As Morwell Falcons, the club achieved lasting national fame by achieving the rare feat of promotion to Tier 1 status in the Australian National Soccer League from what is described now as the Tier 10 Latrobe Valley Soccer League, via promotions in the Australian Association Football pyramid between 1973 and 1992, when promotion to the highest tier was available.
The deal to rename the club was done as part of a promotion for the new Ford Falcon, of which Ford Australia had just launched its first ever model, the XK.[2]
The club participated in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League between 1961 and 1973. Then the Victorian State League Football System at all levels between 1974 and 1992. Morwell Falcons were admitted to the National Soccer League in 1992-93 where it competed until folding after relegation in 2000–01. It was re-established as Falcons 2000 SC Inc in 2001. Since its inception the club has played under multiple names. Including Morwell Falcons, then Gippsland Falcons SC, before folding under the name Eastern Pride in 2001. The club bears its present name Falcons 2000 after its financial re-establishment
The Falcons were one of the most successful clubs in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia. Gippsland is all of South-East Victoria (approximately the same size as Switzerland), and includes most of around 100 islands in the region and Bass Strait. Morwell Falcons were Champions of the Victorian State League on two occasions, winning the State League Championship and League Finals Cup double in 1984 and 1989, and the Statewide Dockerty Cup in 1994.
Morwell Falcons were the only club based in regional Victoria to have participated at National Soccer League level before the NSL disbanded in 2003–04. The NSL was replaced with the A-League Men in 2005–06, making the new Tier 1 exclusively for licensed teams only, with no promotion and relegation.
Morwell Falcons major difficulty was the location of Latrobe City Stadium at Crinigan Road, Morwell. The stadium itself was too far distant from Morwell Train Station for any serious attendance by public transport users who would have walked to the stadium from the train station. The club attracted competitive and sustainable attendances relatively speaking compared to other clubs, and had a large local following when in the National Soccer League via people watching the Australian National television coverage, including highlights and live games, on SBS. The club was also featured in the sports sections of the local newspapers. That included the Latrobe Valley Express, delivered free to every household in the Latrobe City Council area (where applicable).
Current senior squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The Falcons were an instant success in the 7th Tier Victorian Provisional League, winning two consecutive Championships in 1974[3] and 1975,[4] making it 4 championships in 5 seasons. The team was finally promoted to the Tier 6 Victorian Metropolitan Soccer League Division 4 after a runner-up finish in its third season in the Victorian Provisional League in 1976.[5]
Morwell Falcons were promoted in the Victorian State League part of the "Pyramid" 5 times in 6 years between 1976 and 1981. The Falcons first 4 seasons (of 5) in the Victorian Metropolitan Football League system produced a worst season finish of 3rd. The Falcons progressed from the Tier 6 Victorian Metropolitan Football League Division 4, to the Tier 3 Victorian Metropolitan Football League Division 1, via 3 Runners-Up promotions in 4 seasons.[6][7][8]
1977 Victorian Metropolitan League Division 4 (Tier 6)
1981 was the Falcons only season competing in the Victorian Metropolitan Football League Division 1. The team finished 9th, but was promoted to the Tier 2 Victorian State League regardless, due to a restructuring of the league system.[9]
Between 1971 and 1980 the Morwell Falcons finished no lower than 3rd in 10 consecutive seasons in 5 divisions. Results included 9 seasons in the top 2, 4 Championships, and 5 Runners-Up finishes (4 resulting in promotion). It included 3 Championships in a row in 1973-74-75. The team achieved promotion to the next Tier 5 times in 8 season during this period.
Morwell Falcons with the 1984 Victorian State League Championship and Finals Cup trophies
Victorian State League 1982 to 1992
The team fared well in its first season at Tier 2 State League level, finishing a very creditable 4th in the League Championship in 1982.[10] The Falcons went on to finish Runner-Up in the State League Finals Cup in its first season in Tier 2, losing to Green Gully in the Final.
The Falcons were offered the opportunity to apply to join the Tier 1 National Soccer League, but declined the offer. If Morwell Falcons had entered the NSL for the 1984–85 season, it would have been from "Non-League" (now Tier 9) Latrobe Valley Soccer League to Tier 1 National Soccer League via 7 promotions in 12 seasons.
In 1985 the Falcons achieved a Runners-Up finish in both the League Championship and State League (Finals) Cup, following on from the double the previous season. The Falcons qualified for a 3rd State League (Finals) Cup Final in 4 years in 1985. Morwell repeated the successes of 1984 in 1989, again winning the Championship and League (Finals) Cup double.[14]See an image of the president and manager with the Victorian State League (Finals) Cup Trophy here.
In 1991 the Falcons finished the newly renamed Victorian Premier League Season in 3rd.[15] When APIA Leichhardt were relegated back to New South Wales State League at the end of the 1991-92 NSL Season due to financial difficulties,[16] the Falcons were offered promotion to the Tier 1 National Soccer League, and accepted. Morwell Falcons finished 8th in the clubs last season in the Tier 2 Victorian State League Winter season in 1992, and moved directly into the 1992-93 NSL Summer Season.[17]
The promotion to the Tier 1 National Soccer League completed a 20-year rise from the Latrobe Valley Soccer League through Tiers 7 to 2 of the Victorian State League, and final promotion to Tier 1, the NSL. Morwell Falcons were in the Tier 2 Victorian State League top division for 11 seasons.
In 2011, to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary, the club announced the "Team of the State League Era" - a selection of 18 players determined to be the finest to have worn the Falcons' shirt during their 11 seasons in the Victorian state league, with 1984 league winning coach Jimmy Dunne and 1989 league winning coach Bobby McLaughlin named as joint head coaches.
MORWELL FALCONS TEAM OF THE VICTORIAN STATE LEAGUE ERA (1982-1992)
Chart of yearly table positions for Morwell Falcons in NSL
Morwell Falcons were admitted to the then National Soccer League for the 1992–93 season, the 4th NSL season with a Summer schedule. It meant that the Falcons had to complete the 26-game 1992 Victorian State League season, then move into the 26-game Summer NSL Season in the same year, after a break of just over six weeks. Morwell Falcons last game in the Victorian Premier League was in Round 26 on Sunday August 23, 1992. The Falcons drew 1–1 with Brunswick Juventus in Morwell.[18]
The Falcons had previously been offered entry into the National Soccer League during the 1980s, but initially declined. They also had the opportunity to win promotion to the NSL via the 1989 playoffs, however, they lost 5-2 over two legs to West Adelaide.
However, their opportunity in Australia's top flight would come in 1992, when Preston Makedonia pulled out of the competition, at which league officials again offered Morwell the chance to join - an offer that was accepted, despite the short time to prepare for the season.
National Soccer League Inaugural Game: Round 1 1992-93 Season
The tired looking Falcons finishing 12th in the inaugural season in Tier 1.[19]
The Di Fabrizio Stand: Opened Round 18 1993-94
What followed was a disappointing listed finish of 7th in 1993–94. Morwell missed out on Final 6 qualification via a series of bizarre refereeing decisions, which resulted in the Falcons finishing 7th and missing the playoffs.[20] The new Di Fabrizio stand on the outer side of Falcons Park was opened before the Round 18 home game against South Melbourne. See a short television news feature on the stand opening here. The game drew a record crowd of well over 4 times the number of seats available at the venue of 8,256.[21] Morwell's season finished with 3 wins in a row, including a 3–2 away win against Marconi Fairfield in Sydney who qualified for the playoffs in 4th, and a 4–3 away win over 1st placed Melbourne Knights at Somers St Stadium, Melbourne. Morwell had the 7th highest average home attendance (of 14 teams) in the league.[22]
Morwell went on to win the statewide Dockerty Cup in 1994 with a win over Melbourne Zebras in the final 2–1. Morwell Falcons became the first Gippsland based team to win the Dockerty Cup since Wonthaggi Magpies in 1931. The Dockerty Cup was open to all teams based in the state of Victoria. As an NSL team the Falcons entered the competition in the Quarter Final stage and had wins over Frankston Pines, South Melbourne, and Melbourne Zebras to win the tournament.[23]
Morwell Falcons: Jason Dastey, Gary Upton, Claudio Canosa, Steve Douglas, Shaun Parton, Marcus Stergiopoulos, Sonny Sevin, John Waddell, Brian Bothwell, Carlo Villani, Lachlan Armstrong. Coach: Bobby McLachlan
Finals 1994-95
Morwell Falcons played in its only National Soccer League Finals Series in 1995. The team had arguably its best season ever, qualifying 4th in the top 6. The league system involved a penalty shootout at the end of every draw. The Falcons lost just 5 games outright (of 24) for the season, finishing with 8 wins and 11 draws (4 penalty shootout wins and 7 penalty shootout losses). Morwell Falcons hosted leg 1 of the NSL Finals Series Elimination Final versus South Melbourne. A large finals crowd at the Crinigan Road Latrobe City Stadium of 6,565 saw the Falcons play well, but ultimately lose the game 0–1. In the return leg the Falcons lost 5–1 in front of 5,807 in Melbourne at Olympic Park. John Markovski scored the Falcons only goal in an NSL Final in the 66th minute of leg 2. Morwell later won through to the final four of the Dockerty Cup for the second consecutive year, losing to South Melbourne in the Semi Finals.
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: rsssf.com Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champion
Morwell Falcons finished no higher than 10th in all of the seasons between 1995–96 to 2000–01, not qualifying for the NSL finals series again after 1994–95. The team name changed to Gippsland, then again to "Eastern Pride" for the 2000–01 season.
Morwell Falcons' final win in the NSL was under the name Eastern Pride in Round 25, 2000–01. A 2–1 win over Parramatta Power on 31/03/2001. The club forfeited its last four matches of the season, all marked as a 0–3 loss. The team was stripped of its 20 competitions points for regulations breaches by league administration. The club was relegated from the NSL after finishing 15th (of 16) in 2000-01 and subsequently folded. The club was re-established in 2001 as Falcons 2000 and rejoined the rated Tier 9 Latrobe Valley Soccer League.
The National Soccer League was replaced with the A-League Men in 2005–06, making the new Tier 1 exclusively for licensed teams only with no promotion and relegation from the State League "pyramids". The new Tier 1 was established before restructuring that included Australia (including the Socceroos) transferring from Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation before qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup began.
Some would argue that the Morwell Falcons - 1971 through to the 1994-5 Dockerty Cup win and Tier 1 National Soccer League Finals Series participation - is Australia's only "football purists" historical example of promotion from "non-league" to Tier 1 in Australia's Association Football history.
Morwell Falcons (Gippsland Falcons, Eastern Pride) NSL Home Record in Morwell 1992 to 2001
``Approximate equivalent tier relevant to the formation of the NSL in 1977 and the current structure. ↑ Promoted: To a Higher Tier or NSL Finals ↓ Relegated from the NSL and Disbanded, Re-Formed as Falcons 2000 in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League (Tier IX)
Return to the Latrobe Valley Soccer League (2000-)
With the then-named Gippsland Falcons (and then Eastern Pride for one season in 2000-01) in persistent financial trouble in the late 1990s and early 2000's, and concerns over what would happen to the club's identity and famous junior program, a decision was made in the year 2000 by the club's members to form Falcons 2000 Soccer Club, who would be entered into the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.
The club's initial focus was to create a pathway for talented junior players, with its inaugural men's team largely made up of teenage players.
Upon the collapse of the National Soccer League team with the winding up of Eastern Pride, the Falcons 2000 assumed the official lineage of the professional club, albeit deciding to stay in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League rather than seek re-entry into the Victorian Soccer League, where the club left in 1992.
The club struggled to compete with the more established LVSL teams, many of who fielded experienced sides as the level of competition proved far above the Falcons - whose only result of note in the 2000s was finishing as runner-up in the 2002 Battle of Britain Cup.
However, victory in the 2009 Battle of Britain Cup - a 4-2 in over Monash SC - heralded a breakthrough moment in the club's rebirth, winning the same title 3-2 against Monash a year later. Despite suffering losses in the next two Cup finals, the Falcons went on to win the Battle of Britain Cup in 2014,[27][28] 2015,[29][30] and 2016.[31]
However, the club's hunt for a long-awaited LVSL title would last until 2015, when they finally broke through for their first triumph since 1973 with victory dramatically secured on the last day of the season when Sale United unexpectedly lost 3-2 at home to Newborough-Yallourn United after conceding a last-minute goal.[32]
The 2015 season was also notable for the form of star striker Jesse Kennedy, whose 46 goals saw him awarded as the highest goal scorer in any senior men's Victorian league. Kennedy in scored in 21 of his 24 league appearances.[33]
That season would spark what the club would later declare a "decade of success", with the Falcons going on to win the LVSL again in 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024, firmly re-establishing themselves as the dominant club in the Latrobe Valley.[34][35]
Owning to the Italian influence in the club's creation, the Morwell Falcons have - for the vast majority of their history - played in a blue shirt in the similar hue as the Italian national football team.
In the first few decades of existence, the club would mimic the Azzurri by playing in navy blue shirts and white shorts, a combination that would continue until 1994 NSL season, when the club played in blue shorts. However, a red, white and green tricolour was added to the shorts, denoting the club's connection to Italy. Furthermore, the away kit of that season was white, red and green.
With the club entering Victoria's top league in 1982, the Victorian State League, the club added the Italian tricolour to a new v-neck jersey collar, coinciding with the arrival of the shirt manufacturer Inter. The club's junior teams had been playing in the v-neck tricolor since the 1970s.
The 1994 jersey added a red colouring to the shoulder of the jersey, while the change to jersey manufacturer Covo saw the adopt an entirely new home design for the 1995-96 season. For the first time, the Falcons would play in a sky blue jersey, adorned with multiple 'Falcons' logos across the front and back of the jersey. A red away reverse kit was also adopted for the first time.
The club returned to navy blue jersey in 1996, adopting a near-identical style to Juventus' 1995-96 away kit, which was notable for a large yellow star on either sleeve - although Morwell's yellow star overlayed a yellow strip down the length of the sleeve.
A short-lived name change to Eastern Pride in 2000 brought another colour change, this time reverting to a mostly sky blue jersey with white panels, navy shorts and sky blue shorts.
When the club was re-launched as Falcons 2000, they initially played in sky blue kits before adopting a colourway more similar to Inter Milan, with black-and-navy blue stripes becoming the preferred style as the Falcons won multiple league titles between 2015 and 2022.
The club would again adopt a majority sky-blue home kit in 2022, with Legea stepping in as kit sponsor for the first time.
History
The club was formed in 1961 by Italian migrants as the Italian Australian Social Club of Gippsland (IASCO), and initially played in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.[36]
In 1964, the club changed its name to Morwell Falcons as a result of a sponsorship arrangement with the Ford Motor Company.[37] Morwell joined the wider ranks of the Victorian leagues in 1974, initially being accepted as a member of the Victoran Provisional League - which they promptly won in their first two seasons.
At the end of the 1976 season, the decade-long suspension of North Carlton created a vacancy in the Victoran Metropolitan League, and the Falcons beat off 25 other applicants to be selected to make the jump for 1977. The club was chosen for its "...financial strength, sound administration, strong junior setup and good backing from Morwell Shire Council."[38]
A double-page spread in Soccer Action highlighted the Falcons' big ambitions, boldly declaring "State League is their aim" - despite having only just won promotion from Victoria's fourth division.[39]
But the vision foretold by the club's legendary leader Don Di Fabrizio was proven correct as the Falcons exceeded all expectations to reach the Victorian State League in 1982, moving into their expansive modern premises on Crinigan Road, on Morwell's northern fringe, that very same year.[40]
In 1984, just two years after arriving in the top tier, the Falcons would win their first Victorian State League title under the tutelage of famed Irish coach and ex-Fulham icon Jimmy Dunne.
This allowed them to apply for the NSL's Southern Conference, but the club declined the offer.[36] It was that same year that Jim McLean was the named as the Victorian Premier League Player of the Year (known as the Rothmans Medal at the time).
Despite the triumph in 1984, heartbreak would follow in 1985 as the slow-starting Falcons finished the season with a sensational flourish to win seven of their last eight matches - including a 1–0 victory over eventual league champions Croydon City. Despite the barnstorming run, Croydon - now with Falcons' 1984 league champion Billy Whiteside in goal - held their nerve to claim the league title with a 5–1 away win over Maribyrnong Polonia on the final day of the season.
Dunne left the club in 1986 and the club moved on to Scottish coach Bobby McLachlan, who stayed for eight years.
In 1989, Morwell won its second Victorian championship, pipping Brunswick Juventus to the title by a solitary point. The Falcons were placed in a two leg playoff for a spot in the National Soccer League/ However, the Falcons failed to progress to the top flight after losing 5–2 on aggregate against South Australian champions West Adelaide.[36]
The club eventually joined the NSL's ranks in season 1992/93.[36] Morwell won the statewide Dockerty Cup in 1994, after entering the competition as an NSL team in the Quarter Final Stage. The Falcons qualified for the NSL finals once in season 1994/95 after finishing fourth. The club thereafter always found itself in the bottom half of the table, and late in season 2000/01 the club was relegated and subsequently folded.[41]
While the club officially disbanded in 2001, Falcons 2000[42] were created as an offshoot club, and currently compete in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.[43]
Despite finishing fourth in their first year in the Victorian State Men's League in 1982, the Falcons slipped to the 10th in 1983 - although expectations for the 1984 season were boosted for Latrobe Valley-based club when they recruited some key players - including Northern Irish youth international Gerry Clarke, Irish midfielder Stephen Moore and dynamic Englishman Russell Athersych - and ex-Fulham star Jimmy Dunne as head coach.
While Clarke went on to become something of an icon in Gippsland football in later life, coaching numerous local clubs, Moore's prowess in front of goal in 1984 - scoring 17 goals in 26 games - proved an incredible return from the midfied.
The Falcons won just one of their first five games but a 5-0 thumping of Knox City in round six ignited their season and they then claimed victory in six of their next seven matches to climb to the top of the league.
A series of powerful victories - including a 6–0 thrashing of Knox City and a 4-0 hammering of St Albans - meant the Falcons were in the box seat to claim the highest honour in Victorian football, with the signing of Doveton striker Iain Stirton after round 14 proving to be an inspired choice after he was relegated to the Doveton bench by coach Hammy McMeechan. Stirton had an extraordinary impact, netting 10 goals in his first seven games for Morwell and adding another to finish with 11 for the season. Stirton would go on to score more goals than any other player for the Falcons at State League level - 46 goals in 101 games - before leaving the club at the end of the 1988 season.
Leading the league by two points, the Falcons needed only a draw in their final match against Albion Rovers to claim the title. A 0–0 draw at Selwyn Reserve in Albion ensured the Falcons would win their first ever state championship. A sterling performance by young Morwell local Effie Cassar stood out on the day, with Soccer Action journalist Peter Desira acclaiming the defender's "...safe, early passing game, (then) tackling tenaciously and moving forward with the aplomb of a veteran."[44]
The Falcons then went on to win the post-season State League Cup, defeating Fawkner 9–8 on penalties in the semi-final before claiming a 1–0 victory over Maribyrnong Polonia in the final.
The Falcons entered the 1989 Victorian State League having finished the 1988 season in 10th position, 11 points behind league champions Heidelberg United - who were subsequently promoted to the National Soccer League.
The second and third placed teams of 1988 - St Albans and Croydon City - were widely expected to contend for the 1989 title but the Falcons shocked the football world to soar back into contention for the league title, largely thanks to the goals of Darko Basara (11 goals) and New Zealand international New Zealand international Billy Wright (eight goals) - with Northern Irish import Ron Manley proving an astute mid-season pick-up, grabbing six goals in 13 games. Popular captain Jim McBride also hit six goals in 28 games and club veteran Sean Byrne - who did not miss a game all season - added five of his own.
After a critical slip up by equal-first placed Brunswick Juventus on the penultimate day of the season, losing 2–1 to Northcote City, the Falcons moved a point clear heading into the final round thanks to a crucial 0–0 draw at home to Frankston Pines.
Holding to their league lead by a point, the Falcons needed only a win against Ringwood City in the final game of the season to ensure they would be crowned champions for the second time.
In one of the Falcons' finest ever displays, Manley began the rout in the 13th minute before Roy Walsh doubled the Falcons' advantage just before half-time. Wright all but sealed the championship with his effort two minutes after the break before captain Jim McBride sent the capacity crowd at North Crinigan Reserve into a frenzy by making it 4–0 in the final minute.
In October, Morwell had a barnstorming Dockerty Cup run, highlighted by a 2–0 victory over NSL club Footscray JUST - who fielded a star-studded team including Socceroos' trio Mehmet Durakovic, Oscar Crino and Joe Palatsides - in the quarter-finals at Heidelberg. However, the Falcons ran out of steam in the semi-finals, losing 5–0 to eventual runner-up Altona Gate.
Falcons 2000 has long prided itself on having girls and women's teams, with the club fielding teams in the metropolitan competition in the 1990s and early 2000s - known as the "Morwell Falcons Flyers" before later dropping the Flyers' moniker.[45][46]
The team featured Victorian representatives such as Kim Weeks and Amy Porter,[47] with Porter named as the Hoar-Melvin Award winner in 1996 for being Victoria's most valuable junior state team player.[48]
With the collapse of the Gippsland Falcons' professional men's team in 2001, then women's team was also disbanded and a team representing the "Gippsland Soccer League" took their place.[49]
A Falcons' women's team did not resume until 2012, three years after the Latrobe Valley Soccer League introduced women's division for the first time.
In 2022, Falcons 2000's women's team won their first and so far only LVSL league title. In a remarkable season, Falcons went unbeaten throughout the year to claim their maiden women's trophy[50][51] with Savannah Lapenta scoring 14 goals in 12 games to top the league's scoring charts.[52][53]
Five-time club player of the year winner Sheedy Whadcoat was the first player to reach 200 women's games for the club, hitting the milestone in 2024.[54]
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