| | |||
| Full name | Lambton Jaffas Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Jaffas | ||
| Founded | 1957 | ||
| Ground | Arthur Edden Oval | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Coordinates | 32°55′08″S151°43′13″E / 32.918883°S 151.720296°E | ||
| Head Coach | David Tanchevski | ||
| League | NPL NNSW | ||
| 2025 | 4th of 12 | ||
Lambton Jaffas Football Club is an Australian soccer club based in Lambton a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW, the highest division of the New South Wales Football Leagues.
The badge for Lambton Jaffas has a thistle at the heart of the badge, a hark back to the first football club in Northern NSW, the Lambton Thistles formed in 1885 [1] , with a top and bottom ribbon framing it. The motto on the lower ribbon reads "Capite non captivos" that translates to "Take no Prisoners". On either side of the badge are stylized footballs, reinforcing the sport and the club’s purpose.
The club colours are Gold and Black changing from the traditional Yellow and Brown [2] in 2018.
The Seniors home ground is Arthur Edden Oval in New Lambton since 1969, except for one season in 1976. The Juniors play their home games at Harry Edwards Oval and Lambton No. 1 Oval, both in Lambton Park.
In 1957 Lambton Soccer Club, was established. In 1978, Ernie Lamb had to differentiate between a newly formed 'All Age' and the 2nd Division senior club, and the name Jaffas was first formally used. Originally, the club had one committee each to run the Junior and Senior teams. However, in 1980 two committees were formed. The club was incorporated as Lambton Jaffas Soccer Club in 1987, with a Juniors and Seniors division [3] . In 2008, Lambton became a Football Club.
The club prospered during the 1960s, with the clubs first All Age side being established in 1968. In 1969, the club was invited by the Northern NSW Soccer Federation to participate in the 1970 Northern NSW Second Division [4] to replace Dudley Redhead. The club played under the name of Dudley Lambton that year to fulfill the Federation's obligations to the English Soccer Pools.
In 1975, Lambton Jaffas made the NNSW Second Division finals for the first time. Grand Final wins in 1990,1997,1998 were achieved along with Grand Final appearances in 1991, 2007 & 2011.
After 42 years of amateur football the seniors club became semi-professional in 2010.
In 2012 Lambton Jaffas were crowned Champions and Grand Final winners of Northern NSW First Division and subsequently promoted to the NNSW State League.
2013 was the clubs first year in the NBN State Football League. Making the Grand Final in their first year.
2014 was a break-through year for the Jaffas, taking part in the inaugural National Premier Leagues Northern NSW. In only their second year in the top division of NNSW football, Lambton Jaffas won the Grand Final 2–0, beating Weston Workers Bears.
In 2016, the club qualified for the FFA Cup regular rounds for the first time, exiting the competition in the Round of 32, losing 1 - 0 to NPL Tasmania side Devonport City FC. [5] In 2024 they took on A-League side Melbourne Victory in the Round of 32 losing 4 - 1. [6]
| Seasons | Division |
| 1970 - 1981 | Northern NSW Second Division |
| 1982 - 1987 | Northern NSW Third Division |
| 1988 - 1997 | Northern NSW Second Division |
| 1998 - 2012 | Northern NSW First Division |
| 2013 - Present | Northern NSW State League / NPL |
| 2008 - 2015 | David Tanchevski | NNSW First Division / NNSW NPL |
| 2016 - 2021 | James Pascoe | NNSW NPL |
| 2021 - 2022 | Shane Pryce | NNSW NPL |
| 2023 - Present | David Tanchevski | NNSW NPL |
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|