Manny Gelagotis

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Manny Gelagotis
Personal information
Full name Emmanuel Gelagotis
Date of birth (1969-11-18) 18 November 1969 (age 56)
Place of birth Nhill, Victoria, Australia
Position Defender
Youth career
1982–1983 Warragul United
1984–1985 Moe United
1985–1987 Morwell Falcons
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1987–1988 Morwell Falcons 29 (1)
1991–1995 Traralgon Olympians
1992 Morwell Falcons 15 (0)
1993 Croydon City 4 (0)
1996 Port Melbourne 20 (0)
1996–2001 Gippsland Falcons 104 (3)
2003 Morwell Pegasus
2012-2013 Moe United 12 (0)
2015 Traralgon Olympians 0 (0)
Managerial career
1993–1995 Traralgon Olympians
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Emmanuel "Manny" Gelagotis (born 18 November 1969) is an Australian former professional soccer player, coach, sports administrator and horse racing figure. He played over 100 matches in the NSL with the Gippsland Falcons, and had a long career in Victorian regional football, including the Latrobe Valley Soccer League.

Contents

For much of his football career, he was known as Manny Gotis [1] before he, and his well-known brother Peter, a successful horse racing trainer, both reverted to using the family's original surname. [2]

He also played Australian rules football for several Gippsland-based clubs and was president of the Moe Lions Football Club from 2013 to 2023. [3]

Early life

Born in Nhill, Victoria, Gelagotis was schooled at Albert St Primary School in Moe, St Paul's Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon. He began his football career at Warragul United before joining Morwell Falcons youth system in 1985. [4]

Football career

Morwell Falcons (1988–1992)

After starting out with Warragul United, Gelagotis was sighted by Morwell Falcons' defender Gerry Clarke, who insisted that the State League club sign the tough, skilful defender for its youth team in 1985.

On March 22, 1987, aged just 17, Gelagotis would make his Victorian State League debut as an 88th-minute substitute against Box Hill United in the Falcons Round 3 match Wembley Park, a match that finished in a 1–1 draw. He would go on to make 19 senior league appearances all before his 18th birthday. [5]

He played 29 games and scored once before departing the club at the end of the 1988 Victorian State League season. [6]

Traralgon Olympians (1991–1995)

Played alongside brother Peter from 1991 to 1995 in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League; coached 1993–1995, winning LVSL Championships in 1993 and 1994 and the Battle of Britain Cup in 1994. [7]

Morwell Falcons (1992)

After spending time abroad in Greece and playing for Traralgon Olympians, Gelagotis was re-signed by the Falcons for his second stint in 1992.

In the club's final Victorian State League (then known as the Victorian Premier League) season before joining the National Soccer League in 1992-93, Gotis played 15 matches, taking his State League tally of matches with the Falcons to 44 games. [8]

Croydon City (1993)

Gelagotis made a short stay at Croydon City in 1993 in Victorian Premier League, making four appearances. [9]

Port Melbourne (1996)

Seeking a return to the highest level of football, Gelagotis moved to Melbourne and joined Victorian Premier League club Port Melbourne Sharks.

There he played 20 games in 1996 under Frank Arok, who liked Gelagotis enough to bring him to Morwell when Arok was signed as Falcons' coach ahead of the 1996-97 National Soccer League season. [10]

Gippsland Falcons / Eastern Pride (1996–2001)

Gelagotis returned to the Gippsland Falcons for his third stint in late 1996, this time joining the club in the NSL. He made his NSL debut in Round 3 of the 1996–97 season against Sydney Olympic, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Marcus Stergiopoulos in a 3–0 defeat. [11]

Over the next five seasons, Gelagotis became a key defensive presence, known for his tough tackling and aerial ability, playing a total of 104 NSL matches and scoring three goals. [12] [13] During the 2000–01 season, the club was rebranded as Eastern Pride, and Gelagotis continued to feature regularly in defence. [14] His leadership and experience were highly valued, particularly in mentoring younger players coming through the club's youth system. [15] Gelagotis's tenure at the Falcons/Pride solidified his reputation as one of the most consistent and hard-nosed defenders in the NSL, remembered for his commitment and competitive spirit on the field.

By the time of the club's exit from the NSL, Gotis had made 148 senior league appearances for the Falcons - 44 in the Victorian State League and 104 in the National Soccer League.

Morwell Pegasus (2003)

When the Falcons' bowed out of the NSL at the end of the 2000-01 National Soccer League season, Gelagotis continued his career at lower levels.

In 2003, he joined Morwell Pegasus, who by then were competing in the Victorian Division Two South-East.

Moe United (2012–2013)

At the age of 42, Gelagotis came out of retirement to play for his hometown Latrobe Valley Soccer League club, Moe United in 2012. [16]

Gelagotis played a pivotal role in the 2013 season, linking up with former Gippsland Falcons teammate Adrian Savage to help clinch a remakable league championship for the Red Devils. [17]

Traralgon Olympians (2015)

Gelagotis made two LVSL Second Division league appearances and one Nan Bosma Cup (LVSL's second division cup) before retiring from playing duties in 2015. [18]

Style of play

Physical central defender, tenacious and fierce. [19]

NSL and State League Career Statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCup [a] RefTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Morwell Falcons 1987 Victorian State League 19000 [20] 190
1988Victorian State League10100 [21] 101
1992 Victorian Premier League 15000 [22] 150
Total44100441
Croydon City 1993Victorian Premier League4000 [23] 40
Total400040
Port Melbourne 1996Victorian Premier League20000 [24] 200
Total20000200
Gippsland Falcons 1996–97 National Soccer League 18100 [25] 181
1997–98 National Soccer League15100 [26] 151
1998–99 National Soccer League22000 [27] 220
1999–2000 National Soccer League30100 [28] 301
2000–01 National Soccer League19000 [29] 190
Total1043001043
Career total1724001724

Australian Rules Football career

A talented multi-sportsman, Gelagotis also played Australian rules football locally, representing multiple clubs. [30]

He played mostly with the Moe Lions, reaching 98 senior games, before becoming president in 2013, staying in the role until 2013 and transforming the club to being one of the most powerful in Gippsland. [31]

As a player, he played a critical role in the Gormandale Tigers 1995' North Gippsland Football League premiership, kicking a crucial goal in the third quarter of the grand final against Churchill. [32]

In the winter of 2000, whilst still a professional soccer player with the Gippsland Falcons during the summer months, Gotis played in a North Gippsland Football League premiership with the Heyfield Football Club.

Gelagotis was also part of the in the 2012 Reserves Premiership with Newborough Football Club in Mid Gippsland Football League.

Civic career

Gelagotis spent 11 years as the President of Committee For Moe, from 2008 to 2019.

He was also board member of the Committee For Gippsland for four years before stepping down at the end of 2014.

Horse racing career

Joined Peter Gelagotis Racing Stables as Racing Manager and Assistant Trainer and became responsible for horses including Mourinho, Levendi, Hvasstan. [33] [34] [35] [36]

Honours

Playing

Traralgon Olympians

Moe United

Coaching

Traralgon Olympians

Notes

  1. ↑ Appearances in domestic knockout competitions

References

  1. ↑ Hassett, Sebastian (December 2, 2011). "Heart and Soul". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  2. ↑ Bartley, Patrick (January 6, 2006). "Family and fun drive a trainer's success". The Age. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Falcons boys back together". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Aussie Footballers". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "1987 Victorian Men's State League Results". Ozfootball. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Australian Player Database" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Victorian Player Database" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Morwell Falcons 1992 Playing Roster". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Victorian Player Database" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "Port Melbourne – 1996 Playing Roster" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Australian Player Database". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Aussie Footballers". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "Port Melbourne – 1996 Playing Roster". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Victorian Player Database". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  15. ↑ "Gippsland Falcons Historical Overview". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  16. ↑ "Manny Gelagotis - MyGameDay". Manny Gelagotis - MyGameDay Player Profile. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "Gelagotis pulls the boots on again for a good cause". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  18. ↑ "Manny Gelagotis - MyGameDay". Manny Gelagotis - MyGameDay Player Profile. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  19. ↑ "Manny Gotis – Aussie Footballers". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  20. ↑ "1987 Victorian Men's State League Results". Ozfootball. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "1988 Victorian Men's State League Results". Ozfootball. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  22. ↑ "Morwell Falcons 1992 Playing Roster". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "Croydon City 1993 Playing Roster" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  24. ↑ "Port Melbourne – 1996 Playing Roster". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  25. ↑ "Gippsland Falcons roster for 1996/97" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  26. ↑ "Gippsland Falcons roster for 1997/98" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  27. ↑ "Gippsland Falcons roster for 1998/99" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  28. ↑ "Gippsland Falcons roster for 1999/2000" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  29. ↑ "Eastern Pride roster for 2000/2001" . Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  30. ↑ KEEPUP Staff (30 November 2011). "Gippsland: A region at the heart of football". Melbourne City FC. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  31. ↑ "Falcons boys back together". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  32. ↑ Metcalf-Holt, Blake (5 August 2025). "Last piece in Gormy's golden era". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "Meet Levendi: football's big hope in the Caulfield Guineas". SBS Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mourinho Underwood Stakes". ABC News. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  35. ↑ "Gelagotis racing top of the town". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  36. ↑ "Racing.com – Manny Gelagotis". Racing.com. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
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