APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC

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APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Logo of the APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC
Full name APIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club
Nickname(s) The Tigers, Marronazzuri
Founded 1954 (as APIA Leichhardt)
Ground Lambert Park,
Leichhardt, New South Wales
Ground Capacity 5,000
Coach Billy McColl
League NPL NSW
2013 11th
Website Club home page

APIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known simply as APIA, 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.

History

The club was founded as the Associazione Poli-sportiva Italo Australiana 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. 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]

2015 National Premier Leagues Senior Squad

Correct as of 3 May 2015. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player]
1 Australia GK Andrew Bazi
2 Australia DF Nathan Millgate
4 Australia DF Brad Bartels
5 Australia DF Michael West (c)
6 Australia DF Tyson Rhodes
7 Australia MF Stephen Kayes
8 Australia MF Corey Bizco
10 Australia FW Franco Parisi
No. Position Player
11 Australia FW Nathan Elasi
12 Australia DF Daniel Petkovski
13 Australia DF David D'Apuzzo
15 Australia DF Brett Studman
16 Australia MF Sean Symons
18 Australia MF Adrian Ucchino
23 Australia MF Nick Olsen
24 Australia MF Adam Griffiths
92 Australia GK Ryan Norval

Venues

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, Leichhardt Oval and Henson Park.[6]

Honours

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC honours
Honour No. Years
National Soccer League Champions 1 1987
New South Wales State League Premiers 5 1964, 1966, 1967, 1975, 2003
National Soccer League Cup 1 1988
Australia Cup 1 1966
State Cup / Waratah Cup 4 1962, 1966, 1975, 2013

References

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External links

Preceded by NSL Champions
1987		 Succeeded by
Marconi Stallions
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