APIA Leichhardt FC

Last updated

APIA Leichhardt
APAI FC logo.png
Full nameAPIA Leichhardt Football Club
Nickname(s)The Tigers, Marronazzuri
Founded1954 (as APIA Leichhardt)
Ground Lambert Park / Leichhardt Oval
Capacity5,000 / 22,000
PresidentTony Raciti
Coach Franco Parisi
League NPL NSW
2023 1st of 16
(Premiers & Champions)
Website Club website

APIA Leichhardt Football Club, also known simply as APIA (Associazione Poli-sportiva Italo Australiana), is a semi-professional soccer club based in the suburb of Leichhardt in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954 as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians. APIA, winner of the national Australian championship of 1987, is currently a member of the NPL NSW. APIA Leichhardt are one of just three winners of the 1960s Australia Cup that are still active, the other being Caroline Springs George Cross FC and Hakoah Sydney City East FC.

Contents

History

The club was founded as the Associazione Poli-sportiva Italo Australiana ("APIA") in 1954 by members of the Italian-Australian community in Sydney's Inner West. After several years in the Canterbury District competition, the club joined the NSW Federation's state league. [1]

In the 1960s APIA became one of the foremost soccer clubs in Australia and won the Premiership of NSW of the years 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1975, which was the highest level of achievement in the absence of a national competition. Between 1966 and 1974 APIA also won three times the State Cup of NSW, then named after a sponsor Ampol Cup. The 1974 final was considered "one of the most incredible finals" of the history of the club when skipper Jimmy Rooney and centreforward Peter Ollerton, who scored five goals, won 9–1 against Auburn in front of a crowd of 5210 at Wentworth Park, the highest finals result ever. [2]

Rooney and Ollerton were also in the team that represented Australia a few months later in its first World Cup participation in Germany.

In 1979 APIA was given access to the National Soccer League, the top tier of Australian soccer since 1977. In 1987 APIA won the national championship, six points ahead of the Preston Makedonia Soccer Club from Melbourne, with then only two points awarded per win. The coach in that season was Rale Rasic. Charlie Yankos and Peter Katholos are probably the best known players from that side. The main cast of that year consisted of Tony Pezzano; Charlie Yankos, Arno Bertogna, Mark Brown, Jean-Paul de Marigny, Peter Tredinnick, Peter Katholos, Edward Lorens, Hilton Phillips, Gary Ward, Rod Brown and Tony Parison. In 1988 APIA won the National Soccer League Cup. By 1992 the APIA Leichhardt was overwhelmed by financial difficulties. The club was somewhat restructured and forthwith played on state level with the moniker "Tigers." [3] [4] [5]

In 2017, APIA won the National Premier Leagues NSW premiership, but lost the grand final to Manly United FC on penalties. APIA also made the grand final of the 2017 Waratah Cup, but lost 3–1 to Hakoah Sydney City East FC.

In 2018, APIA won the 2018 Waratah Cup. [6] On 21 August 2018, APIA defeated reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory FC in the Round of 16 of the 2018 FFA Cup, becoming the seventh state-league side to beat a top-tier team in the knockout tournament. [7] The result was billed as one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history. [8]

APIA won the National Premier Leagues NSW Grand Final with a 2–1 victory over Sydney United in 2019. [9] This was the first final ever played at Bankwest Stadium.

When the Football Federation Australia repealed its controversial National Club Identification Policy, which effectively banned clubs from having ethnic identities APIA dropped the "Tigers" moniker and reverted to its original badge. [10]

The club was announced on 20 November 2023, as one of the eight foundation teams for the National Second Division, due to start either March or April 2025. They will continue to play in the NPL NSW for the 2024 season, before transitioning to the new league. [11]

Venues

Lambert Park under floodlights with the old turf surface Lambert Park, Leichhardt.jpg
Lambert Park under floodlights with the old turf surface

Lambert Park in Leichhardt is the club's traditional home ground. It was opened in 1954 and has, over the years, been used for most of the club's home games. It is still APIA's main ground and hosts all of the club's NPL matches. APIA has also hosted home games at a number of other venues, including Wentworth Park, Henson Park [12] and, most notably, Leichhardt Oval, where Australia Cup ties against high-profile teams have typically been hosted. [13] [14]

Current squad

Updated February 2024. [15] [16] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Anthony Bouzanis
2 DF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Seiya Kambayashi
4 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Joshua Symons
6 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Anthony Sparacino
7 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jack Stewart
8 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Nick Sullivan
9 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Ben Gibson
11 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Rory Jordan
12 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Sebastian Boffa
13 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jared Macerola
14 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jack Armson
15 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Themba Muata-Marlow
No.Pos.NationPlayer
16 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Sean Symons
17 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Jordan Segreto
18 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Adrian Ucchino
19 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Lui Di Triola
20 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Alex Parkes
21 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Michael Kouta
22 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Eddie Caspers
23 MF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Dakota Askew
27 GK Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Evan Davis
30 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Alex Denmead
41 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Nick Azzone

Seasons

SeasonLeague Waratah
Cup 		Australia
Cup [lower-alpha 1] 		OtherTop scorer
DivPWDLFAPtsPosFinalsPlayer(s)Goals
1957 Div. 1 2034133957109th– QF 2R AMP
1958Div. 12274114141188th–
1959Div. 12619437233422ndRU
1960Div. 12618537125412ndSF
1961Div. 12210485543246th––
1962Div. 12213366538293rdSFW QF
1963Div. 12214357037312ndRU QF
1964Div. 12214355935311stW RU John Watkiss24
1965Div. 11811075128223rdW RU John Giacometti21
1966Div. 11813415516301stRUW W WAMPJohn Giacometti20
1967Div. 12217326519371stRU RU John Giacometti22
1968Div. 12211474225293rdGSR16
1969Div. 1229853526264thW3rdAMP
1970Div. 12291123635197th–WAMP
1971Div. 12265112540178th–4thAMP
1972Div. 12211833318303rdSFUnkAMP
1973Div. 12210663834265th–
1974Div. 12212464425282ndPFWAMPPaul Ollerton18
1975Div. 12213543919311stRUWPaul Ollerton17
1976Div. 12215524917352ndW
1977Div. 12215614615362ndPF
1978Div. 12613310364296th– 1R
1979 NSL 26113122937258thN/A R16 Ken Reed7
1980 NSL 2687112735238thN/A R16 Phil O’Connor10
1981 NSL 30121173933354thN/A QF Marshall Soper12
1982 NSL 30127114954317thN/A W Marshall Soper14
1983 NSL 30116134236398thN/A R16 John Bradley12
1984 NSL/NC [lower-alpha 2] 2812884335324thPF SF Peter Katholos14
1985 NSL/NC [lower-alpha 2] 2272132034169th– R16 Peter Katholos14
1986 NSL/NC [lower-alpha 2] 229672523247th– R32 Terry Butler4
1987 NSL 2413923921351stW R16 Rod Brown14
1988 NSL 26871128352311th– W Hilton Phillips8
1989 NSL26791027352310th– SF Rod Brown7
1989–90 NSL 2611963625316th– SF Rod Brown10
1990–91 NSL 26771227282111th– SF Alex Bundalo6
1991–92 NSL 2671182628258th– R16 John Gibson8
1993NSWSL P 26106+283923446th–
1994NSWSL P 2273+752019348th–
1995NSWSL P 26104+572923434th–
1996NSWSL1137332014243rd–
NSWSL2134541922178th
1997NSWSL2012352717392ndPFJohn Buonavoglia6
1998NSWSL218673232308th–John Buonavoglia11
1999 NSWSL 2211294337357th–Steve Karavatakis10
2000 NSWSL 2614665339483rdPFSteve Karavatakis14
2000–01 NSWPL 188284136265th–Steve Karavatakis16
2001–02 NSWPL 2212554029414thEFSteve Karavatakis12
2002–03 NSWPL 2211744425402ndWNot held Zlatko Arambasic 17
2003–04 NSWPL 2273122436249th–SFNorman Tome6
2004–05 NSWPL 229492529316th–SFNorman Tome4
2006 NSWPL 18341116381310th–RUShane McGirr3
2007 NSWPL 188462623285th–4R Robert Younis 9
2008 NSWPL 229764135346th–QF Robert Younis 21
2009 NSWPL 22571030382211th–4R Robert Younis 11
2010 NSWPL 2213373937393rd SF 4R Robert Younis 14
2011 NSWPL 22651124362310th— QF Robert Younis 5 [17]
2012 NSWPL 229493231316th— RU Andrew Bevin7 [18]
2013 NPL NSW 22281229481411th— W Nikola Taneski7
2014 NPL NSW 22481031512011th– 4R DNQ Blake Powell 9 [19]
2015 NPL NSW 2213635631452ndPF 4R DNQ Blake Powell 21
2016 NPL NSW 2275113941268th– 6R DNQ Tasuku Sekiya 11
2017 NPL NSW 2216155018491stRU RU R16 SF NPLF Jordan Murray 12
2018 NPL NSW 2214356228452ndRU W QF Jordan Murray 24
2019 NPL NSW 2212644228422ndW 6R DNQ Chris Payne 22
2020 NPL NSW 112181227712th—Not heldNot heldSean Symons4
2021 NPL NSW 17638202121season cancelled QF Franco Parisi 5
2022 NPL NSW 2210574133355thSF4RDNQJason Romero11
2023 NPL NSW 3020556435651stNot held RU R16 J. Armson - J. Stewart -14
2024 NPL NSW 13913422028

Correct as of 6th May 2024

Source OzFootball

SeasonLeague Sapphire Cup Top scorer
DivPWDLFAPtsPosFinalsPlayer(s)Goals
2024NPL1 NSW Women10532251618
2023NPL1 NSW Women2619526426621stPF W Ash Crofts24
2022NPL1 NSW Women2212464825402ndPF-Shea Connors16
2021NPL1 NSW Women126422316224thPF-Lisa Devanna5
2020NPL1 NSW Women115242017178th--Georia Yeoman-Dale5
2019NPL2 NSW Women22174110517551stRU-Ash Palombi33
2018NPL2 NSW Women2213455933434thSF-Ash Palombi17
2017NSW State League Women1814318314451stRU-
2016NSW State League Women2114345617451stRU-
2015NSW State League Women2182113149266th--
2014NSW State League Women202018259267th--
2013NSW State League Women22341521701311th--
2012NSW Women’s Super League182313235597th--
2011NSW Women’s Super League1816026914481stW-
2010NSW Women’s Super League168533922294thRU-

Correct as of 8th May 2024

Honours

Regional

National

Individual Honours

National

Regional

Notes

  1. ↑ FFA Cup/Australia Cup (from 2014). Includes Australia Cup (1962–1968) and NSL Cup (1977–1997)
  2. 1 2 3 During 1984 to 1986, the league was split into two conferences – APIA played in the Northern Conference and the position in the table reflects position in the conference.

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References

  1. ↑ "History". APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Mossop, Brian (11 March 1974). "Soccer with everything... Apia win 9–1". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015– via Google News Archive.
  3. ↑ Cockerill, Michael (16 April 1992). "Liquidator takes over troubled Apia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Cockerill, Michael (25 September 1992). "Apia plan legal tilt for NSL re-entry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Cooke, Graham (18 December 1992). "Soccer World – Coaching clinic a must for youngsters". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 February 2015– via Trove. FORMER NATIONAL League giant Apia Leichhardt will resumeits interrupted career, reincarnated as the Leichhardt Tigers in the NSW Superleague.
  6. ↑ "APIA clinch Cup crown in NSW ahead of FFA Cup Round of 32". FFA Cup. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Sekiya stars as APIA Leichhardt stun Victory in FFA Cup | The World Game". The World Game. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "We didn't show up: Victory rue shock FFA Cup exit". NewsComAu. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  9. ↑ NSW, Football (31 August 2019). "Championship finally comes home to APIA Leichhardt Tigers". NPL NSW Men's. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  10. ↑ Historic NPL club APIA goes back to its roots with major re-brand , SBS, 2019-12-12
  11. ↑ "Football Australia announces foundation clubs for National Second Tier". Football Australia. 20 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "Tigers eye historic win". The Village Voice. 29 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "APIA Leichhardt FC v Melbourne Victory - Australia Cup Match Centre". www.australiacup.com.au. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "WATCH: Mariners hit APIA for six to reach Semi Finals | Australia Cup". www.australiacup.com.au. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  15. ↑ "Men's First Grade". Football NSW. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "Statistics for APIA Leichhardt FC playing in 1st - NPL NSW Men's 2021". mygameday. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  17. ↑ "2011 NSWPL goalscorers". SoccerAust. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  18. ↑ "2012 NSWPL goalscorers". SoccerAust. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  19. ↑ "2014 NSW NPL1 Leading Scorers". SoccerAust. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
Preceded by NSL Champions
1987		Succeeded by
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