Peninsula Strikers FC explained

Clubname:Peninsula Strikers
Fullname:Peninsula Strikers Football Club
Nickname:Strikers
Founded:1975
Ground:Centenery Park
Capacity:1500[1]
Manager:Donn Delany
League:Victorian State League Division 2
Season:2022
Website:http://www.peninsulastrikers.com.au
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Peninsula Strikers Football Club is an Australian soccer club based in Melbourne, Victoria currently playing in the Victorian State League Division 2. Predominantly supported by Frankston, they play at the Centenary Park in Frankston, Victoria. Peninsula Strikers also have a junior club by the name of Peninsula Strikers Junior FC. In 2019, Peninsula Strikers Junior FC was one of the thirteen new teams added to the Junior Boys National Premier Leagues competition in Victoria.

They were founded in 1975

History

Peninsula Strikers FC[2]

Frankston Strikers Soccer Club was formed officially in December 1993 with the amalgamation of 25-year-old Karingal United Soccer Club and 6-year-old Frankston United Soccer Club and Frankston United Junior Soccer Club.

Talks between some committee members from all clubs began many months before that and the main aims were to:a) Unify fragmented soccer interests in Frankston areab) Provide better facilities for members and their familiesc) Open the opportunity of advancement for the club

1993

Meetings were held on 6 October 1993 when the decision to amalgamate was made by majority vote by all three clubs. The final Annual General Meetings were held a short time later in support of the amalgamation.

On Friday 26 November 1993 the inaugural General Meeting of the new club was held in the McClelland Drive Clubrooms. A steering committee was formed comprising members from all clubs and this was to be the basis of the new committee to guide the club through its first year. Frankston Soccer Club officially commenced operation on 1 December 1993. View newspaper articleFirst business of the steering committee was to create a new image for the club resulting in the name change to Frankston Strikers Soccer Club and new club colours of green and gold.The enthusiasm generated by the merger was evident by the support being received from the Victorian Soccer Federation, the Frankston City and local Council and Government representatives, with the City Council showing their support and confidence in the new club with an extensive renovation and upgrade of the ground.

1995–2006

In 1995 the Frankston City completed a $120,000 restructure of the playing surface at Centenary Park which is a dedicated soccer complex of similar design to Lakeside Stadium, home of South Melbourne Soccer Club. The playing surface has been designated an "A" status by the Council and receives top priority maintenance throughout the year. The Club developed member and spectator facilities to ensure that the complex will meet all criteria for promotion through the Leagues. The complex is one of the finest sporting spectator facilities on the peninsula. View Ground Picture 1, View Ground Picture 2

The Club took the first step in reaching their aims by earning promotion from Division 4 in 1994 to State League Division 3 in 1995 where they finished the season very strongly in 3rd position. The Club won the 1996 Division 3 Premiership and finished third in Division 2 in 1997Fifth in Division 2 in 1998 and fourth in Division 2 in 1999, first in Division 2 in 2000, 11th in Division 1 in 2001 and relegated, 8th Division 2 South-East in 2002, 4th Division 2 South-East 2003, 11th Division 2 South-East 2004 and relegated, 10th Division 3 South East 2005 and 11th Division 3 South East 2006.

The local community have shown their support through good attendances at home games at Centenary Park. The Club is always aiming to build its supporter base from amongst the local community.Additionally, major long term commitments have been developed with several large sponsors which will guarantee the sound financial structure of the Club for the future.

2007

At the club's AGM George announced that he had had discussions with Peninsula Junior Soccer Club re-amalgamation which would guarantee a strong junior section and the possibility that some of these players would eventually play senior soccer.This move has eventuated with great success.The climate really hit home over the next few months no rain and all watering of grounds prohibited, the result was that the grass died and the local council informed the club that for 2007 they would be relocated to Ballam Park.

Perhaps it was meant to be that on his retirement game Steve Keenan scored the winning goal.m Great celebrations went on for weeks. The 2008 season would see the club in division 2 S.E. and, due to the council having put in summer grass which is drought resistant, would return to their home ground at McClelland Drive.

2008

Season 2008 had promised to see the continued good fortune of the club, all the club coaches both firsts and reserves had been reappointed, pre-season began in December at the Monash hockey centre and all the squad of 2007 started training, however after the Xmas break and the start of training in January the players had changed dramatically, perhaps to much celebrating had caused players to retire or jump ship for more money at another club. George and Dougie began the process of signing replacements. Sad to say the new players could not come to terms with the higher football level. It was to be some time before the club picked up points. The season did not get any better, supporters were great but rued the loss of so many players from the title-winning side. The higher the league the harder it is, money being a prime factor for whom a player signs, and so Peninsula could not attract better players able to deal with the higher class of football. The end of the season found the club second bottom of the league and to return to the third division in 2009.

2009

The seventeen goals that Negus scored ensured a good season, after being relegated it is sometimes hard to get motivation going but in a fourth-place finish the coaches had done just that. The club hoped now for some stability in the club with the hope they could build on the season. That proved wishful thinking and as fast as one season was finishing another just around the corner the club lost both senior coaches plus a lot of players who went with them.

Billy Armour who had been signed by the club at the latter part of 2009 was appointed player-coach for the coming season.

2011

So 2011 saw Billy Wright an ex-New Zealand International appointed as coach, Billy had previously coached Nunawading also in the league and so he already knew a lot about the club. Billy was to bring a few players with him but because of distance, some left after a few weeks of first team training. Once again the usual turnover in players occurred pre-season, so more players needed to be signed, and overall through the season they struggled, they had no depth and the supporter base put up with the best they could offers. Once again the club finished near the bottom of the league.

2012

Jamie Skelly who had played in the title-winning team of a few years ago was appointed coach for 2012. A young coach who had learned his trade as Langwarrins under 21 side coach his credentials were excellent, not only that he brought with him many good players from that club, this time they would stay for the season. It should be mentioned here that reserve stalwart coach Dave Reid was still looking after the young hopefuls in the reserve side. On reflection the season did not go to the plan that Jamie had hoped for, consistency in matches did not occur and the team at times never lived up to itself, mixed results went with us throughout the year, injuries robbed us of vital players in the wrong games. Nevertheless, they reached a creditable position in the top half of the league at season's end, the youngsters also finished near the top. Overall there were hopes for a season to build on in 2013.

2013

Hurricane winds were to sweep through the club pre-season Jamie Skelly assured of his position by the previous committee was ousted by the new incoming committee who thought a change in direction was the way to go.Dave Reid was appointed coach with the view of putting out a team most of whom had learnt their soccer coming through from the junior ranks.Jamie's departure also saw the exodus of most of their best players in revolt at the decision to sack him. It was to turn out to be a long season, the usual highly-thought-of soccer on the field disappeared to alarming levels and the crowds did the same. The players on the field did their best but at the end of the season found themselves in a playoff with Sandringham to determine if they were to be relegated.In a nail-biting game they survived and everyone looked forward to a more successful season in 2014

2014

Having been reappointed for 2014 Dave Reid managed to secure some new players for the club in the opening game of the season at Seaford expectations were high and despite a loss, many thought that the club could do well. At the halfway mark of the season, Dave Reid tended his resignation and Billy Rae was appointed the new coach, his approach to the players was give ninety minutes of soccer or you can leave the club. At the end of the season, they found themselves second bottom on the ladder and every likelihood that they would be playing in State League Three in 2015.It was with a great sigh of relief on hearing that Eastern Lions were going to join the new Victorian soccer competition the Federation had canvassed other clubs into joining the league that was now to enter its second season, amazingly Nunawading who finished below ourselves also decided to join, the Lions move meant a vacancy would occur that they could fill and stay in the same league.

2015

The club's new committee also decided on appointing a new coach Craig Lewis who gained a lot of respect as a player at Strikers some years ago, accepted the challenge. Little did he know what would face him at those early training sessions very few players from either the firsts or the reserve squads from 2014 came back and in some desperation began to seek new players from contacts that he had. Players came from many areas and yes by the first game they had two teams. To summarise the season Craig established some stability in the club, again it would not be a really good season however the first eleven finished mid table which with everything that had occurred throughout the season was an excellent result. Sad to say the usually good reserve side struggled all season on some occasions not even able to field a full side. Billy Buchanan who had returned from Scotland during the year took over the coaching role when Jimmy Stewart decided to relinquish the job, both these guys were dedicated people but they simply did not have the players and they were cellar dwellers all season. The seeds, however, have been sown for next season and provided they could retain the majority of the players season 2016 could be a lot brighter.

2016

The reappointment of Craig Lewis as coach, Billy Buchanan as his assistant together with two very experienced ex-players Mark Duff and Graham Watson looking after a very young reserve side the coaching side of the club looked in very good hands. Added to this was that the majority of last year's squad were back. Off the park president Mark or Chopper Brandon has worked hard with a very small committee behind him to get us new floodlights, two new pitches behind the grandstand and grants for extending the club rooms giving us extra changing rooms and other changes which can only improve the club. The introduction of a girls’ team in the via and in their first season gained promotion. The metro team also had a good year and will be looking at promotion for 2017.The best called veterans team eclipsed all again and won the league and cup double. Clayton Lee once again was the rock at the club and once more showed himself to be a great clubman.

2017

2017 will go down as perhaps the most disastrous season in the club's existence, though much was made pre-season that the squad of players assembled would be pushing the club for promotion. However, at the end of the day they were relegated for only the second time in the club's history.Where did it all go wrong initial coach Craig Lewis had thought he had found not only the right players but a good balance in the squad, for the first time the club signed three overseas Visa players.Of the three Danny and Raph who took on the captain's role saw out the season but Leandro chose to leave early in the season for more money from another club. Graham Watson took on the coaching role of the reserve team.Several of the players did get a chance for first-team soccer and hopefully, the club can benefit from this next year. Results were very mixed some poor team performances.Dave McKinney is to be congratulated on all the youngsters showing in Metro 4 Division some really good performances, Josh Vega who scored well over forty goals in his season.

Marty Moore once again coached the girls team for another season.The Sunday Celebrities team never let the club down. The Bayside team have been a benchmark for all the teams who compete in the over 35's competition their records will never be beaten but boys thank you for flying that flag again so high for the club.

2018

The club has used between seventy and eighty players either in the reserve side on in their first eleven side this season. Four first-team coaches only Graham (Winker) Watson remained steadfast in coaching the reserve squad.Trevor Johnston once again took on the Presidents job and together with the committee Andy O'Dell was appointed the new club coach, he had had a great career coaching Altona City and everything in the club looked rosy. The club again gained Visa players mainly from the UK plus Andy brought some good players with him, Danny Brooks remained from the intake of last years Visa crop. The new coach quit before round 1 to return to his previous club for more money, not only did he go but players went with him.This was to be the start of many comings and goings which were to dog the club for months ahead leading to the aforementioned turnover in coaches and playersTrevor was working hard to keep everything going off the pitch and must have been wondering at times where to turn next.Salvation in the name of Jamie Skelly sacked by Cranbourne Comets he was approached to coach at Strikers he brought with him two assistants, Ben Caffrey and Joe Donaghy Jnr, but more importantly, good seasoned players.Jamie was approached to take on an assistant's role at nearby Langwarrin an offer he could not turn down that club being a much higher league than ourselves.For the first time in a while there is now no representation in the Bayside competition. The over 35s side had to withdraw from their league due to lack of players.

2019

New Year New coach – Danny Verdun brings with him his assistant Neil Standish.

Divisional History

2014 – presentVictorian State League 2 South-East
2009- 2013Victorian State League 3 South-East
2008Victorian State League 2 South-East
2005 - 2007Victorian State League 3 South-East
2002 - 2004Victorian State League 2 South-East
2001Victorian State League Division One
1997-2000Victorian State League Division Two South East
1995-1996Victorian State League Division Three
1994Victorian State League Division Four

Achievements

League

DivisionChampionsRunners Up
Victorian State League 3 South-East2007, 1996
Victorian State League Division Two South East2000
Victorian State League Division Four1994
Victorian Provisional League Division Two1990
Basyside Division 119801981

Rivalries

Seaford United

These two clubs first met in 1995 in State League Division Three where both games were draws (2-2 and 3-3), 20 years later they met again in 2014 in State 2 league.

In round 22 in 2016 was probably the low point in the rivalry where strikers lost 0-8 and from memory many red cards.

Frankston Pines

These 2 clubs first met in 1997 in State League Division 3

Stadium

Peninsula Strikers Play at Centenery Park Frankston

Competition timeline

Known AsSeasonLeagueDockerty CupState Cup

Other Cup

Top scorer
width=5%Divisionwidth=3%width=3%width=3%width=3%width=3%width=3%width=3%width=3%width=5%Positionwidth=13%Player(s)width=3%Goals
Karingal United1974Dist South2224162791-64811th
Karingal United1975Dist South2283114756-9197th
Karingal United1976Dist South2273123048-181710th
Karingal United1977Prov222841037361207th
Karingal United1978Prov222911245441198th
Skye RoversBS Div1211065634518263rd
Karingal United1979Prov2207493238-6187th
Skye RoversBS Div1221732803446372nd
Karingal United1980Prov220758483711195th
Skye RoversBS Div12221101242599431st
Karingal United1981Prov2221066452718263rd
Skye RoversBS Div12218041013467362nd
Karingal United1982Prov1261565421725363rd
Skye RoversBS Div1161033642737233rd
Karingal United1983Prov426910735350287th
Skye RoversBS Div118100831310204th
Karingal United1984Prov326116943421287th
Skye RoversBS Div1185493554-19147th
Karingal United1985Div32643191569-541114th
Skye RoversBS Div22063113672-36158th
Karingal United1986Div424512737370228th
Skye RoversProv42677123649-132111th
Karingal United1987Div42676133649-132012th
Skye RoversProv42668122439-152010th
Karingal United1988Div42254132636-10 1411th
Dingley Skye UnitedProv22668122537-12 2011th
Karingal United1989Div4261151036279 277th
Frankston UnitedProv22648142442-18 1612th
Karingal United1990Div42678113745-8 2210th
Frankston UnitedProv2302253763244 492nd
Karingal United1991Div424136537298 324th
Frankston UnitedProv1261358463313 313rd
Karingal United1992Div426107942384 277th
Frankston UnitedProv1261637553025 354thSimon Parott 10
Karingal United1993Div42886143141-10 2212th
Frankston UnitedProv1261646612932 363rdSimon Parott /Terry Desbois 5
Frankston Strikers1994Div4282053652936 452nd1st round Gary McMullin17
Frankston Strikers1995Div3261538713932 483rd3rd Round Terry Wogan18
Frankston Strikers1996Div3251924762947 591st3rd RoundCraig Lewis22
Frankston Strikers1997Div2261817713437 553rdCraig Lewis26
Frankston Strikers1998Div22612311543915 395thTerry Wogan 11
Frankston Strikers1999Div22612410533518404thWillie Raynes14
Frankston Strikers2000Div2221741612140551stDale White27
Frankston Strikers2001Div12233162150-291211thChris Traynor8
Frankston Strikers2002Div22274112244-22258thGraham Watson / Mathew Mcdermot 4
Frankston Strikers2003Div2221246453015404thMichael Anderson 11
Frankston Strikers2004SL22239101840-221811thTrevor Jiohnston4
Frankston Strikers2005SL322 6 4 12 26 51 -252210thCraig Wright5
Frankston Strikers2006SL32253142153-321810thMichael moore4
Frankston Strikers2007SL3221534572631481stSimon Odonell 23
2008SL22243152246-241511thMurat Demirkol 5
2009SL3221156423012384thNegas Harry17
2010SL32257102342-19219thSteven Baxter / Billy Armour4
2011SL32274113558-23|25|9th|| 3rd Round || Murat Demirkol||10|-|bgcolor="blue"||2012|SL3||22|9|3|10|32|34|-2|30|5th||Zone Semi-Finals| Sait Uygar||13|-|bgcolor="blue"||2013|SL3||22|5|3|14|30|46|-16|18||10th|| 1st Round || Blake Hicks||7|-|bgcolor="blue"||2014|SL3||22|6|4|12|27|49|-222211th2nd RoundMathew Hames6
2015SL22275104156-15|26||8th|| 2nd Round|| Amir Osmancevic||12|-|bgcolor="blue"||2016|SL2|22|7|2|13|34|58|-24|23|9th|| 4th Round|| Matt Morris Thomas||11|-|bgcolor="blue"||2017|SL2||22|4|5|13|28|50|-22|17|11th|| 3rd Round|| Aziz Behih||7|-|bgcolor="blue"||2018|SL2|| 22|| 6|| 3|| 13|| 36|| 55|| -19|| 21|| 9th|| 4th Round || John Prescott||9|-|bgcolor="blue" ||2019|SL2|| 22||8||4||10||41 ||40 ||1 ||28 ||7th || 3rd Round ||John Prescott||12|-|bgcolor="blue"||2020|SL2|| 0 || 0|| 0|| 0||0 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||NA ||3rd Round ||No Season ||0|-|bgcolor="blue"||2021|SL2|| 13 || 4|| 3|| 6||28 ||24 ||4 ||15 ||8th || 4th Round|| A Currie/B Doree||10|-|bgcolor="blue"||2022|SL2|| 22 || 12|| 4|| 6|| 39|| 33|| 6|| 40|| 4th || 4th Round|| Riley Anderton||10|}

Managers

  • Russell Black (1994–2004)
  • William Armour (2005)
  • Billy McArthur (2006)
  • George Hughes (2006–2009)
  • William Armour (2010)
  • Billy Wright (2011)
  • Jamie Skelly (2012)
  • Dave Reid (2013–2014)
  • William Rae (2014)
  • Craig Lewis (2015–2017)
  • Billy Buchanan (2017)
  • Willie Raynes (2017)
  • Andy O'Dell(2018)
  • Jamie Paterson (2018)
  • Lenny Greenanl (2018)
  • Jamie Skelly (2018)
  • Danny Verdun (2019)
  • Paul Williams (2020-2021)
  • Donn Delany (2022-)

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Centenary Park . soccerway.
  2. Web site: PS History. Peninsula strikers . 14 February 2019.