1969 Articles

In its first year of Amateur League, the Greek Orthodox Football Club was allocated to the A4 Division. A new era in the history of the Greek Football Club had begun.

A big effort was put into all facets of the running of the Club under President Emanuel Bambacas and his Committee. They worked tirelessly throughout the summer months to ensure that the season would be a success.

Trevor Barker was reappointed Coach but the Club failed in several attempts to have him whitewashed (i.e. a clearance to play Amateur League).  The A Grade Captain was Bill Retsas and Tom Melios was appointed Captain of the B’s.

On the 12th April the Greeks played their first Amateur League game against Westminster Old Scholars at home but lost the game 11-7 (73) to 8-14 (62). The B Grade won 4-4 (28) to 3-8 (26). The first A Grade game the Club won was against Ethelton 16-12 (108) to 6-7 (42). 

The A Grade finished the minor round in third position, having won 14 games and losing 6.  The B Grade finished 7th with 9 wins and 11 losses. In the A Grade Flinders University won the first semi final against the Greeks at Broadview 8-7 (55) to 5-5 (35).

1969 saw John Carrangis win the A’s Best and Fairest and John Svigos won the Best and Fairest in the B Grade. Overall, the G.F.C’s debut in Amateur League was reasonably successful and the Club looked to 1970 with optimism.  One interesting similarity with the United Church League was the continuing verbal abuse from the oppositions players and supporters about the Clubs ethnic background.

“A NEW ERA”

Thanks to President Emanuel Bambacas and his Committee’s foresight during the season in 1968 to enable us to play in a higher League, they secured Weigall Oval at Kurralta Park as our new home ground.

Whereas the Oval was turfed and kept in good condition the same could not be said about the facilities. 

The change shed although large compared to what we had in the South Parklands was not in very good condition (approximately 50 years old). Cold showers were the order of the day and more often than not it was a common sight to see players drive off in their togs to shower at home.

The toilets left a lot to be desired and would not have passed a health inspection today.

FOOTNOTE: 

Being a part of the Amateur League was healthy for the Club attracting many new players from the area and many of whom became stalwarts of the Club.