Western Eagles FC

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Western Eagles F.C.
Full nameWestern Eagles Football Club
Nickname(s)Polonia, Eagles
Founded13 August 1950 as Polonia S.C.
GroundPolish Club, 19 Carrington Drive
Albion, Victoria
Capacity2,000
ChairmanDarek Lodkowski
LeagueVictorian State League Division 3 North-West
20234th
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Western Eagles FC is an Australian football (soccer) club based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.

The club's foundation meeting was held on 13 August 1950, at 93 Brighton Road, St. Kilda Victoria. The meeting decided that the club would be known as "Polonia Soccer Club".

KS Polonia was one of the powerhouses of Victorian and Australian soccer in the 1950s and 1960s, before making a brief revival in the 1980s. The club has since fallen to the lower reaches of the Victorian football league system, and currently participates in the Victorian State League Division 3.

Club history[edit]

Foundation[edit]

With the conclusion of the Second World War, many Poles did not want to remain in or return to their homeland for various reasons and as such made the decision to emigrate to Australia and begin a new life for themselves and their families. They were ex-servicemen and women, displaced persons, etc.

As Poles have done for countless generations, they began to form various organisations to uphold their old traditions and their identities, to alleviate their homesickness, finding solace with their own kind in a strange and at times inhospitable new land. Sport has always been a major enjoyment to Poles and as such a Polish Soccer Club was inevitable.

The foundation meeting was held on 13 August 1950 at 93 Brighton Road, St Kilda. The Meeting was an initiative of Zdzislaw Zabuski, Boleslaw Mlewski, Jacek Wyszogrodzki and the Polish Association in Victoria. The first committee was elected on 27 August 1950 and consisted of Wladyslaw Kowalik – President, Wiktor Kwiatkowski – Hon. Secretary, Franek Skowronski – Treasurer, Kazimierz Zielinski – Team Manager, Boleslaw Mlewski – Coach, Mieczyslaw Terlikowski – Team Manager. The meeting decided that the club would be named Polonia Sports Club.

Club Presidents 1950–1970

The early years[edit]

"Polonia" being Latin for Poland and the colours of white and red adopted. Polonia played its first game in September 1950, against JUST(Division 3 Champions and holders of the Australian World Cup) and defeated them 4:3. The club's first official league game took place at Williamstown Racecourse, on 7 April 1951 defeating Geelong United 3:1. It was the beginning of a meteoric climb and the beginning of the golden fifties and sixties for the club. Polonia became 4th Division Champions in their first season of existence in 1951, and 3rd Division Champions in 1952 winning the league without dropping a single point ![1] In 1953 Polonia finished Division 2 Runners-up winning promotion to Division 1, and becoming World Cup Champions. Players, who starred in these early days and will be remembered by many were Stefan Czauderna and Boleslaw Zablocki, pivot for the Victorian team that played the touring England team in 1951 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[2] Stasek Galecki was the best left wing in the State of Victoria at the time, and Augus Dziura, a fine goal scoring center forward.

1951 end of season photograph at Williamstown Racecourse

By 1954 Polonia had climbed into the First Division, losing just one league game in 3 years. It had taken only four years to get from the bottom to the top of the Victorian soccer pyramid structure.

The club reached the Dockerty Cup final for the first time in their history in 1955. The final played on 22 October, at Ascot Vale ended with a 1:1 draw to Hakoah, with the opening goal from Polonia's Peter Schipperheyn in the 51-minute. The side lost the Cup final replay 2:0 on 5 November.

During its early years the club was fortunate to secure services of Zdzislaw Zabuski, an engineer and businessman, and the club's most loyal supporter, who provided employment for many of the Polonia players. His knowledge of local conditions proved extremely useful. Mr Zabuski was elected club President in 1951.

Julian Chrzanowski was one of the club's first committee members and players. Mr Chrzanowski was a member of the Polish Resistance in World War II, before he was captured and send to Auschwitz concentration camp. He barely survived and was offered the chance to migrate to Australia or the United States. He arrived to Australia in 1949. He became the foundation member of Polonia. He played in the club's first game, and was a member of the championship teams of 1951 and 1952.

W.R.Thomas, President of Victorian Soccer Football Association was Polonia's most influential and noteworthy supporters. He recalls in 1951, prior of taking the Victoria State team on tour of New Zealand, arranging with Polonia club President Zdzislaw Zabuski, to play a trail game against the newly formed Polonia Soccer Club. He was shocked when the lowly and newly formed fourth Division team soundly beat his Touring team 7:1. He then became one of the club's great followers, even with his son, Brian, was a playing member of Polonia first team, representing the club in the 1954 season, debuting in Division One.

In 1956, the year of the Melbourne Olympic Games, Polonia officials took the opportunity to approach visiting membersof the Polish Olympic Committee who agreed to allow some of Poland's best players to come to Melbourne. Polonia was fortunate to have amongst its ranks, the dynamic figure of Ted Lezon, a person gifted with explosive energy and controversial temperament which gave the Club plenty of drive and lift and who to this day is still an influence to the present. In 1956, Ted Lezon was entertaining officials of the Polish Olympic Teams and jokingly said "What about Polonia getting some top class players from Poland", that remark set the ball rolling, Dr Charles Walker, who was Club president at the time, had influential connections in Poland and the joke became reality.

Dr. Charles Walker was a Polish doctor born in Lviv, Poland. Dr Walker arrived in Australia just before the Second World War, and as a doctor was part of the Australian Army Force that combat against the Japanese in Papua New Guinea. Dr Walker began his work with the club in 1950 as a medical volunteer. By 1952 he was elected club President, role he fulfilled in the following years ; 1953, 1955–1956, 1958–1963.

On 13 June 1959, the first five of a long line of Polish stars arrived in Melbourne. They were Roch Dronia, Ryszard Szczepanski, Kaz Szygalski, Marian Gasior and Wieslaw Janczyk.

The highlight era in the club's history, were the early 1960s. In the season of 1960 and 1961 Polonia won back to back State League Championship, and becoming 1961 Dockerty Cup Winners beating George Cross 4:2 in the Final on 7 October, at Olympic Park with goals from Zygmund Gross, Zdzislaw Maruszkiewicz and a brace from Mieczyslaw Jurecki. This most successful side in the club's history also won the prestige "World Cup" tournament. Some of the most influential players of that time were; Mieczyslaw Jurecki, Wieslaw Janczyk, Wieslaw Gamaj, Zdzislaw Maruszkiewicz, Jerzy Dudon, Charlie Morks, Marian Gasior, Remo Guardiani, Ryszard Szczepanski, Roch Dronia, Kazimierz Szygalski, Zygmunt Gross, Henryk Gronowski, Ference Voros. President of Polonia SC at that time was Dr. Charles Walker. Our club also had representatives at international level. Players that had the honor to represent the Australian national team were George Pittoni, Lolly Vella and Robert Wemyss. Mieczyslaw Jurecki and Kazimierz Kowalec had the opportunity to play in the Australian "B" team.[3] There was a number of players that were Poland's national team representatives ; Wieslaw Janczyk, Edward Jankowski, Zygmunt Gadecki, Norbert Gajda, Henryk and Robert Gronowski, Mieczyslaw Jurecki, Edmund Zientara.

Photograph of the 1960 State League Championship team at Olimpic Park

In 1963 Polonia finished Runners-up in three competitions. In the Victorian State League, two points behind JUST, taking just 3 points in their final four games. The State League Leading Goalscorer that season was Edward Jankowski with 21 goals. Same year Polonia lost in the Final of the Dockerty Cup to ... JUST, losing 2:4 at Olympic Park. The team also lost in the Final of Australia Cup, which was the first national club tournament in the country initiated in 1962. The 1963 final was contested by two Melbourne clubs, with Slavia Melbourne beating Polonia 3:2 in a replay, after a scoreless draw in the first game. In the final replay, Des Palmer scored a hat-trick for the winners. On its way to the final Polonia faced Adelaide Juventus, George Cross, Brisbane Azzuri, and Sydney Prague in the semi-final, winning 3:1. Polonia did manage to win the 1963 Ampol Cup, pre-season competition, beating South Melbourne Hellas in the Final.[4]

In 1981, 20 years after winning their last league title, Polonia finally topped the Victorian Metropolitan League Division 1, clinching a place back into the State League after a 4-year absence. The outstanding players of that team were Leszek Dzielakowski, Richard Lipiarski, Marian Jaworski, John Wallace, Greg Gamanski, Brendon Lakic, Tadeusz Krysinski, Peter Chapnik, Richard Sekulski, Stan Klain, Michael Pichner, Dave Gibson and Alex Marshall. In charge of the team was Kaz Kowalec, a former great player himself.

Stefan Mila was awarded the 1983 Victorian State League Gold Medal – Player of the Year Award. The 1984 season Polonia finished Runners-up in the State League ending the season three points behind Morwell Falcons, and reaching the Dockerty Cup Final, losing to Fawkner 3:2 after extra time. Same year Janusz Przybyla was the State League's top Goalscorer netting 23 goals, despite been out injured for five games.

In 1987 Maribyrnong Polonia won its third Victorian State Championship. The team finished on top of the league with 42 points, three-point ahead of Green Gully. The club's woes began the following season. Due to poor management of the club's finances and by overpaying most of its players, the club had no choice but to start selling its best players. From 1989 to 1992 Polonia suffered successive relegations.

1987 State Champions

Polonia has been gifted with having some of the most influential people in Polish circles amongst its ranks, the likes of Ted Lezon, who has served in every capacity within the club and is accredited with single-handedly saving the club from extinction, soon after its glorious 1987 State League Championship Win. He has been a mentor to many of the present committee and still casts his long shadow today. The late Tomasz Ostrowski, gifted writer, journalist, philosopher extraordinary and Champion of Polish causes. Polonia secured approval to play its matches at Maribyrnong at the old Tracy Speedway venue and in an effort to assimilate with the local community renamed themselves "Polonia Maribyrnong Soccer Club". They remained at this venue until 1991, at which time they moved to the Polish Sports and Recreation Centre, Albion where facilities were created for their permanent stay.

Polonia has always been a force to contend with in Victorian Soccer circles and has won countless titles. Polonia won the Victorian Championship on three occasions, in the seasons of 1960, 1961 and 1987.

1998–2019[edit]

Since 1998 Polonia is known as Western Eagles Football Club, changing club name from Sunshine Heights, which the club has been known as from 1991, after the move to the club's new home at Albion,[5] a privately own venue based in the western suburbs of Melbourne. The "Polonia" being dropped as a requirement of the Victorian Soccer Federation to shed their ethnic appeal in 1992.

Polish Club – 19 Carrington Drive, Albion

One of the darkest chapters in the club's history was the disastrous merger venture with Melbourne City. For reasons not known or understood to this day by many supporters, the club's committee made a decision to merge with and compete as Melbourne City in the Victorian State League Division 1 in the 1999 season. In the 2000 season due to the legacy of that merger Western Eagles found themselves in the Victorian Provisional League Division 3. With new club President Darren Bednarski, who embed new life to the club and with the appointment of Leszek Dzielakowski as head coach, the club started a brief revival with three promotions in five years, rising from Provisional League Division 3 to Victorian State League Division 3, where the club finished in 8th position in the 2005 season, coached by Milorad Gelic. In this period the Club won its first league Championship in 16 years, topping the Victorian Provisional League Division 2 in 2003 on 46 points – 5 points ahead of Ballarat. This was the first year the club was in charge by the new Club President – Tadeusz Ziegler. Players who were most involved in that period were ; Darren Bednarski, Ivan Devcic, Paul Dzielakowski, Wojciech Galon, Kamil Gamanski, Andrew Gurman, Konrad Leski, Lukasz Lewinski, Adam Mostowski, Alex Samayoa, Marek Szczepanski and Slawomir Zientara.

The 2006 season was disastrous. The club was hit by crisis after crisis, coaching changes and a player walkout, which saw the club relegated back to Provisional League.

Wojciech Laskowski was elected Club President in 2010, the year the club was celebrating its 60th year of existence. The team coached by Sinisa Opacic became Provisional League 2 champions, topping the league table with 44 points. On 6 August 2011 the club organised a 60th Anniversary Gala where the Eagles had over 200 supporters gather, with former greats and the current team members at the Polish Sport and Recreation Centre. They spoke about legends of years past, relived the glory years and discuss the current club situation.

The club's head coach for the 2013 and 2014 season was Srecko Baresic-Nikic, a former professional player himself in Europe. He, together with the club committee and players, planned to bring Western Eagles back on the Victorian football map. The 2013[6] season Eagles finished 5th on the table with 32 points, and still manage to win promotion to Division 3 due to the new competition format for state level football in Victoria, ending the season with a 3:1 win over league champions Corio. The team also had a solid run in the 2013 edition of the FFV State Knockout Cup were the club reached Round 5, going down to Preston Lions 1:2, after an entertaining game at Albion. The team played throughout the 2013 season facing many injury problems, giving a chance to play many of the club's youth players, one of them being Thomas Deng,[7] who in 2014 signed with the A-League Club Melbourne Victory and made his first international appearance for Australia Under-20 side. Deng made his senior football debut for Western Eagles against Williamstown. Kacper Hubiak became the club's top goalscorer for the fourth consecutive season, with 15 goals, first player to do so in the club's 63-year history. Despite a solid start to the 2014 season where Eagles were sitting in second position in the table after Round 8 with 16 points, the team had a disappointing end to the year losing the last 4 games, including a crushing 8:1 defeat in round 20 to the league champions Essendon Royals. It was the third biggest league defeat in the club's history.

Since the 2000 season, the club is fortunate to have a dynamic, hardworking and controversial figure amongst its ranks, a former player himself, Mark Szpakolski, who gives the club plenty of drive and passion. The likes of Joe Gorczynski, Janusz Przybyla, Leszek Dzielakowski and Wladyslaw Pejko, who are supporting the club by providing constructive and positive influence to others involved. Also, the supportive role of Steve Janus, who was one of the club's major sponsors for more than 15 years.

At the beginning of the 2016 season the club committee and its junior players, was presented with a cheque from Hyundai Australia as part of the "Goals For Grassroots" program. The presentation took place at Etihad Stadium before the A-League fixture between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers. A dismal run of form saw the team slip to the bottom of the league table with only 6 points from its opening 10 games of the 2016 season. The Eagles rally in the second half of the season to finished in 10th place with 23 points. The side's relegation was confirmed by a lost in the relegation playoff to FC Strathmore 1:0, by a way of a penalty kick in the first half, on 24 September, at Paisley Park.[8]

On 15 July 2017 the club's 1500th league game celebration took place at Albion. On this historic occasion the team under Daniel Krasic responded and made the club proud with a 2:1 win over Altona North, courtesy of a Matthew Lodkowski and Jack Karyakos goals. On the day the club's oldest player Stefan Czauderna (90) who walked out with our youngest junior player, lead the senior team out to the pitch. Members of local government and Brimbank Council, Honorable Consul for the Republic of Poland – Dr George J. Luk, Secretary of the SPK Victoria – Bogdan Platek, club members, former players and coaches, sponsors and supporters, all gathered to celebrate the club's achievement. Polonia finished the season in 8th place.

The club appointed Patrick Mangion as the new coach during the 2018 pre-season, who replaced Danny Krasic in mid March. After a 1:1 draw against Altona North in round 4, Eagles won nine games in a row. During this time they secured first position and held it for the remainder of the season. Western Eagles managed to secure the State League 4 Championship of the 2018 season after only 18 rounds.[9] Eagles claimed the title in front of their home fans on 4 August, beating Truganina Hornets 2:1, having come from being 1:0 down: Matthew Lodkowski equalized in the 69th minute of the game and Stefan Dimeski scored the winner three minutes before full-time. Matthew Lodkowski became the leading goalscorer in State League Division 4 with 32 goals for the season, surpassing Janusz Przybyla tally of 23 (State League), and making him Western Eagles highest goalscorer in a single season. Western Eagles won the 2018 Division 4 season with a nine-point margin.

Western Eagles – Round 1 of the 2018 season, 24 March game against Golden Plains (3:0).

2020–[edit]

In October 2019, the club announced Steve Iosifidis.[10] as the new senior coach for the 2020 season. Iosifidis a former professional player, back-to-back NSL titles winner with South Melbourne under Ange Postecoglou. All Victorian football competitions in 2020 were cancelled due to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The 2021 season is being disrupted due to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, with the season being suspended from August 2021 from government-imposed lockdowns, with promotion and relegation suspended.[11]

The 2023 season was an extremely tight one, with only 5 points separating second and sixth at the conclusion of the regular season. Western Eagles stormed home with 6 wins from its final 10 matches to finish fourth, only four points behind the runners-up Craigieburn City.

Club name changes[edit]

Name Period
Polonia 1950–1972
Maribyrnong Polonia 1973–1990
Sunshine Heights Polonia 1991–1992
Sunshine Heights 1993–1997
Western Eagles 1998–present

Honours[edit]

League[edit]

Women[edit]

  • Victorian Women's State League Division 2
Champions (1) : 2012
Runners-up (1) : 2011
  • Victorian Women's State League Division 3
Champions (1) : 2008
  • Victorian Women's State League Division 4
Champions (1) : 2023[16]
  • Victorian Women's State League Division 5
Runners-Up (1) : 2022
  • Victorian Women's Metropolitan League (North-West)
Runners-up (1) : 2007

Individual honours[edit]

Victorian State League Gold Medal – Player of the Year[17]

  • 1983 – Stefan Mila

Bill Fleming Medal[18]

  • 1956 – Robert Wemyss
  • 1960 – Wieslaw Janczyk

Sporting Globe Medal[19]

  • 1960 – Wieslaw Janczyk
  • 1961 – Mieczyslaw Jurecki
  • 1962 - Stanislaw Szklarek

Victorian Provisional League 2 Best & Fairest

  • 2002 - Alex Samayoa

Victorian State League Leading Goal Scorer[20]

  • 1961 – Mieczyslaw Jurecki 17 goals
  • 1963 – Edward Jankowski 21 goals
  • 1984 – Janusz Przybyla 23 goals

Victorian State League Division 1 Leading Goal Scorer

  • 1981 - Tadeusz Krysinski 14 goals

Victorian State League Division 3 Leading Goal Scorer

  • 1952 - Julian Chrzanowski

Victorian State League Division 4 Leading Goal Scorer

  • 1951 - Julian Chrzanowski
  • 2018 - Matthew Lodkowski 32 goals

International Representatives[edit]

Notable Former Coaches[edit]

  • PolandWieslaw Janczyk 1960–61, 1965–66
  • PolandEdmund Zientara 1964
  • Australia Poland Kazimierz Kowalec 1968–1972, 1980–82
  • Poland Eugeniusz Lerch 1975–76
  • Australia Poland Edward Widera 1978, 2009
  • Australia Poland Leszek Dzielakowski 1983, 1989, 2000–01, 2016
  • AustraliaIsraelMiron Bleiberg 1986–87
  • Australia Poland Janusz Przybyla 1988–1990, 1998, 2002
  • Australia Milorad Gelic 2005, 2014
  • AustraliaCroatiaSrecko Baresic – Nikic 2013–14
  • Australia Greece Steve Iosifidis 2020–2022

Club Presidents[edit]

 
Name Year
Wladyslaw Kowalik 1950
Zdzislaw Zabuski 1951
Dr. Charles Walker 1952–53, 1955–56, 1958–63
Victor Ertel 1957
Marian Zarzycki 1964–66, 1968–71
Janusz Klimecki 1967
Basil Sowacki 1972–73, 1975
George Kerry 1974
Wladyslaw Suwinski 1975–77
George Pater 1978
Mieczyslaw Zurek 1979–1985, 1994
Richard Makarucha 1986–88
Tadeusz Lezon 1989–90, 1992
Joe Gorczynski 1991–92
Henry Dressler 1993
Miroslaw Rybak 1995–97
Wally Klain 1998
John Pater 1999
 
Name Years
Darren Bednarski 2000–02
Tadeusz Ziegler 2003–06
Adam Drahan 2007, 2015
Steve Janus 2008–09
Wojciech Laskowski 2010–14, 2016
Adam Jaskulowski 2017
Kerri Popczyk[22] 2018–19
Darek Lodkowski 2020–23
Peter Marmura 2024

Western Eagles Divisional history[23][edit]

Season League Position Games Wins Draws Losses GF GA Points
1951 Victorian Division 4 1 14 13 1 0 70 5 27
1952 Victorian Division 3 1 18 18 0 0 89 8 36
1953 Victorian Division 2 2 18 13 4 1 66 16 30
1954 Victorian Division 1 3 18 8 6 4 36 24 22
1955 Victorian Division 1 2 18 12 5 1 45 22 29
1956 Victorian Division 1 4 18 9 5 4 55 22 23
1957 Victorian Division 1 8 18 8 2 8 36 32 18
1958 Victorian State League 6 22 10 4 8 45 36 24
1959 Victorian State League 6 22 8 7 7 37 31 23
1960 Victorian State League 1 22 16 5 1 54 20 37
1961 Victorian State League 1 22 16 3 3 51 19 35
1962 Victorian State League 8 22 9 3 10 30 29 21
1963 Victorian State League 2 22 13 6 3 63 21 32
1964 Victorian State League 6 22 10 6 6 46 25 26
1965 Victorian State League 8 22 7 7 8 19 24 21
1966 Victorian State League 8 22 7 5 10 24 26 19
1967 Victorian State League 9 22 7 2 13 41 45 16
1968 Victorian State League 2 22 9 8 5 29 25 26
1969 Victorian State League 8 22 8 4 10 22 37 20
1970 Victorian State League 8 22 8 4 10 34 43 20
1971 Victorian State League 7 22 9 4 9 21 26 22
1972 Victorian State League 9 22 7 3 12 26 38 17
1973 Victorian State League 8 22 7 4 11 16 28 18
1974 Victorian State League 10 22 7 3 12 24 27 17
1975 Victorian State League 10 22 5 6 11 16 36 16
1976 Victorian State League 12 22 2 5 15 20 44 9
1977 Victorian State League 12 22 2 4 16 21 47 8
1978 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 1 3 22 11 4 7 24 19 26
1979 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 1 2 22 11 7 4 39 19 29
1980 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 1 3 22 11 4 7 27 18 26
1981 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 1 1 22 16 3 3 53 23 35
1982 Victorian State League 5 26 11 7 8 47 37 29
1983 Victorian State League 6 26 10 6 10 38 35 26
1984 Victorian State League 2 26 15 7 4 64 37 37
1985 Victorian State League 6 26 10 7 9 35 29 27
1986 Victorian State League 12 26 6 7 13 23 30 19
1987 Victorian State League 1 28 18 6 4 43 23 42
1988 Victorian State League 12 30 10 6 14 41 42 26
1989 Victorian State League 16 30 3 4 23 19 76 10
1990 Victorian State League Division 1 12 26 4 12 10 33 41 20
1991 Victorian State League Division 2 15 30 7 6 17 23 64 20
1992 Victorian State League Division 3 13 28 8 6 14 33 50 22
1993 Victorian State League Division 4 7 28 12 5 11 32 32 29
1994 Victorian State League Division 4 8 28 11 5 12 42 41 27
1995 Victorian State League Division 4 7 26 11 7 8 39 31 37
1996 Victorian State League Division 4 4 26 15 3 8 55 27 48
1997 Victorian State League Division 4 4 26 15 5 6 58 30 50
1998 Victorian State League Division 4 10 26 7 8 11 40 48 29
1999

Merged with and competed as Melbourne City

2000 Victorian Provisional League Division 3 N/W 2 22 14 7 1 61 32 49
2001 Victorian Provisional League Division 2 N/W 3 22 12 6 4 46 18 42
2002 Victorian Provisional League Division 2 N/W 4 22 10 8 4 53 29 38
2003 Victorian Provisional League Division 2 N/W 1 22 13 7 2 44 16 46
2004 Victorian Provisional League Division 1 N/W 3 22 10 8 4 44 31 38
2005 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 8 22 8 6 8 37 37 30
2006 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 12 22 3 1 18 13 55 10
2007 Victorian Provisional League Division 1 N/W 7 22 8 6 8 31 32 30
2008 Victorian Provisional League Division 1 N/W 8 22 8 5 9 38 33 29
2009 Victorian Provisional League Division 1 N/W 11 22 5 4 13 23 35 18
2010 Victorian Provisional League Division 2 N/W 1 22 14 5 3 41 19 44
2011 Victorian Provisional League Division 1 N/W 11 22 6 3 13 32 39 21
2012 Victorian Provisional League Division 2 N/W 8 22 8 5 9 33 39 28
2013 Victorian State League Division 4 W 5 22 9 5 8 35 27 32
2014 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 6 21 7 5 9 30 32 26
2015 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 6 22 8 5 9 28 35 29
2016 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 10 22 7 2 13 32 44 23
2017 Victorian State League Division 4 W 8 22 6 7 9 30 43 25
2018 Victorian State League Division 4 W 1 20 17 2 1 70 22 53
2019 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 9 22 6 6 10 29 37 24
2020 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W Season cancelled due to COVID-19
2021** Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 2 14 10 0 4 31 18 30
2022 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 9 22 6 7 9 30 36 25
2023 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W 4 22 10 7 5 36 29 36
2024 Victorian State League Division 3 N/W
Champions Runners-up Promoted Relegated
  • Total games played 1607 – W 675 – D 358 – L 574 GF 2691 GA 2246 in 71 seasons
  • Divisional History source from OzFootball.net (1951–2010)


**2021 season suspended from August 2021 from government-imposed COVID-19 lockdowns. Promotion and relegation was suspended.

All-time table[edit]

League number of seasons total games Win Draw Loss GF GA
State League* 32 730 287 161 282 1121 1036
State/Division 1 5 114 53 30 31 176 120
State/Division 2 2 48 20 10 18 89 80
State/Division 3 11 235 91 45 99 388 381
State/Division 4 10 238 116 48 74 471 306
Provisional League 1 5 110 37 26 47 168 170
Provisional League 2 5 110 57 31 22 217 121
Provisional League 3 1 22 14 7 1 61 32
TOTAL 71 1607 675 358 574 2691 2246


*Level 1 on the Victorian league system was the Victorian Division 1 from 1909 to 1957, Victorian State League from 1958 to 1990, Victorian Premier League from 1991 to 2013, National Premier League from 2014.

League records against other league clubs 1951-2023[edit]

Played Wins Draws Losses Goals F:A First league meeting
Brunswick Zebras 62 20 17 25 72:94 1954
Ringwood City 58 18 13 27 82:107 1957
St.Kilda Hakoah 50 14 12 24 72:88 1954
Box Hill 46 29 8 9 92:46 1954
Footscray JUST 46 14 14 18 65:70 1954
George Cross 44 15 9 20 52:60 1958
Slavia Prahran 42 17 11 14 53:43 1956
Melbourne Hungaria 36 14 12 10 50:34 1960
South Melbourne 34 9 6 19 44:59 1961
Melbourne Knights 26 9 3 14 29:42 1962
Fitzroy United Alexander 24 14 5 5 50:26 1964
Moreland City 24 13 6 5 55:35 1954
Corio 24 11 3 10 48:35 1992
Fawkner 23 7 5 11 30:33 1983
Williamstown 22 6 6 10 28:36 1995
Sunbury United 22 6 6 10 27:41 1991
Brighton 20 13 2 5 47:20 1954
Lions USC 20 10 5 5 36:23 1962
Geelong Rangers 20 9 5 6 32:22 1993
Western Suburbs 18 9 1 8 31:23 1978

Records[edit]

Highest scoring League games
Goals vs Date Score
11 Monbulk 7 June 1997 11:0
10 Heidelberg 26 May 1951 10:0
10 Footscray City 21 July 1956 9:1
10 West Preston 9 July 2000 8:2
10 Truganina Hornets 12 May 2018 8:2
9 Heidelberg 14 April 1951 9:0
9 Royal Caledonians 17 May 1952 8:1
9 Woodlands 28 June 1952 9:0
9 Moreland 14 June 1958 2:7
9 Green Gully 27 August 1989 0:9
9 Frankston Pines 3 September 1989 5:4
9 Westgate 10 June 1990 4:5
9 Corio 14 May 2005 6:3
9 Essendon Royals 30 August 2014 1:8
9 Westvale 19 June 2021 8:1

Western Eagles – Polonia – Championship Teams[edit]

Year Division Players used
1951 Division 4 1. Stefan Czauderna, 2. Jan Mazurek, 3. Boleslaw Zablocki, 4. Augustyn Dziura, 5. Stanislaw Galecki, 6. Henryk Jakubowski, 7. Tadeusz Koszanski, 8. Tadeusz Bialek, 9. Emanuel Wolany, 10. Ludwik Cebula, 11. Jan Garcarczyk, 12. Mieczyslaw Terlikowski, 13. Julian Chrzanowski, 14. Stanislaw Bialas, 15. Stanislaw Grabski, 16. Jozef Kopacz, 17. Bronislaw Langiewicz, 18. Mikolaj Pavlov Coach Boleslaw Mlewski
1952[24] Division 3 1. Stefan Czauderna, 2.Jan Mazurek, 3. Boleslaw Zablocki, 4. Augustyn Dziura, 5. Stanislaw Galecki, 6. Henryk Jakubowski 7. Julian Chrzanowski, 8. Jozef Czerkiewicz, 9. Palka, 10. Zdenek, 11. Jan Zuraszek, 12. Jan Garcarczyk, 13 Lacko, 14. Tadeusz Bialek, 15. Jozef Kopacz Coach Boleslaw Mlewski
1960[25] State League 1. John Morks, 2. Mieczyslaw Jurecki, 3. Kazimierz Szygalski, 4. Roch Dronia, 5. Jerzy Dudon, 6. Wieslaw Gamaj, 7. Ryszard Szczepanski, 8. Wieslaw Janczyk, 9. Zdzislaw Maruszkiewicz, 10. Remo Guardiani, 11. Marian Gasior, 12. Bruno Rueter, 13. Harry Capobus, 14. Anton Brkic, 15. Vince Parlatoni, 16. Henryk Jakubowski, 17. Bernard Biro Coach Wieslaw Janczyk
1961[26] State League 1. John Morks, 2. Mieczyslaw Jurecki, 3. Kazimierz Szygalski, 4. Roch Dronia, 5. Jerzy Dudon, 6. Wieslaw Gamaj, 7. Ryszard Szczepanski, 8. Wieslaw Janczyk, 9. Zdzislaw Maruszkiewicz, 10. Remo Guardiani, 11. Marian Gasior, 12. Henryk Gronowski, 13. Robert Gronowski, 14. Ference Voros, 15. Zygmunt Gross, 16.Mike Terlikowski, 17.Bruno Reuter, 18 Anton Brkic Coach Wieslaw Janczyk
1981[27] Metropolitan League Division 1 1. Leszek Dzielakowski (22/0), 2. Richard Lipiarski (22/0), 3. Marian Jaworski (22/0), 4. Joe Herman (9/0), 5. John Wallace (22/5), 6. Greg Gamanski (19/1), 7. Andrew Czapnik (4/1), 8. Chris Gerick (11/0), 9. Brendan Lakic (22/14), 10. Tadeusz Krysinski (20/14), 11. Peter Chapnik (22/7), 12. Richard Sekulski (19/4),13. Stan Klain (15/0), 14. Micheal Pichner (17/1), 15. Tadeusz Rachwalski (2/0), 16. Alex Marshall (12/4) Coach Kazimierz Kowalec (Games played / Goals scored )
1987[28] State League 1. Zdzislaw Kostrzewa (12/0), 2. Richard Lipiarski (28/0), 3. Gerry Bennett (28/0), 4. Aki Kotzamichaelis (28/3), 5. Greg Warszawski (17/9), 6. Peter Chapnik (25/4), 7. Jan Wycislik (27/5), 8. Gordan Flavell (24/0), 9. Brendan Lakic (26/3), 10. Kees Storm (28/11), 11. Miroslaw Smolarek (22/0), 12. Joe Kiss (16/0), 13. Rob Nelson (28/0), 14. Alex Marshall (17/4), 15 Janusz Baran (12/0), 16 Steve Chetcuti (5/0), 17 Paul Drinoczky (3/0), 18 Leszek Gregorczuk (3/0), 19 Janusz Przybyla (1/0), 20 Bobby Stojcevski (1/0), 21 Luke Ognenovski (1/0) Coach Miron Bleiberg (15), Rob Nelson (13) (Games played / Goals scored )
2003[29] Provisional League Division 2 1. Slawomir Zientara (18/0), 2. Andrew Jezard (13/0), 3. Marek Szczepanski (16/2), 4. Lukasz Lewinski (19/0), 5. Eric Zsembrey (17/1), 6. Alex Samayoa (22/4), 7. Andrew Gurman (8/2), 8. Kamil Gamanski (17/5), 9. Ivan Devcic (20/13) 10. Wojciech Galon (22/2), 11. Konrad Leski (17/10), 12. Adam Dachs (4/0), 13. Andrew Najda (9/0), 14. Milton Lopez (7/0), 15. Mark Tassone (14/0), 16. Fortunato Lariccia (11/0), 17. Piotr Marmura (8/1), 18. Tomasz Wierzbicki (17/1), 19. Andrew Mottram (5/0), 20. Ante Lanzaneo (13/1), 21. Krzysztof Grabowski (3/0), 22. Mateusz Kowalski (3/0), 23. Krzysztof Slodyczka (1/0) Coach Nino Comegna (Games played / Goals scored )
2010[30] Provisional League Division 2 1. Marek Klek, 2. Lukasz Galon, 3. Charles Mizzi, 4. Adam Melideo, 5. Darko Dukic, 6. Adrian Purganic, 7. Andrew Donato, 8. Mateusz Kowalski, 9. Kacper Hubiak, 10. Wojciech Galon, 11. Robert Chelchowski, 12. John Strycharski, 13. Owen Sacco, 14. Robert Rubinich, 15. Adrian Kozulin, 16. Lukasz Lewinski, 17. Maciej Slodyczka, 18. Phillip Mucha, 19. Konrad Leski Coach Sinisa Opacic
2018[31] Division 4 1.Akim Abdul, 2.Charles Mizzi, 3.Dion Portelli, 4.John Roberts, 5.Marcel Pedersen, 6.Murray Haining, 7.Mateusz Kowalski, 8.Jack Karyakos, 9.Robert Chelchowski, 10.Matthew Lodkowski, 11.Stefan Dimeski, 12.Kane Manicaro, 13.Juan Igic, 14.Michael Luzar, 15.Maciej Slodyczka, 16.Lukasz Lewinski, 17.Benjamin Michael, 18.Sebastian Miekus, 19.Ange Soumbassis,20.Maciej Sztendur, 21.Max Perrins, 22.Lukasz Kopij, 23.Matuesz Slodyczka, 24.Haron Abdulovski, 25.Oktay Oztekin Coach Patrick Mangion
  • 1960
    1960

Cup Competition[edit]

Dockerty Cup Finals[edit]

Year Champion Runner up Score Goal Scorer Polonia Lineup Venue Crowd
1955[32] Hakoah Polonia 2:0 J.Gottesman 60,

R.Piercy 85

Stefan Czauderna, Harry Capobus, Henryk Jakubowski; Bob Wemyss, Bill Lawrie, Stanislaw Plekan, Andrew Czerkaski, Robert Strahan, Peter Schipperheyn, John Backley, Jim Johnson Showgrounds, Ascot Vale 6500
1961[33] Maribyrnong Polonia George Cross 4:2 M.Jurecki (2)

Z.Gross Z.Maruszkiewicz (Polonia) SG: B.Copeland (2) (George Cross)

Henryk Gronowski, Robert Gronowski, Marian Gasior, Wieslaw Janczyk, Zdzislaw Maruszkiewicz, Richard Szczepanski, Jerzy Dudon, Zygmunt Gross, Mieczyslaw Jurecki, Wieslaw Gamaj, Roch Dronia Olympic Park 5000
1963[34] Footscray JUST Maribyrnong Polonia 4:2 I.Pikl 40, 66

T.Stankovic 80 M.Pejovic 85 (JUST) M.Jurecki 77 E.Jankowski 83 (Polonia)

Bruno Putkowski, Marian Gasior, Richard Szczepanski, Wieslaw Janczyk, Zygmunt Gross, Jerzy Dudon, Micheal Mroczkowski (Sent off), Edward Jankowski, Mieczyslaw Jurecki, Edmund Zientara, Roch Dronia Olympic Park 6000
1976 Footscray JUST Maribyrnong Polonia 2:0 Palinkas 2, Buljevic 80 Larry Ostrowsky, Stan Klain, Marian Jaworski, Eddie Marmur, Barney Klimecki, Andrew Czapnik, George Nierobicz, Ricky Lipiarski (John Dykun 71'), Michael Borucinski (Ralph Esposito 56'), Joe Herman, Hugh Humphrey.Coach: John Grimsey. Olympic Park
1984[35] Fawkner Maribyrnong Polonia 3:2 a.e.t. N.Garvey 13, P.Boyle 32, F.MacLeod 93 (Fawkner)

C.Fattore 40og, D.McCluskey 79 (Polonia)

Mike Fryszer, Richard Lipiarski, Miroslaw Smolarek, John Gardiner, Danny McCluskey, Nick Kolaric (Leszek Gregorczuk 99), Carl Gilder, Dave Gibson, George Petrov, Joe Tront, Noel Mitten. Coach: John Gardiner. Olympic Park

Top Goal Scorers[edit]

Longest Serving Players (First Team Appearances)[edit]

17 seasons[edit]

  • Peter Czapnik (1975–1991)
  • Lukasz Lewinski (1998, 2000–2008, 2010–2011, 2013–2014, 2016–2018)
  • Matthew Kowalski (2003–2016, 2018–2019, 2021)

16 seasons[edit]

  • Andrew Czapnik (1969–1977, 1980–1986)

14 seasons[edit]

  • Richard Lipiarski (1975–1977, 1979–1989)
  • Maciej Slodyczka (2005–2010, 2012–2019)

13 seasons[edit]

  • Edward Marmur (1965–1977)

12 seasons[edit]

  • Michael Olinowski (1964–1975)
  • Wojciech Galon (2001–2006, 2010, 2012–2016)
  • Charles Mizzi (2008–2019)

11 seasons[edit]

  • Ron Horfiniak (1971–1980, 1983)
  • Brendon Lakic (1978–1983, 1987–1989, 1994–1995)
  • Kamil Gamanski (1993–1998, 2001–2005)
  • Robert Chelchowski (2009–2016, 2018–2019, 2021)

10 seasons[edit]

  • Henryk Jakubowski (1951–1960)
  • Czeslaw Plaskota (1964–1973)
  • Zbigniew Szalinski (1968, 1970–1978)
  • Marian Jaworski (1971–1977, 1981–1983)
  • Leszek Dzielakowski (1978–1983, 1985–1986, 1988–1989)

9 seasons[edit]

  • Wieslaw Janczyk (1959–1961, 1963–1968)
  • Kazimierz Kowalec (1964–1972)
  • Czeslaw Plaskota (1964–1972)
  • Kacper Hubiak (2009-2016, 2024)

References[edit]

  1. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1952D3T.html" ozfootball.net
  2. ^ Doug Butcher "http://melbournesoccer.blogspot.com/p/history-documents.html?m=1" Soccer Touring Teams to Australia Results 1950–1959, page 19
  3. ^ Greg Stock and Thomas Esamie http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1964B.html
  4. ^ Mark Boric "http://melbournesoccer.blogspot.com/2013/05/not-sure-what-sgt.html?m=1" Melbourne Soccer 23 May 2013
  5. ^ "http://www.football-chaos.com/2019/01/polish-club.html?m=1" football-chaos.com 15 January 2019
  6. ^ John Punshon http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2013SD4WR.html ozfootball.net
  7. ^ David Davudovic http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/victory/thomas-deng-credits-western-eagles-polonia-with-launching-his-blossoming-career/news-story/752a54c177599a0183a2614085f7418b. Herald Sun, 2018
  8. ^ Tim Michell https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/sport/fc-strathmore-claims-gritty-playoff-win-over-western-eagles-to-earn-promotion-to-state-league-3-northwest/news-story/a94fb5c0b5dd1f612fd268d876a07c67 Herald Sun, September 26, 2016
  9. ^ Lance Jenkinson "http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/western-eagles-seal-title-with-three-to-go/".Starweekly, 20 August 2018
  10. ^ LANCE JENKINSON https://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/iosifidis-back-drivers-seat-western-eagles/ Star Weekly 2 DECEMBER 2019
  11. ^ "https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/news/metropolitan-melbourne-2021-season-status"Football Victoria, Sep 3, 2021
  12. ^ "Victorian Premier League Champions".
  13. ^ "Australia – List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  14. ^ John Punshon http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/Cup.html
  15. ^ "Victorian Pre-Season Cup Winners".
  16. ^ Harper Sercombe https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/sport/eagles-expanding-programs/ Star Weekly 16 Oct 2023
  17. ^ "Victorian Premier League Best & Fairest".
  18. ^ "Media Panels Victorian Premier League Player of the Year". www.ozfootball.net.
  19. ^ https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-GeBc7j6xA6VEVHOWlHQ19RZ2s/view Victorian Soccer Federation yearbook 1964, page 101
  20. ^ "National Premier Leagues Victoria Golden Boot".
  21. ^ Alan Garside and Greg Stock "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Socceroo/1954B.html" ozfootball.net
  22. ^ Dariusz Buchowiecki "https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/polish/en/audiotrack/new-president-western-eagles-fc" SBS Radio, 15 April 2018
  23. ^ "Western Eagles Divisional History".
  24. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1952D3T.html" Ozfootball.net
  25. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1960SLR.html" ozfootball.net
  26. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1961SLR.html" ozfootball.net
  27. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1981ML1R.html" ozfootball.net
  28. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1987SLT.html" ozfootball.net
  29. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2003P2NWR.html" ozfootball.net
  30. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/2010PD2NWR.html" ozfootball.net
  31. ^ "http://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info.cgi?c=1-8746-0-478191-0&pool=1&a=LADDER" footballfedvic.com.au
  32. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1955DockertyCup.html" ozfootball.net
  33. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1961DockertyCup.html" ozfootball.net
  34. ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1963DockertyCup.html" ozfootball.net
  35. ^ John Punshon "http://ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1984DockertyCup.html" ozfootball.net

External links[edit]

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