Welcome all and thankyou for attending the launch of our new stadium and the opening round of the 2017 football season! ENJOY THE DAY… GSC Stadium Launch - RUN SHEET -

Time Activity 2.45pm . GSC u7s boys and girls arrive 3.10pm . Players from GSC u7s walkout both Reserve teams 3.15pm . Kick off Reserves - GSC v PLSC 4.00pm . BISER Dancing Group performance (half time of reserves game) 4.45pm . John Eren and dignitaries arrive 5.00pm . Mick Nikolovski welcomes guests and introduces Macedonian Orthodox Priest Cedomir to bless club / stadium 5.05pm . Mick Nikolovski introduces Hon John Eren MP, speaks 5.10pm . Mick Nikolovski thanks Hon John Eren and introduces COGG Administrator, speaks 5.15pm . BISER Dancing Group performance 5.25pm . Players from GSC u7s walkout both Senior teams 5.25pm . Official Photos 5.30pm . Kick off Seniors - GSC v PLSC 7.45pm . BISER Dancing Group performance 8.15pm . PLSC guests of GSC. Meals provided for players / officials from GSC and PLSC 8.30pm . Live music – enjoy the night Message from the Club Information

On behalf of the Geelong SoccerPresident Club, I would like to welcome everyone to today’s season opening round 1 clash against Preston Lions FC as well as the launch of our new stadium Main Committee & and female dedicated change rooms facilities. I would to give a BIG thank you to BIM Address Information Constructions and Morris Finance for their direct involvement in the successful completion of this development. President Mick Nikolovski

An enormous thanks to my construction team lead by Joe Karamitic including Dayle, Vice President Steve Bogdanovski Bayley, Dylan, Vasco, Rob, Jason and Victor for managing the construction of this magnificent milestone for our club – nothing but 100% all the way! Treasurer Steve D’Andrea Special thanks to the honorary John Eren, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and local council for their continued support and partnering with the Geelong Soccer Club to bring Secretary Jim Rendevski this wonderful facility to all our members and people in the community to enjoy now and far into the future. Team Manager Zoran Ristevski

Thankyou to our major sponsors, Morris Finance and Burbank, along with all other platinum and gold sponsors for the continued support. We cannot do the things we do Junior Coordinator Rob Kukanovski / Rob Nesterovski (SSG) without you. Bar Manager George Dimovski On field it is pleasing coming off a championship winning year in 2016 but there is no time to let up - if we slow or stop, others will overtake us. It’s a special day and we will stop for a Kitchen Manager Jovan Mitanovski moment and celebrate our successes on and off the pitch but at the same time we strap in and get ready to focus our attention, go again and continue to build for the future. Committee Members Peter Stojanovski Congratulations to all coaches on their work in the pre season. I wish Fab Soncin, Kristian Branko Jankalovski Bright, Peter Stojanovski and Frank Conte all the best for round 1. Romeo Purlija Wally Stojanovski With the support of our Committee, Sponsors and Members we are proud to deliver a Rob Nesterovski professional venue at Stead Park for all our teams. I would like all our sponsors and Will Talev supporters to enjoy our facilities’, be loud and proud and support our players today. Steve Tanic

A special thank you, to all our helpers who have worked so hard in making today’s game Rob Dimovski possible, and to all our junior teams for being here to show their support. Address Geelong Soccer Club Finally, a special thanks to Preston Lions FC for helping us celebrate and making the day PO Box 98 special for all to enjoy. Enjoy the game all and lets hear our lions roar! North Geelong VIC 3215 Phone 03 5275 4096 Yours in sport, Email [email protected] Mick Nikolovski Web www.geelongsc.com Club President

2 19 Follow US on Social GSC proudly sponsored Media by

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18 3 Sponsor Profile More Look a likes…

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4 17 Look a Likes: 2016 Sponsor Profile Classics Both fancy themselves as world class coaches – need to add a bit more silverware to the cabinet. Not sure that’s going to happen at Liverpool.

The Kings of DISCO! Cannot separate these two. Could Fresh Smiles Orthodontics is about families, health, happiness, and beautiful almost be mistaken smiles. Orthodontics means “straightening teeth”. for twins!!!!! At Fresh Smiles we provide Orthodontics for everyone, from early intervention treatment in young children to braces, clear braces and Invisalign (clear aligners) for adolescence and adults… including grandparents, because we believe it is never too late to improve your quality of life. Scooby scooby doo… where is Romeo!!! Mimi Because Fresh Smiles believes in creating brighter futures, we sponsor sporting clubs like Geelong Soccer Club, who have the same philosophy. and best mate Felma on the search for the Big So where do straight teeth figure in keeping fit and healthy? Well, having straight Man who mysteriously healthy teeth and gums reduces your chance of developing diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular and various other inflammatory diseases. A beautiful smile IS hasn’t been seen home infectious, but in a good, happy way. on weeknights for the last 3 years!!! Come and join us. Consultations are complimentary. p (03) 4242 4163 http://www.freshsmiles.com.au/ f (03) 5244 4366 79 High St Belmont Vic 3216 84 Aphrasia St Newtown Vic 3220 16 5 Welcome Preston Open Womens

Special thanks to Preston Lions FootballLions Club for being part of our Clubroom launch and commencement of a new chapter in the history of Geelong Soccer Club. Lets hear With the launch of our female dedicated changes and about 70 years of proud Preston Lions history! female participation that continues to growth across all our

Preston Lions Football Club – 70 years proud age groups, now more than ever is a great time to get For over 70 years, the Preston Lions Football Club has grown to become one of the involved and come along for kick. most recognised, respected and popular sporting clubs in . Throughout this time, it has left an indelible mark on the Australian football landscape. Currently based in ’s outer-northern suburbs, the club was originally created as a focal point for the newly Contact women's co-ordinator on 0432 876 486 or immigrated Macedonian community to gather, socialise and provide the Australian- Macedonian youth with the opportunity to learn and play the ‘world game’ that was so popular [email protected] back in their homeland of Macedonia.

The Makedonia Soccer Club, as it was originally known, became a registered member of the Victorian Soccer Federation in 1959 and began playing in sanctioned competition. However, the club was established as far back as 1947 when members from the local Macedonian community began kicking a soccer ball around near the site of the current day Melbourne Zoo, at Royal Park in Parkville. Who would have thought back then that those tentative steps would lead to the development of a sporting icon in the Australian-Macedonian community that would go on to achieve such success at the highest level of football competition in this country, some 30-40 years later. The club was given an opportunity to submit an application to enter the flourishing competition and after satisfying a number of stringent criteria, were promoted to that league in 1981, finally recognising a dream for so many of the club’s hard working members, volunteers, players and supporters.

Preston continued to compete successfully in the NSL for the next 13 seasons, finishing in the top five on five separate occasions and runner-up twice. Some of the other major achievements during that time included reaching the final of all three major competitions in 1985 – the NSL Cup Final, Final and the Southern Division Grand Final; taking out the 1991 Gold Cup Night Series; and then finally bringing home the prestigious Dockerty Cup trophy in 1992 in a thrilling penalty shootout against arch rivals South Melbourne, a memory the Preston faithful hold very close to their hearts. However financial constraints and off-field difficulties led to poor performances and in 1993 Preston played their last match in the NSL.

Relegated back to the Victorian Premier League, Preston were again crowned champions of in 1994, and it was at around this time that the club adopted the moniker “Preston Lions”. Preston would once again become Victorian Premier League champions in 2002 with a memorable Golden Goal extra-time winner against Fawkner in front of a record Grand Final crowd, and then again in 2007 with a 3-1 victory over the Whittlesea Zebras, to add to the club’s impressive trophy collection.

6 15 Little lions ROAR!!! 70 years proud!

Over the journey the club can be incredibly proud of is the number of talented players it has produced over the years who have gone on to represent Australia internationally at both senior and youth level including the likes of Peter Ollerton, Gary Cole, Warren Spink, , Phil Traianedes, Zarko Odzakov, George Jolevski, Andrew Zinni, Oscar Crino, John Markovski, Kris Trajanovski, Goran Lozanovski, Robert Spasevski, Robert Stojcevski and Vasko Trpcevski. More recently, long-time Preston player Sasa Ognenovski who graduated through the club’s junior ranks, captained his Korean club side to victory in the 2010 Asian Champions League Final and in the process took out the prestigious Asian Football Confederation Player of the Year award. He was also rewarded with a Socceroos call-up where he starred during Australia’s 2011 Asian Cup campaign.

It is also appropriate to recognise the significant female contribution at the club, from the wives of committee members who worked tirelessly in the canteens on the weekend and helped organise fund raising events, to today’s on-field exploits of the Preston Women’s team, affectionately nicknamed the “Lionesses” who have been competing for the best part of two decades. Despite some difficult times in recent years, today the club consists of approximately 400 players at senior men’s, women’s and junior level. These. teams are supported by a small but dedicated group of young and vibrant people involved in club administration, coaching and volunteering who are keen on learning from the past and build for the future. Preston Lions Football Club respects the strong Macedonian cultural influence that has ensured the success of this great club to date, however we also recognise that the club now has a larger role to play in the wider community. The club actively promotes a warm and positive environment for families, corporate partners, sponsors, members and supporters to attend our games and enjoy the atmosphere at the club.

In 2017, the club proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary and is planning a number of initiatives to recognise the achievements and dedication shown by many over seven decades

14 7 2017 State 1 R1 Fixture Flashback

For Geelong to be Champions nothing but a win would suffice. Anything else and we would miss out on promotion altogether (North Coburg has 2nd position booked regardless of our result). Now, there’s only 90 minutes, there’s us, there’s Yarraville and there is a Championship! Stojc didn’t need to say anything at all but he kept the message short and sharp. The tension before the game was totally intense and every player was totally focused for this game.

The game commenced at a frantic pace. It was a tight game that was probably swinging in Yarraville’s way but our discipline and shape kept us in it. Nil-nil at half time. The second half was just as intense. But then, enter Wally Stojanovski. With one strike of the ball he had pierced the hearts of the Yarraville faithful and silenced their chants simultaneously triggering an eruption of joyful emotion from the Geelong supporters and spurred a chant of “Makedonia, Makedonia...!” The final whistle came…finally! We were totally spent, but…we were Champions! The crowd streamed onto the ground and surrounded the players. Joy, fulfilment and total satisfaction filled the air surrounding the players. Not bad for a side that was almost looking at relegation after round 4 and trailing the leaders by 7 points.

Player for player we were not the best in the league but overall, every single player that participated in the seniors at one point or another is responsible for the championship. The TEAM is responsible for the championship! In the final words of Stojc in the change rooms, WE ARE CHAMPIONS AND NO-ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY.

8 13 On this day... The Season Ahead

On this day 20 years ago, almost to the day, the pretty boys of yester-year walked out on ZAGAME'S MEN'S STATE LEAGUE 1 NORTH-WEST the pitch as 1996 Division 4 champions to take on the new challenge ahead of them in Division 3 - 1997. Fast track to the hear and now from our trip down memory lane and the same situation today, as our boys walk onto the pitch as Division 2 Champions taking on the challenges ahead in Division 1. We look back on the 1996 season and reflect on the accomplishments of that year not to mention a photo of some embarrassing hair do’s.

The squad were initially a bunch of strugglers, looking for comradery. Mates wanting to have a kick about with no highly paid players or any superstars in the team. The season did not start off well at all. The team had one coach for pre-season, a second coach for the start of the season (Dave Huddart left after Round 4), coach-less for Rounds 5 and 6, and enter a player-coach, Slobode Stojcevski for the remainder of the season. When a club goes through this sort of cycle it is usually a recipe for relegation.

It wasn’t until round 10 against Williamstown that players actually realised what it required to compete. They suffered a 3-2 loss to Williamstown that week and post mortem illustrated the TOTAL COMMITMENT to “THE TEAM” both at TRAINING and GAMES! Round 13, the team was ready to take on anyone and poor old Yarraville (top spot after round 12) was the first to feel the impact. A 5:0 thrashing that put us top of the table at the half way mark of the season. At this point and for the first time this year we believed that we could win promotion to Division 3. A fighting win from 2:0 down to 4:2 up with 10 players against Lalor washed away any doubts some players may have had. Round 15 against Corio coach Slobode Stojcevski introduced a 12 game finals countdown to the Championship.

During midseason, the team won 5 consecutive matches but also endured some injuries in the process. That resulted in 4 draws and 1 loss in the next 5 games. By this time, the youngsters were given an opportunity and did not let the stalwarts down. Five rounds to go and the sprint to the finish line was on. Yarraville, North Coburg, Sunshine Heights, Stonnington and Geelong - it was a five horse race. Surely any of the teams above winning the last five matches would have to be champions!

First up, Sunshine Heights. A Cedo Rakic goal put them out of contention. 1-0, game over. Next was 3 wins in row, none more important than the last minute winner by Lou Stefanovski at Sunbury, points dropped by Stonnington and Sunshine Heights sees these two teams drop out of the race and leaves a 3 team lunge past the post in the final round. Yarraville, Geelong and North Coburg. What a scenario!

Final round of the season saw Yarraville in 1st position vs. Geelong in 2nd position with North Coburg virtually guaranteed a win against a decimated Lalor. A win or draw for Yarraville would see them crowned as Champions of Division 4.

12 9 WelcomeOur New Home to the new home of GSC

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