Springvale White Eagles
Springvale White Eagles emblem
Full nameSpringvale White Eagles Football Club
Nickname(s)Beli Orlovi, Eagles
Founded1975 (1975)
GroundSerbian Sports Centre
Capacity5000 (400 Seated)
ChairmanZivko Milovanovic
ManagerDarko Djurić
LeagueVictorian State League 1 South–East
202211th of 12 (Relegated) NPL Victoria 3
WebsiteClub website

Springvale White Eagles Football Club is a 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.

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 as Springvale United,[2] and have been known by their current name since 1995.

In 2002 White Eagles got into the State League Cup Final, losing 4–2 to Westvale.

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 the following year.[4]

In 2012 Springvale were relegated from State League 1, having finished bottom of the league with just 1 win in 22 league games. −[5] They took out the State League 2 South-East title the following season, pipping Dandenong City SC by one point.[6]

National Premier Leagues Victoria (2014–present)

The club entered the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 division for the 2014 season, the new second tier of soccer in Victoria. The club finished the season in 12th place in the 14 team league, just avoiding the relegation playoffs.[7]

In 2015, the NPL 2 was split into an East and West division with the White Eagles competing in the East division, finishing in nineteenth place overall in the NPL1 league system.[8] Late in October 2015, head manager Zlatko Mihajlović resigned from his position.[9] Shortly after, Mihajlović was replaced by Boyan Mitkov as the new senior head coach.[10] Springvale then lost key player Šimo Jovanović to Kingston City. 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 Mitkov and his assistant Gus Caminos (who were winless in their first seven league games in the NPL2 season) had resigned from their positions, with former White Eagles player Nik Kovacevic announced as the replacement.[12] Springvale subsequently 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]

For the 2018 season, Springvale reappointed former club coach Nik Kovacevic to lead the team, and had a total of 7 key signings in the off-season. This included the experienced central defensive partnership of Pavle Durkic (formerly at Whittlesea Ranges FC) and Milos Tošić (formerly at West Adelaide SC). Also adding to the squad were Andy Kecojević, Marcus Dimanche, Delarno Pharoe, Slaven Vranešević and Englishmen Luke Barrow. With the mid-season loss of Captain Dejan Erakovic the Eagles brought in other key signings to its squad, including Bonel Obradović, Nemanja Lojanica and 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.

In 2019 the club finished in last place, with just four wins in 28 games, and were relegated to NPL3 for the 2020 season.[18] Head coach Nebojsa Vukosavljevic resigned after the club's relegation, with Springvale appointing former Socceroo John Markovski for the 2020 NPL3 campaign.

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 (x8) 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2023 (x5) 2000, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2022

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

Notable current and former international players

Individual awards

Bill Fleming Medal – Media voted VPL Player of the Year

  • 1999 – Zlatko Mihajlović

Club Top Goal Scorers

  • 2023 - Nashir Hussainy - 6
  • 2022 - Nashir Hussainy - 12
  • 2021 - Andy Kecojevic - 5
  • 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 – 15
  • 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

Rivalries

Dandenong Thunder

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

On 11 February 2017 The White Eagles hosted The Thunder in the Second Round of the 2017 National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. In front of a healthy contingent of local fans, the White Eagles got off to a 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 losing 4–0.

Melbourne Knights

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

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

North Sunshine Eagles

The teams were first met on 16 April 2021 in National Premier Leagues Victoria 3 competition.

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 Australia AUS George Tzamouranis
3 DF Australia AUS Nenad Nikolić
4 DF Australia AUS Stefan Karac
5 DF Australia AUS Nemanja Lojanica
6 DF Australia AUS Thomas Podaridis
7 MF Australia AUS Brady Quinn
8 FW Australia AUS Alexandar Vranešević
9 FW Australia AUS Miloš Lujić
10 FW Australia AUS Nashir Hussainy
11 FW Australia AUS Alex Kubenko
12 GK Australia AUS Shah Zahidi
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Australia AUS Gervais Nkondogoro
16 DF Australia AUS Ohisa Paulino
17 DF Australia AUS Slavko Grujić
19 DF Australia AUS George Latsis
20 MF Australia AUS Desire Nkondogoro
23 MF Australia AUS Andy Kecojević (Captain)
24 MF Australia AUS Godwill Benjamin
25 MF Australia AUS Joseph Manual
48 DF Australia AUS Adrian Sekulovski

Squad correct at 9 May 2022.

Competition timeline

Season League Top scorer Dockerty Cup
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 Eric Styczen9Runner up
2003 SL2SE22104834322345th Ricky Diaco12
2004 SL2SE2248102545−202010th Zlatko Mihaljović9
2005 SL2221444502525461st Sastre Teyedor Juan11
2006 SL122116530228392nd Nikolaos Papadopoulos11
2007 VPL2612231777−60516th Goran Zorić5No cup
2008 SL12256112538−13219th Grujo Mrdić7
2009 SL12245133141−101710th Zoran Vukas6
2010 SL1221237453411392nd Nenad Pavasovic8
2011 VPL2436152462381511th Goran Zoric8Quarter final
2012 SL12215161969−49812th Philip Ajao5Zone final
2013 SL222135433249441st Stephane Leblond144th round
2014 NPL 22673164463192412th Vojislav Milojević116th round
2015 NPL 2284519245430179th Hernan de Rito65th round
2016 NPL 228124125243+9406th Damir Stoilovic164th round
2017 NPL 22810414445814327th Damir Stoilovic104th round
2018 NPL 2281161141476394th Damir Stoilovic94th round
2019 NPL 2 28 4 7 17 26 70 −44 19 10th Taban Makoii 7 2nd round
2020 NPL 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia
2021 NPL 3 14 2 3 9 19 37 −18 9 Cancelled Andrija Kecojevic 5 Cancelled
2022 NPL3 22 6 1 15 35 60 -25 18 11th Nashir Hussainy 12
2023 SL1 22 4 5 13 17 35 -18 17 10th Nashir Hussainy 6

Managerial history

  • Scotland Gus MacLeod (1987–1996)
  • Serbia Dušan Kalezić (1997–1998)
  • Scotland John Gardiner (1998)
  • Serbia Miloš Nasić (1999)
  • Australia Bobby McLaughlin (1999)
  • North Macedonia Zoran Trajčevski (2006–2007)
  • Serbia Vlado Zorić (2007)
  • Greece/Australia Leon Gardikiotis (2007)
  • Australia James Sid (2007)
  • England Stan Webster (2008)
  • Serbia/Australia Zlatko Mihajlović (2008–2011)
  • Serbia/Australia Bojo Jevdjevic (2012)
  • Serbia/Australia Zlatko Mihajlović (2013–2015)
  • North Macedonia/Australia Boyan Mitkov (2015–2016)
  • Serbia/Australia Nik Kovačević (2016)
  • North Macedonia/Australia Vlado Tortevski (2017)
  • Serbia/Australia Nik Kovačević (2018–2019)
  • Serbia/Australia Nebojša Vukosavljević (2019)
  • North Macedonia/Australia John Markovski (2020)
  • Armenia/Australia Artour Kirichian (2021–2022)
  • Serbia/Australia Darko Djurić (2022-2023)

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". 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. ↑ "Summary - State Leagues - Australia - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
  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 Men". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
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