Wollongong United FC
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| Full name | Wollongong United Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Lions, United, WUFC | ||
| Founded | 1976 | ||
| Ground | Macedonia Park | ||
| Capacity | 10,000 | ||
| Chairman | Peter Vrtkovski | ||
| Manager | Oliver Vrtkovski | ||
| Website | http://wufc.com.au/ | ||
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Wollongong United FC is an Australian soccer club based in Wollongong, currently participating in the Illawarra Premier League. The club played in the 1991 season of the National Soccer League under the name Wollongong Macedonia, where it finished last.
History
Formed in 1976 by the "Macedonian Orthodox Community of Wollongong", the club was originally established on behalf of the Macedonian Australian community of Wollongong. With a huge supporter base, the club was originally known as Wollongong United Soccer Club. Since then it has also been known as Wollongong Macedonia, as represented in the National Soccer League (NSL) 1990.
Upon entering the Premier League in the Illawarra Second division, the club quickly advanced in 1980 to enter the NSW Second division, finishing second at season end on its first attempt.
In 1986, the club reached the top competition in NSW Division 1, now called Super League. In 1989, the Wollongong United F.C completed the season undefeated, to this day, the only club in NSW to do so. This success led the club to the pinnacle of Australian soccer, playing in the NSL.
1991–2004
Between 1991 and 2004, the club played in the NSW State League with a strong, consistent representation in both junior and senior ranks.
In 2004 the club evaluated its position and it was deemed, in the best interests of the club, its members, supporters and sponsors to return to the local Illawarra Football Association. In 2005, the club competed in the IFA First Division with an aim to return to the IFA Premier League. Wollongong United finished second and gained promotion into the Premier League for the 2006 season. It is still in the Premier league.
Notable former players
Mile Sterjovski – Australian international- Marshall Soper – Australian international
- Stephen Laybutt – Australian international
- Scott Chipperfield – Australian international
Michael Reda – Lebanon international
Zlatko Nastevski – Australian international
Greg Brown – New Zealand international
External links
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