Floreat Athena

Football club infobox
clubname = Floreat Athena


fullname = Floreat Athena Football Club
nickname = Athena
founded = 1952
ground = E & D Litis Stadium
capacity = approx 5000
chairman = flagicon|Australia Con Poulios
manager = flagicon|Australia Michael Roki
league = Football West State League
season = 2008
position = Runners-Up
shirtsupplier = Errea
shirtsponsors = Parkland Mazda

Floreat Athena F.C. are a football (soccer) club based in Perth, Western Australia. They currently play at the Litis Stadium in the Western Australia State League. The club is of Greek origin and was formed in 1952. They are the currently Western Australia State League champions after going the entire season undefeated.

History

Beginnings

The club was founded in 1951 as a meeting place for the Greek community in Perth. In 1960 they were promoted to the semi-professional state league and were a founding member of the competition. In 1960 the Soccer Federation of Western Australia (SFWA) took over from the Western Australian Soccer Football Association (WASFA) which had previously existed from 1896. The league consisted of just eight strong clubs. Premiership Titles Coincidentally, it was in 1960 that Athena were promoted and played their first season in the Western Australia State League, finishing sixth and maintaining its status in the top flight. The club was able to reach third place on four occasions before finally taking its first premiership title in 1977. The 1977 season was especially controversial as coach Bill Dumbell was dismissed due to some internal disputes with the committee. In 1980 the club was relegated but bounced back to the top flight the following year. The club reached third place four more times before winning its second premiership title in 1988 under coach Ken Worden

The Golden Era

The late eighties and early nineties has been the golden era for Floreat but in truth the club has never really been too far off the pace even to the present day. In the subsequent three years of 1989, 1990 and 1991,Athena topped the table after each season, but stumbled at the final hurdle losing the top-four cup to major rival of the late 1980s / early 1990s Perth Italia on all three occasions. After three years in succession of being the bridesmaid's, the league thought it be best to return to normal policy and adopted the first past the post system from 1992 onwards. In 1997 they won the treble under coach Jim Pyraglios. The new era of football in Western Australia is under the guidance of the newly formed Football West and Floreat have been one of the major clubs in this era, finishing 4th and 5th respectivally in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, before capping off an undefeated season in 2007 and winning the league under coach Michael Roki.

Current season

Floreat Athena are currently the Football West State League champions for 2007. Its the first time the team have won the league since they did so in 1997. The season was more remarkable that that they went the season unbeaten in all 22 games of the season.

2008 season

The 2008 season shapes up to be an intersesting season for Floreat Athena who have already begun preparing. 2008 services for the title defense have been confirmed with Ante Kovacevic, John Migas, Adam Bachiller and Branimir Mikulic all signing contracts. More players are expected to sign during the summer months.

tadium

Floreat Athena play their home games at their own stadium, E & D Litis Stadium. The stadium is located in Mount Hawthorn and can hold between three and five thousand people. There are two grand stands, the Eleni grandstand and the more modern stand in front of the clubrooms which were built 20 years ago. The ground is used by all three Saturday premier league sides as well as the Sunday amateur teams. The stadium is also a popular choice of venue for the annual night series trophy before the start of the season.

The stadium used to be a velodrome used for West Australian cycling and held cycling events for the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, but has since been redeveloped into one of the best stadiums in the state. The Cycling tunnel has been left intact for players to use to and from the change rooms and is a feature of the ground. The tunnel has been named after two famous Athena players: Stan Lazaridis and Vas Kalageracos. The stadiums surface has been complimented as one of the best surfaces in the state amongst other West Australian clubs.

2007 Club Awards

Floreat Athena Held their trophy night on the 13th of October at the E & D Litis stadium function room in front of players, sponsors and committee.

Fairest and Best: Three way tie between Paul Vatistas, Ante Kovacevic and Jerry Karpeh
Runner up Fairest and Best: Bajo Savic

Top Goal Scorer: Jerry Karpeh

Current squad

Coaching and support staff

*Manager: Michael Roki.

*Assistant Manager: Taki Nicolaidis

*Team Manager Peter Vatistas

*Reserve Team Coach Greg Kazmah

*Reserve Team Assistant Coach John Bartolemi

*Physio Kelly Christos

*Kit Manager

Honours

Western Australia Premier League Championship

* 1977
* 1988
* 1997
* 2007

Western Australia League Night Series

* 1977
* 1985
* 1997
* 2000

Western Australia Association Cup

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1997

Western Australia First Division

*1973
*1981

Famous Players

* Troy Bernard
* Ronnie Campbell
* Jeff Curran
* Bobby Despotovski
* Clive Fransz
* Ross Greer
* John Hunter
* Doug Ithier
* Stan Lazaridis
* Adrian Sutton
* Josip Magdic
* Ray Illott
* Norrie Sutton
* John Sydenham
* Ken Worden
* Paul Wormley
* James Afkos
* Vas Kalageracos
* John Carbone
* David Walker (Scottish footballer) (1987-90)

Affiliated Clubs

* South Melbourne FC

External links

* [http://www.floreatathenafc.com.au Official website]