Springvale White Eagles FC

Springvale White Eagles Football Club is an semi-professional Australian soccer club based in Melbourne, Victoria currently playing in the NPL Victoria 3. Founded by Serbian Australians, they play at the Serbian Sports Centre in Keysborough, Victoria.

Springvale White Eagles
Full nameSpringvale White Eagles Football Club
Nickname(s)Beli Orlovi, Eagles
Short nameSWE
Founded1975
GroundSerbian Sports Centre
ChairmanDalibor Saula
ManagerArtour Kirichian
LeagueNPL Victoria 3
201910th in NPL 2 East
WebsiteClub website

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

History

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

In 2002 White Eagles got into the State League Cup Final where they lost 4–2 to Westvale. The first half was 1–1 draw with White Eagles Ricky Diaco scoring the first goal from a penalty kick in the 21st minute. The second half saw Westvale scoring 3 more goals giving them a 4–1 lead. Eric Styczen scored a goal for White Eagles in the 91st minute to make the score 4–2.

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 2011 after a terrible season.[4]

In 2012, SWE were relegated from State League 1 after a disastrous season, finishing bottom of the league with just 1 win in 22 league games. −[5] The White Eagles bounced straight back, though, and took out the State League 2 South-East title in 2013, pipping Dandenong City SC by one point.[6]

National Premier Leagues Victoria (2014-Present)

The club was accepted into the National Premier Leagues Victoria in late 2013 and was placed in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 division for the 2014 season, essentially the new second tier of soccer in Victoria. The club finished the season in 12th place in the 14 team league, avoiding relegation under no relegation – promotion between the NPL and State Leagues below.[7]

In 2015, the NPL 2 was split into an East and West division with the White Eagles competing in the East division in the 2015 season. Springvale endured a tough campaign, winning just four games all year, finishing in 9th place in the East division and 19th place overall in the NPL1 league system.[8] Late in October 2015, head manager Zlatko Mihajlović resigned from his position, citing poor club finances and lack of ambition as the main reasons behind his decision to depart the club. Mihajlović, a former player and 1999 Bill Fleming medallist, revealed that the club the club were at a bad place and needed rebuilding. [9]

On 26 November 2015, they announced Boyan Mitkov as the new senior head coach.[10] Mitkov was previously the u20s manager at the nearby Dandenong Thunder. Springvale lost key player Šimo Jovanović to Kingston City in a big blow to new manager Mitkov. 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 senior head coach Boyan Mitkov and his assistant Gus Caminos had resigned from their positions seven rounds into the NPL2 season. Pascoe Vale FC U20s manager and former White Eagles player Nik Kovacevic were announced as the replacement. Mitkov departed with Springvale winless in their first seven league games.[12] Kovacevic's reign began with an incredible turn of form, the club managing five consecutive wins, propelling itself up the league ladder. Springvale 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]

The following 2018 season, Springvale reappointed former club coach Nik Kovacevic to lead the eagles for the 2018 NPL Competition. Player movements at Eagles Stadium were large with big name signings coming to Melbourne’s South East adding to a talented squad at the helm. With a total of 7 key signings in the off-season Kovačevič’s men had no easy task of securing a starting 11 birth. With the arrival of the experienced central defensive partnership of former Whittlesea Ranges FC Pavle Durkic & Former West Adelaide SC Milos Tošić. Also adding to the list, former South Melbourne FC & Melbourne City FC Youth prospect Andy Kecojević being a vital signing for the Eagles. Alongside Kecojevic, Springvale also brought in young gun Melbourne City FC Youth product Marcus Dimanche , Delarno Pharoe & Slaven Vranešević. Not short of forwards The Eagles secured the services of Englishmen Luke Barrow whom was a former teammate to former Eagle John Pykett at Aylesbury United F.C. With an mid season loss of Captain Dejan Erakovic the Eagles brought in 3 key signings to its high profile squad with former Oakleigh Cannon FC Bonel Obradović. Also adding to the list was former Kingston City FC Nemanja Lojanica & former Melbourne City FC Youth player 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. The eagles were in high contention for the title after an upset 1-0 win at home against league leaders Dandenong City SC perusing into second position on the ladder. Following an away defeat to the hands of a high flying Eastern Lions SC who scored seven goals in their past two league fixtures the Eagles lost their third spot finish. [18]

In 2019, with a league re-structure meaning only the top six would remain in NPL2 in 2020, the club decided to take a youth-based approach. A season of struggle ensued and the Keysborough-based club finished in bottom place, with just four wins in 28 games. The club was relegated to NPL3 for 2020.[19]

Nebojsa Vukosavljevic, the club's head coach for the 2019 season, resigned after the relegation and Springvale appointed former Socceroo John Markovski for the 2020 NPL3 campaign.

Divisional History

2020- NPL Victoria 3
2014–2019 NPL Victoria 2
2013 Victorian State League Division 2 South-East
2012 Victorian State League Division 1
2011 Victorian Premier League
2008–2010 Victorian State League Division 1
2007 Victorian Premier League
2006 Victorian State League Division 1
2003–2005 Victorian State League Division 2 Sth-East
2000–2002 Victorian State League Division 1
1997–1999 Victorian Premier League
1996 Victorian State League Division 1
1993–1995 Victorian State League Division 2
1985–1992 Victorian State League Division 3
1984 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 4
1981–1983 Victorian District League Division 3
1975–1980 Amateur League

Achievements

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 (x5) 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2019 (x2) 2000, 2006,

Victorian Premier League

  • 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

Club Top Goal Scorers

  • 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 – 14
  • 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

International players

Bosnia and Herzegovina National Football Team

South Sudan National Football Team

Australia National Football Team

Australia Under 23’s

Australia Under 20’s

Australia Under 17’s

  • Miloš Lujić
  • Zlatko Mihajlović
  • Bonel Obradović

Individual awards

Bill Fleming Medal  Media voted VPL Player of the Year

  • 1999 Zlatko Mihajlović

Rivalries

Dandenong Thunder S.C.

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

On the 11th of February, 2017 The White Eagles hosted The Thunder in the Second Round of the 2017 National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. Infront of healthy contingent of local fans, the White Eagles got off to an 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 loosing 4-0.

Head-to-Head

  • Games: 7
  • White Eagles wins: 1
  • Thunder wins: 6
  • Draws: 0
  • White Eagles goals: 7
  • Thunder goals: 23

Melbourne Knights

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

Head-to-Head

  • Games: 4
  • White Eagles wins: 0
  • Knights wins: 3
  • Draws: 1
  • White Eagles goals: 3
  • Knights goals: 12

St Albans Saints

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 the 12th of May 2019 in the NPL 2 season the eagles travelled to Churchill Reserve & took all three points back to White Eagles Stadium in an 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.

Head-to-Head VPL and VIC Division 1 (from 2011 to present)[20]

  • Games: 8
  • White Eagles wins: 2
  • St Albans wins: 4
  • Draws: 2
  • White Eagles goals: 11
  • St Albans goals: 16

Stadium

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

Current squad

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  AUS Branko Skočić
2 DF  AUS Ethan Rosemond
3 DF  AUS Nenad Nikolić
4 DF  AUS Steven Jansz
5 DF  AUS Anthony Del Medico
7 MF  AUS Brady Quinn
8 MF  AUS Nikita Cicmil
9 FW  AUS Stefan Cicmil
10 MF  AUS Milan Jovanović (Vice-Captain)
11 FW  AUS Isaiah Joseph
12 GK  AUS Chris Kaev
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW  AUS Petar Vukotić
15 DF  MRI Nick Ally
17 FW  AUS Slavko Grujić
18 FW  AUS Alex Kubenko
19 FW  AUS Vojislav Milojević
20 DF  AUS Scott Millar
22 DF  AUS Marcus Holmes
23 MF  AUS Andy Kecojević (Captain)
26 MF  AUS Kristian Sekulovski
88 MF  AUS Slaven Vranesević

Squad correct at February 2020.

Competition timeline

Season League Cup Top scorer
Division Pld W D L GF GA +/- Pts Position Player(s) Goals
1982 Div4262015752352432nd
1983 Div3262321952174481st Runner up
1984 Div4261655613427372nd
1985 Div3261457543717335th
1986 Div3261041259518249th
1987 Div32411494045-5264th
1988 Div3261439624022316th
1989 Div32668123166-252011th
1990 Div32674152858-301812th
1991 Div32678112536-113111th Ian Kerezovic9
1992 Div3281900672344471st Zlatko Mihaljović12
1993 Div2261655471730373rd Zlatko Mihaljović11
1994 Div226117841329295th Zlatko Mihaljović7
1995 Div2261853562927591st Micheal Michalakopoulos14
1996 Div1261745562729551st Zlatko Mihaljović16
1997 VPL26118743376416th Danny Gnjidić14
1998 VPL2686122742-153011th Sasha Nikolić4
1999 VPL2686123740-33011th Zlatko Mihaljović10
2000 Div12264122636-10229th Eric Styczen6
2001 Div1228682737-10308th Nebojsa Kozlica6
2002 Div12255123457-232011th Runner upEric Styczen9
2003 SL2SE22104834322345th Ricky Diaco12
2004 SL2SE2248102545-202010th Zlatko Mihaljović9
2005 SL2221444502525461st Sastre Teyedor Juan11
2006 SL122116530228392nd Nikolaos Papadopoulos11
2007 VPL2612231777-60516th No CupGoran Zorić5
2008 SL12256112538-13219th No CupGrujo Mrdić7
2009 SL12245133141-101710th No CupZoran Vukas6
2010 SL1221237453411392nd No CupNenad Pavasovic8
2011 VPL2436152462381511th Quarter FinalGoran Zoric8
2012 SL12215161969-49812th Zone Final
2013 SL222135433249441st 4th roundStephane Leblond14
2014 NPL 22673164463192412th 6th roundVojislav Milojević11
2015 NPL 2284519245430179th 5th roundHernan de Rito6
2016 NPL 228124125243+9406th 4th roundDamir Stoilovic16
2017 NPL 22810414445814327th 4th roundDamir Stoilovic10
2018 NPL 2281161141476394th 4th roundDamir Stoilovic9
2019 NPL 2 28 4 7 17 26 70 -44 19 10th 2nd Round Taban Makoii 7
2020 NPL 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cancelled due to COVID-19 Cancelled due to COVID-19

References

  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
  3. "Springvale coach Gardikiotis resigns". 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. https://int.soccerway.com/national/australia/state-leagues/2016/victoria/r34811/
  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". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  19. "Ladder for NPL2 East VIC Men". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  20. http://www.ozfootball.net

Managerial history

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