The signing of Greece international Kyrgiakos is being heralded by Sydney Olympic as an indication of its progressive vision for the future, but it is equally a nod to the club’s roots. “We have a very unique opportunity to create a moment in history,” said the Olympic president Chris Tsioulos. Almost a century has passed since the Hellenic Club was first established, and more than 50 years since Sydney Olympic were founded as Pan-Hellenic by Greek immigrants. “This network was crucial for [Olympic’s] financial lifeline” wrote club historian Vasilios Vasilas of the old Greek quarter in Sydney’s CBD. As times change, so have both clubs. The swanky new Alpha Restaurant “represents a new vision for the Hellenic Club in Sydney”, serving “the warmth and generosity of traditional and modern Greek cooking.” The signing of Greece international Kyrgiakos is being heralded by Sydney Olympic as an indication of its progressive vision for the future, but it is equally a nod to the club’s roots. “We have a very unique opportunity to create a moment in history,” said the Olympic president Chris Tsioulos.
Having floated some big names in the off-season – including Greek stars Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winner in the Euro 2004 final, and Pantelis Kafes – Kyrgiakos will play two games, starting this weekend against Blacktown Spartans in the New South Wales National Premier Leagues. “When you see marquee players that come to Australia, it raises the profile and the awareness in Europe,” said Kyrgiakos through the club technical director and translator, Arthur Diles. “It raises the respect of the league.” Having floated some big names in the off-season – including Greek stars Angelos Charisteas, who scored the winner in the Euro 2004 final, and Pantelis Kafes – Kyrgiakos will play two games, starting this weekend against Blacktown Spartans in the New South Wales National Premier Leagues. “When you see marquee players that come to Australia, it raises the profile and the awareness in Europe,” said Kyrgiakos through the club technical director and translator, Arthur Diles. “It raises the respect of the league.”
While A-League clubs have attracted some significant marquee and guest players – from Alessandro Del Piero to Romario to Robbie Fowler and Shinji Ono – it has been some time since big names played in the state leagues. State league sides used to pick up big foreign players in the post-war period, as Australia offered a good life. Interestingly, Tsioulos commented that the financial situation in Greece encouraged Sydney Olympic to table Kyrgiakos an offer. “If it is a success it gives us encouragement to be more active in seeking more [guest players],” said Tsioulos.While A-League clubs have attracted some significant marquee and guest players – from Alessandro Del Piero to Romario to Robbie Fowler and Shinji Ono – it has been some time since big names played in the state leagues. State league sides used to pick up big foreign players in the post-war period, as Australia offered a good life. Interestingly, Tsioulos commented that the financial situation in Greece encouraged Sydney Olympic to table Kyrgiakos an offer. “If it is a success it gives us encouragement to be more active in seeking more [guest players],” said Tsioulos.
There is about as much cash in the lower leagues as there is prestige: not a lot. But with the National Premier Leagues now up and running in a meaningful fashion across the country, there is more attention than ever on what FFA chief executive David Gallop likes to call “the engine room of Australian football”.There is about as much cash in the lower leagues as there is prestige: not a lot. But with the National Premier Leagues now up and running in a meaningful fashion across the country, there is more attention than ever on what FFA chief executive David Gallop likes to call “the engine room of Australian football”.
Make no mistake, all eyes are still firmly set on the A-League. For Kyrgiakos, who has played top level football in Germany, Scotland, England and his native Greece, as well as playing at international level, the two game guest stint represents an opportunity to put himself in the shop window for an A-League club. At the launch, he commented that he did not want to try and predict the future, but he has said previously that “I want to play for another couple of years and the A-League appeals to me.”Make no mistake, all eyes are still firmly set on the A-League. For Kyrgiakos, who has played top level football in Germany, Scotland, England and his native Greece, as well as playing at international level, the two game guest stint represents an opportunity to put himself in the shop window for an A-League club. At the launch, he commented that he did not want to try and predict the future, but he has said previously that “I want to play for another couple of years and the A-League appeals to me.”
For Sydney Olympic, this is a publicity stunt wrapped in Hellenism. “We can never forget the roots of the game, and we thought it would be an opportunity to excite people of Greek heritage”, said Tsioulos. “They’re yearning for an opportunity to express themselves.” This is their equivalent of Sydney FC’s signing of Alessandro Del Piero or the Western Sydney Wanderers signing of Shinji Ono, complete with the airport welcome. Two games may not have a significant effect on their title hopes, but it will gain them the kind of attention of which their rivals could only dream. They’ve talked a good game for several months, even suggesting recently that Lucas Neill might sign for them. Financially, this venture is unlikely to bring in big dollars for the club. Consider it an investment from a board that privately covets an A-League licence.For Sydney Olympic, this is a publicity stunt wrapped in Hellenism. “We can never forget the roots of the game, and we thought it would be an opportunity to excite people of Greek heritage”, said Tsioulos. “They’re yearning for an opportunity to express themselves.” This is their equivalent of Sydney FC’s signing of Alessandro Del Piero or the Western Sydney Wanderers signing of Shinji Ono, complete with the airport welcome. Two games may not have a significant effect on their title hopes, but it will gain them the kind of attention of which their rivals could only dream. They’ve talked a good game for several months, even suggesting recently that Lucas Neill might sign for them. Financially, this venture is unlikely to bring in big dollars for the club. Consider it an investment from a board that privately covets an A-League licence.
The reality is, Sydney Olympic and clubs like it have been dealt a significant blow since the end of the National Soccer League, and are searching for a way to remain relevant. Locked out of the A-League cartel, Tsioulos says that many NSL clubs “have been stumbling in the dark.” With ties to local ethnic communities, these historic clubs have been pretty well dormant for almost a decade. Many of their fans now support an A-League side. The legendary Andrea, who still yells “O-LYM-PIC” from the stands during the winter, now wears a Western Sydney Wanderers shirt to Parramatta Stadium in the summer. Club officials complain that their exclusion from the top level has left many more fans disillusioned with the game. From Marconi to West Adelaide to Heidelberg United, ghosts of a time gone by often outnumber supporters in the stands.The reality is, Sydney Olympic and clubs like it have been dealt a significant blow since the end of the National Soccer League, and are searching for a way to remain relevant. Locked out of the A-League cartel, Tsioulos says that many NSL clubs “have been stumbling in the dark.” With ties to local ethnic communities, these historic clubs have been pretty well dormant for almost a decade. Many of their fans now support an A-League side. The legendary Andrea, who still yells “O-LYM-PIC” from the stands during the winter, now wears a Western Sydney Wanderers shirt to Parramatta Stadium in the summer. Club officials complain that their exclusion from the top level has left many more fans disillusioned with the game. From Marconi to West Adelaide to Heidelberg United, ghosts of a time gone by often outnumber supporters in the stands.
Phantom-limb syndrome haunts these ex-NSL sides. They still feel like big clubs, and want to be treated as such, but most struggle to attract more than 1,000 people through the gates. Many of these are elderly men who have been coming to games for decades. Formed by migrant diasporas from southern Europe in the post-war period, these clubs flourished as halfway houses for new arrivals finding their feet in a foreign land. Broadening their base, however, remains an elusive goal. Greek or Macedonian, Croatian or Serbian, Italian or Maltese, most are stuck between the social element of a community club and the economic realities needed to raise sufficient capital to compete at the highest level.Phantom-limb syndrome haunts these ex-NSL sides. They still feel like big clubs, and want to be treated as such, but most struggle to attract more than 1,000 people through the gates. Many of these are elderly men who have been coming to games for decades. Formed by migrant diasporas from southern Europe in the post-war period, these clubs flourished as halfway houses for new arrivals finding their feet in a foreign land. Broadening their base, however, remains an elusive goal. Greek or Macedonian, Croatian or Serbian, Italian or Maltese, most are stuck between the social element of a community club and the economic realities needed to raise sufficient capital to compete at the highest level.
Last weekend in western Sydney, one of Olympic’s main rivals, Sydney United, hosted Melbourne Knights in a pre-season Croatian ‘Friendship Cup’. Before the match, a minute’s silence was organised for the recent passing of a the wife of a former Knights president. Their son, now approaching 50, came up from Melbourne for the occasion. Before the match, he told me that despite growing up with the Knights, he doesn’t go along to games much any more. A few tears were shed during the tribute.Last weekend in western Sydney, one of Olympic’s main rivals, Sydney United, hosted Melbourne Knights in a pre-season Croatian ‘Friendship Cup’. Before the match, a minute’s silence was organised for the recent passing of a the wife of a former Knights president. Their son, now approaching 50, came up from Melbourne for the occasion. Before the match, he told me that despite growing up with the Knights, he doesn’t go along to games much any more. A few tears were shed during the tribute.
Sydney Olympic know they too have a latent football-loving community out there who0 no longer attend regular games, but still bleed blue and white. Walk over the road from the Hellenic Club to Diethnes Restaurant on Pitt Street, and you’ll find a framed Sydney Olympic jersey on the wall. Perhaps the presence of a legend like Kyrgiakos will entice some of those forgotten fans back for a few games, as well as some new faces.Sydney Olympic know they too have a latent football-loving community out there who0 no longer attend regular games, but still bleed blue and white. Walk over the road from the Hellenic Club to Diethnes Restaurant on Pitt Street, and you’ll find a framed Sydney Olympic jersey on the wall. Perhaps the presence of a legend like Kyrgiakos will entice some of those forgotten fans back for a few games, as well as some new faces.
The club has big plans for the future, and Kyrgiakos is their headline-grabber. Tsioulos promises they are looking for premises for a new social club to raise revenue in the long-term, and unlike previous years, Olympic now have a much better relationship with the Canterbury Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground. The fields beside Belmore where the women and junior sides play will be upgraded, while the stadium is to be transformed into a “multicultural arts and sports precinct”. Of course Sydney Olympic, or Pan-Hellenic as they were known in those days, are proud that they were once home to Charlie Perkins while he was studying at Sydney University.The club has big plans for the future, and Kyrgiakos is their headline-grabber. Tsioulos promises they are looking for premises for a new social club to raise revenue in the long-term, and unlike previous years, Olympic now have a much better relationship with the Canterbury Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground. The fields beside Belmore where the women and junior sides play will be upgraded, while the stadium is to be transformed into a “multicultural arts and sports precinct”. Of course Sydney Olympic, or Pan-Hellenic as they were known in those days, are proud that they were once home to Charlie Perkins while he was studying at Sydney University.
“It [football] brought me into the migrant community where I found great satisfaction, no prejudice … or derogatory remarks,” said Perkins, who became the first Indigenous male university graduate. “They welcomed me into the fold.” Indeed, a great many names have worn the blue and white of Sydney Olympic including Davie Provan, Brett Emerton, Marshall Soper, Chris Kalantzis and Peter Katholos. Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush had a two-game guest stint not dissimilar to Kyrgiakos in 1999.“It [football] brought me into the migrant community where I found great satisfaction, no prejudice … or derogatory remarks,” said Perkins, who became the first Indigenous male university graduate. “They welcomed me into the fold.” Indeed, a great many names have worn the blue and white of Sydney Olympic including Davie Provan, Brett Emerton, Marshall Soper, Chris Kalantzis and Peter Katholos. Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush had a two-game guest stint not dissimilar to Kyrgiakos in 1999.
Kyrgiakos will only play home games for Olympic, in order for the club to squeeze as much publicity from his short stay as possible. They began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over defending NPL Premiers Sydney United on the weekend, and Kyrgiakos will line-up in defence against Blacktown Spartans next Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground, before facing old rivals St George in early April. Before the game against Blacktown, a cultural festival will be held at Belmore to mark Greek Independence Day. Kyrgiakos says he knows many Olympic players transferred to Blacktown in the off-season. The Greek warrior, as they call him, sounds like part of the family already.Kyrgiakos will only play home games for Olympic, in order for the club to squeeze as much publicity from his short stay as possible. They began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over defending NPL Premiers Sydney United on the weekend, and Kyrgiakos will line-up in defence against Blacktown Spartans next Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground, before facing old rivals St George in early April. Before the game against Blacktown, a cultural festival will be held at Belmore to mark Greek Independence Day. Kyrgiakos says he knows many Olympic players transferred to Blacktown in the off-season. The Greek warrior, as they call him, sounds like part of the family already.