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Springvale White Eagles
Springvale White Eagles emblem
Full nameSpringvale White Eagles Football Club
Nickname(s)Beli Orlovi, Eagles
Founded1975; 49 years ago (1975)
GroundSerbian Sports Centre
Capacity5000 (400 Seated)
ChairmanZivko Milovanovic
ManagerAndrew Skledar
LeagueVictorian State League 1 South–East
20242nd of 12
(Promoted) Victoria Premier League 2
Websitehttp://www.swefc.com.au

Springvale White Eagles Football Club is a semi-professional Australian soccer club based in Melbourne, Victoria currently playing in the Victorian State League 1 South–East. Founded by Serbian Australians, they play at the Serbian Sports Centre in Keysborough, Victoria.

They were founded in 1975 and were in the Victorian Premier League from 1997 to 1999, 2007 and 2011.[1]

History

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Springvale White Eagles Club was formed in 1975 as Springvale United,[2] and have been known by their current name since 1995.

In 2002 White Eagles got into the State League Cup Final, losing 4–2 to Westvale.

In June 2007, the coach Leon Gardikiotis resigned less than a month after replacing from Zoran Trajceski.[3] The club president Zoran Stojanovic also resigned. In 2008, Springvale White Eagles appointed former Frankston Pines coach Stan Webster, who experienced little success at the club.

The club was promoted to the Victorian Premier League in 2010, but suffered relegation in their first season in the top flight in the following year.[4]

In 2012 Springvale were relegated from State League 1, having finished bottom of the league with just 1 win in 22 league games. −[5] They took out the State League 2 South-East title the following season, pipping Dandenong City SC by one point.[6]

National Premier Leagues Victoria (2014–present)

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The club entered the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 division for the 2014 season, the new second tier of soccer in Victoria. The club finished the season in 12th place in the 14 team league, just avoiding the relegation playoffs.[7]

In 2015, the NPL 2 was split into an East and West division with the White Eagles competing in the East division, finishing in nineteenth place overall in the NPL1 league system.[8] Late in October 2015, head manager Zlatko Mihajlović resigned from his position.[9] Shortly after, Mihajlović was replaced by Boyan Mitkov as the new senior head coach.[10] Springvale then lost key player Šimo Jovanović to Kingston City. Jovanović had spent his entire career with the White Eagles, progressing through the youth system to eventually become the club's captain.[11] On 12 April 2016, it was announced that Mitkov and his assistant Gus Caminos (who were winless in their first seven league games in the NPL2 season) had resigned from their positions, with former White Eagles player Nik Kovacevic announced as the replacement.[12] Springvale subsequently finished the season in 6th place in the NPL2 East, its second best-ever finish in the NPL2 competition.[13] In November 2016, head coach Kovacevic departed the club to return to Pascoe Vale as a senior assistant coach.[14]

Springvale White Eagles appointed former Altona Magic coach Vlado Tortevski as their new manager for the 2017 NPL2 season.[15] Despite winning three of their opening four NPL2 league games, Tortevski's side then won just one of the following ten, leading to the departure of the head coach in May 2017.[16] The White Eagles finished the season in 7th place.[17]

For the 2018 season, Springvale reappointed former club coach Nik Kovacevic to lead the team, and had a total of 7 key signings in the off-season. This included the experienced central defensive partnership of Pavle Durkic (formerly at Whittlesea Ranges FC) and Milos Tošić (formerly at West Adelaide SC). Also adding to the squad were Andy Kecojević, Marcus Dimanche, Delarno Pharoe, Slaven Vranešević and Englishmen Luke Barrow. With the mid-season loss of Captain Dejan Erakovic the Eagles brought in other key signings to its squad, including Bonel Obradović, Nemanja Lojanica and Nenad Nikolic. The Eagles finished the 2018 campaign in fourth place in the NPL2 East, its best finish since the inception of the NPL in 2014.

In 2019 the club finished in last place, with just four wins in 28 games, and were relegated to NPL3 for the 2020 season.[18] Head coach Nebojsa Vukosavljevic resigned after the club's relegation, with Springvale appointing former Socceroo John Markovski for the 2020 NPL3 campaign.

Achievements

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League

Division Champions Runners Up
VIC State League 1st Division (x2) 1996, 2010 (x1) 2006
VIC State League 2nd Division SE (x1) 2005
VIC State League 2nd Division (x1) 1995
VIC State League 3rd Division (x1) 1992
VIC Metropolitan League Division 4 (x1) 1984
VIC Buffalo Provisional League Division 3 (x1) 1983
VIC Provisional League Division 4 (x1) 1982
VIC District League Division 3 (x1) 1981

Cup

Cup Champions Runners Up
Victorian State League Cup  – (x1) 2002
Karadjordje Cup (x8) 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2023 (x5) 2000, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2022

Victorian Premier League

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  • Highest finish: 6th in 1997
  • Season Appearances: 5 Seasons
  • Greatest home win: 8–2 against Melton Reds in 1997
  • Greatest away win: 6–0 against Westvale in 1999

Notable current and former international players

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Individual awards

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Bill Fleming Medal – Media voted VPL Player of the Year

Club Top Goal Scorers

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  • 2023 - Nashir Hussainy - 6
  • 2022 - Nashir Hussainy - 12
  • 2021 - Andy Kecojevic - 5
  • 2020 - Cancelled due to COVID-19
  • 2019 - Taban Makoii - 7
  • 2018 - Damir Stoilovic - 9
  • 2017 - Damir Stoilovic - 10
  • 2016 - Damir Stoilovic - 16
  • 2015 – Hernan de Rito – 6
  • 2014 – Vojislav Milojević – 11
  • 2013 – Stephane Leblond – 15
  • 2012 – Philip Ajao – 5
  • 2011 – Goran Zoric – 8
  • 2010 – Nenad Pavasovic – 8
  • 2009 – Zoran Vukas – 6
  • 2008 – Grujo Mrdić – 7
  • 2007 – Goran Zorić – 5
  • 2006 – Nikolaos Papadopoulos – 11
  • 2005 – Sastre Teyedor Juan – 11
  • 2004 – Zlatko Mihajlović – 9
  • 2003 – Ricky Diaco – 12
  • 2002 – Eric Styczen – 9
  • 2001 – Nebojsa Kozlica – 6
  • 2000 – Eric Styczen – 6
  • 1999 – Zlatko Mihajlović – 10
  • 1998 – Sasha Nikolić – 4
  • 1997 – Danny Gnjidić – 14
  • 1996 – Zlatko Mihajlović – 16
  • 1995 – Micheal Michalakopoulos – 14
  • 1994 – Zlatko Mihajlović – 7
  • 1993 – Zlatko Mihaljović – 11
  • 1992 – Zlatko Mihaljović – 12
  • 1991 – Ian Kerezovic – 9

Rivalries

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Dandenong Thunder

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The teams both situated 6 km apart, the rivalry between the clubs is immense.

On 11 February 2017 The White Eagles hosted The Thunder in the Second Round of the 2017 National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. In front of a healthy contingent of local fans, the White Eagles got off to a perfect start early in the second half with new signing Cody Martindale gaining the lead for the Eagles. With a fiery clash on and off the field referee Alessandro Arbizzani was not holding back on the cautions. With Springvale leading the contest 1–0 in the 60th minute, a brawl erupted in the stands which escalated, forcing the referee to halt proceedings for approximately 10 minutes. In the final stages of the game the Eagles capitalised on a counterattack with goal scorer Tapiwanashe Munyanyiwa finishing a great move by the Eagles. Late in the game there was drama, with Springvale Player Nebojsa Pejić putting one in his own net bringing back the game to 2–1. The Eagles hung on for a vital three points, winning its first two games off the 2017 season under Vlado Tortevski. They later faced Dandenong at George Andrews Reserve in Round 17 losing 4–0.

Melbourne Knights

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The teams were both in the Victorian Premier League in the 2007 and 2011 seasons.

St Albans Saints

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These 2 clubs first met in the Victorian Premier league on 22 March 1997. The game was played in the Serbian Sports Centre where White Eagles recorded a 3–1 win. In that match, St Albans took the lead in the 43 minutes with a goal by Idriz Peja. White Eagles Jim Gacovski levelled the score in the 83rd minute. Anthony Burlak scored in the 89th minute and Nick Kovacevic in the 90th minute to give White Eagles a memorable 3–1 victory.

In Round 12 on 12 May 2019 in the NPL 2 season the eagles travelled to Churchill Reserve & took all three points back to White Eagles Stadium in a thrilling 2–1 win with goals to Taban Makoii from the penalty spot (19th minute) and Gerry Kavadas (21st minute). A win for the Eagles after a long unsuccessful period at Churchill Reserve in over 7 years.

North Sunshine Eagles

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The teams were first met on 16 April 2021 in National Premier Leagues Victoria 3 competition.

Stadium

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White Eagles play at the Serbian Sports Centre (Srpski Sportski Centar).

Current squad

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Australia AUS George Tzamouranis
3 DF Australia AUS Nenad Nikolić
4 DF Australia AUS Stefan Karac
5 DF Australia AUS Nemanja Lojanica
6 DF Australia AUS Thomas Podaridis
7 MF Australia AUS Brady Quinn
8 FW Australia AUS Alexandar Vranešević
9 FW Australia AUS Miloš Lujić
10 FW Australia AUS Nashir Hussainy
11 FW Australia AUS Alex Kubenko
12 GK Australia AUS Shah Zahidi
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Australia AUS Gervais Nkondogoro
16 DF Australia AUS Ohisa Paulino
17 DF Australia AUS Slavko Grujić
19 DF Australia AUS George Latsis
20 MF Australia AUS Desire Nkondogoro
23 MF Australia AUS Andy Kecojević (Captain)
24 MF Australia AUS Godwill Benjamin
25 MF Australia AUS Joseph Manual
48 DF Australia AUS Adrian Sekulovski

Squad correct at 9 May 2022.

Competition timeline

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Season League Top scorer Dockerty Cup
Division Pld W D L GF GA +/- Pts Position Player(s) Goals
1982 Div4 26 20 1 5 75 23 52 43 2nd
1983 Div3 26 23 2 1 95 21 74 48 1st Runner up
1984 Div4 26 16 5 5 61 34 27 37 2nd
1985 Div3 26 14 5 7 54 37 17 33 5th
1986 Div3 26 10 4 12 59 51 8 24 9th
1987 Div3 24 11 4 9 40 45 −5 26 4th
1988 Div3 26 14 3 9 62 40 22 31 6th
1989 Div3 26 6 8 12 31 66 −25 20 11th
1990 Div3 26 7 4 15 28 58 −30 18 12th
1991 Div3 26 7 8 11 25 36 −11 31 11th Ian Kerezovic 9
1992 Div3 28 19 0 0 67 23 44 47 1st Zlatko Mihaljović 12
1993 Div2 26 16 5 5 47 17 30 37 3rd Zlatko Mihaljović 11
1994 Div2 26 11 7 8 41 32 9 29 5th Zlatko Mihaljović 7
1995 Div2 26 18 5 3 56 29 27 59 1st Micheal Michalakopoulos 14
1996 Div1 26 17 4 5 56 27 29 55 1st Zlatko Mihaljović 16
1997 VPL 26 11 8 7 43 37 6 41 6th Danny Gnjidić 14
1998 VPL 26 8 6 12 27 42 −15 30 11th Sasha Nikolić 4
1999 VPL 26 8 6 12 37 40 −3 30 11th Zlatko Mihaljović 10
2000 Div1 22 6 4 12 26 36 −10 22 9th Eric Styczen 6
2001 Div1 22 8 6 8 27 37 −10 30 8th Nebojsa Kozlica 6
2002 Div1 22 5 5 12 34 57 −23 20 11th Eric Styczen 9 Runner up
2003 SL2SE 22 10 4 8 34 32 2 34 5th Ricky Diaco 12
2004 SL2SE 22 4 8 10 25 45 −20 20 10th Zlatko Mihaljović 9
2005 SL2 22 14 4 4 50 25 25 46 1st Sastre Teyedor Juan 11
2006 SL1 22 11 6 5 30 22 8 39 2nd Nikolaos Papadopoulos 11
2007 VPL 26 1 2 23 17 77 −60 5 16th Goran Zorić 5 No cup
2008 SL1 22 5 6 11 25 38 −13 21 9th Grujo Mrdić 7
2009 SL1 22 4 5 13 31 41 −10 17 10th Zoran Vukas 6
2010 SL1 22 12 3 7 45 34 11 39 2nd Nenad Pavasovic 8
2011 VPL 24 3 6 15 24 62 38 15 11th Goran Zoric 8 Quarter final
2012 SL1 22 1 5 16 19 69 −49 8 12th Philip Ajao 5 Zone final
2013 SL2 22 13 5 4 33 24 9 44 1st Stephane Leblond 14 4th round
2014 NPL 2 26 7 3 16 44 63 19 24 12th Vojislav Milojević 11 6th round
2015 NPL 2 28 4 5 19 24 54 30 17 9th Hernan de Rito 6 5th round
2016 NPL 2 28 12 4 12 52 43 +9 40 6th Damir Stoilovic 16 4th round
2017 NPL 2 28 10 4 14 44 58 14 32 7th Damir Stoilovic 10 4th round
2018 NPL 2 28 11 6 11 41 47 6 39 4th Damir Stoilovic 9 4th round
2019 NPL 2 28 4 7 17 26 70 −44 19 10th Taban Makoii 7 2nd round
2020 NPL 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia
2021 NPL 3 14 2 3 9 19 37 −18 9 Cancelled Andrija Kecojevic 5 Cancelled
2022 NPL 3 22 6 1 15 35 60 -25 18 11th Nashir Hussainy 12
2023 SL1 22 4 5 13 17 35 -18 17 10th Nashir Hussainy 6

Managerial history

[edit]
  • Scotland Gus MacLeod (1987–1996)
  • Serbia Dušan Kalezić (1997–1998)
  • Scotland John Gardiner (1998)
  • Serbia Miloš Nasić (1999)
  • Australia Bobby McLaughlin (1999)
  • North Macedonia Zoran Trajčevski (2006–2007)
  • Serbia Vlado Zorić (2007)
  • Greece/Australia Leon Gardikiotis (2007)
  • Australia James Sid (2007)
  • England Stan Webster (2008)
  • Serbia/Australia Zlatko Mihajlović (2008–2011)
  • Serbia/Australia Bojo Jevdjevic (2012)
  • Serbia/Australia Zlatko Mihajlović (2013–2015)
  • North Macedonia/Australia Boyan Mitkov (2015–2016)
  • Serbia/Australia Nik Kovačević (2016)
  • North Macedonia/Australia Vlado Tortevski (2017)
  • Serbia/Australia Nik Kovačević (2018–2019)
  • Serbia/Australia Nebojša Vukosavljević (2019)
  • North Macedonia/Australia John Markovski (2020)
  • Armenia/Australia Artour Kirichian (2021–2022)
  • Serbia/Australia Darko Djurić (2022-2023)
  • Australia Andrew Skledar (2024)
[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Springvale White Eagles Divisional History". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  2. ^ https://digitised-collections.unimelb.edu.au/bitstream/handle/11343/54914/UDS2013221-14-0127-wm.jpg?sequence=125&isAllowed=y [bare URL image file]
  3. ^ "Springvale coach Gardikiotis resigns". www.heraldsun.com.au/. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  4. ^ "2011 Victorian Premier League – Final Table". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Ladder for Men's State League Div 1 – FOX SPORTS PULSE". foxsportspulse.com. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  6. ^ "Ladder for Men's State League 2 South-East – FOX SPORTS PULSE". foxsportspulse.com. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Summary – Victoria Division One – Australia – Results, fixtures, tables and news – Soccerway". au.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Summary – Victoria Division One – Australia – Results, fixtures, tables and news – Soccerway". au.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Mihajlovic departs White Eagles – The Corner Flag". cornerflag.com.au. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  10. ^ "White Eagles add Mitkov, Caminos to coaching structure – The Corner Flag". cornerflag.com.au. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  11. ^ Kulas, Damir. "Jovanovic departs childhood club for Kingston". The Corner Flag. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Mitkov and Caminos depart White Eagles, Kovacevic joins". The Corner Flag. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  13. ^ "Summary - State Leagues - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
  14. ^ "Kovacevic departs White Eagles, takes up Paco role". The Corner Flag. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  15. ^ Kulas, Damir. "White Eagles appoint former Altona championship winner Tortevski". The Corner Flag. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  16. ^ Kulas, Damir. "Tortevski and White Eagles part ways". The Corner Flag. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  17. ^ "Ladder for PS4 NPL2 East VIC Men". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Ladder for NPL2 East VIC Men". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
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