1968 Articles
After winning the 1967 Premiership, Keith Davis did not re-apply for the Coaching position but stayed on as a player.
President Emanuel Bambacas advertised for a Coach for the 1968 season.
Trevor Barker was the successful applicant with his record of over 150 league games with West Adelaide and State representation making him the obvious choice. Barker was a strict disciplinarian with a philosophy of “no training no playing”.
The Clubs uniform was changed to a navy blue lace-up guernsey with a white monogram (G.O.F.C.) on the top left side. The team’s appearance had been upgraded and now looked more professional.
Trevor Barker’s strict guidelines produced excellent results throughout the season. The A’s only lost 2 games during the year and together with the B team finished Minor Premiers.
The Greeks met Ovingham Methodist in the A Grade second semi final on the 6th September and only inaccurate kicking in front of goals prevented them winning by a bigger margin.
The final scores were 17-21 (123) to 6-5 (41).
Goal scorers were I (Lucky) Hatjiathanasiou 4, T Barker 3, J Carrangis 2, K Davis 2, J Cori 2, E Bambacas 1, B Retsas 1, O Nimanis 1, J Seager 1.
The B Grade also went on to defeat Ovingham Methodist 14-14 (98) to 3-8 (26) in a one-sided affair.
This meant that the Greeks had both sides in their respective Grand Finals. Ironically, the United Church Football League did not program for our B team to play their Grand Final as a curtain raiser to our A team instead (and stupidly) had them play at Railways Oval as a curtain raiser to the A2 Grand Final. Never the less the B’s went on and won their Grand Final defeating Brighton Methodist 6-12 (48) to 1-3 (9).
The goal scorers were N Karasoulis 4, R Flavel 2.
Sadly celebrations after the game were shortened so that B Grade players (many still in their playing uniform - boots and all) and supporters could quickly motor down to Richmond Oval with the good news and to support the A team.
With the B team’s success, the onus was now on the A grade to clinch the double and they didn’t let the Club down. They convincingly beat Brighton Methodist 13-7 (85) to 7-3 (45).
Goal kickers were K Davis 3, J Seager 2, O Nimanis 2, J Cori 2, J Carrangis 2, T Barker 2.
This was the first time the A and B teams had won Premierships in the same year since 1964.
Ilias (Lucky) Hatjiathanasiou won the A Grade Best and Fairest.
During the year full forward, John Cori, set a new Club goal kicking record of 11 goals in a match.
Unbeknown to many Members, the Club had made applications through the year to be affiliated with the S.A.A.F.L. in 1969. The two main requirements were that the GFC should have a turfed ground and adequate change rooms. To achieve these requirements the Club moved to Weigall Oval at Kurralta Park and was accepted into Amateur League.
This move ended the Club’s successful eight year association with the United Church Football League having played in 5 A Grade Grand Finals, winning 4 and the B Grade played 4 Grand Finals and won 2.
A lot of opposition Clubs were happy to see the last of the Greek Orthodox Football Club in the Church League.
SO, THIS IS GOODBYE U.C.F.L. AND HERE WE COME S.A.A.F.L.!!!
