APIA Leichhardt Football Club, also known simply as APIA (Associazione Poli-sportiva Italo Australiana), 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.
The club was founded as the Associazione Poli-sportiva Italo Australiana ("APIA") 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. The 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]
In 2018, APIA won the 2018 Waratah Cup.[6] On 21 August 2018, APIA defeated reigning A-League champions Melbourne Victory FC in the Round of 16 of the 2018 FFA Cup, becoming the seventh state-league side to beat a top-tier team in the knockout tournament.[7] The result was billed as one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history.[8]
In 2019, APIA won the National Premier Leagues NSW Grand Final with a 2-1 victory over Sydney United. This was the first final ever played at Bankwest Staidum.
When the Football Federation Australia repealed its controversial National Club Identification Policy, which effectively banned clubs from having ethnic identities APIA dropped the "Tigers" moniker and reverted to its original badge.[9]
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.[10]
Current squad
Updated 1 October 2021.[11][12]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^ abcDuring 1984 to 1986, the league was split into two conferences – APIA played in the Northern Conference and the position in the table reflects position in the conference.
References
^. APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
^Mossop, Brian (11 March 1974). "Soccer with everything... Apia win 9–1". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015 – via Google News Archive.
^Cockerill, Michael (16 April 1992). "Liquidator takes over troubled Apia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
^Cockerill, Michael (25 September 1992). "Apia plan legal tilt for NSL re-entry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
^Cooke, Graham (18 December 1992). "Soccer World – Coaching clinic a must for youngsters". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 February 2015 – via Trove. FORMER NATIONAL League giant Apia Leichhardt will resumeits interrupted career, reincarnated as the Leichhardt Tigers in the NSW Superleague.
^"APIA clinch Cup crown in NSW ahead of FFA Cup Round of 32". FFA Cup. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
^"Sekiya stars as APIA Leichhardt stun Victory in FFA Cup | The World Game". The World Game. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
^"We didn't show up: Victory rue shock FFA Cup exit". NewsComAu. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
^Historic NPL club APIA goes back to its roots with major re-brand, SBS, 2019-12-12
^"Tigers eye historic win". The Village Voice. 29 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
^"Men's First Grade". Football NSW. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
^"Statistics for APIA Leichhardt FC playing in 1st - NPL NSW Men's 2021". mygameday. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
^"2011 NSWPL goalscorers". SoccerAust. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
^"2012 NSWPL goalscorers". SoccerAust. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
^"2014 NSW NPL1 Leading Scorers". SoccerAust. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
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APIA Leichhardt Football Club also known simply as APIA Associazione Poli sportiva Italo Australiana 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 APIA LeichhardtFull nameAPIA Leichhardt Football ClubNickname s The Tigers MarronazzuriFounded1954 as APIA Leichhardt GroundLambert Park Leichhardt New South WalesCapacity5 000PresidentTony RacitiCoachDaniel CumminsLeagueNPL NSW20225th of 12WebsiteClub websiteHome coloursAway coloursFormer club crest 1992 2019 Contents 1 History 2 Venues 3 Current squad 4 Seasons 5 Honours 5 1 Regional 5 2 Domestic 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditThe club was founded as the Associazione Poli sportiva Italo Australiana APIA 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 The 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 In 2017 APIA won the National Premier Leagues NSW premiership but lost the grand final to Manly United FC on penalties APIA also made the grand final of the 2017 Waratah Cup but lost 3 1 to Hakoah Sydney City East FC In 2018 APIA won the 2018 Waratah Cup 6 On 21 August 2018 APIA defeated reigning A League champions Melbourne Victory FC in the Round of 16 of the 2018 FFA Cup becoming the seventh state league side to beat a top tier team in the knockout tournament 7 The result was billed as one of the biggest upsets in the tournament s history 8 In 2019 APIA won the National Premier Leagues NSW Grand Final with a 2 1 victory over Sydney United This was the first final ever played at Bankwest Staidum When the Football Federation Australia repealed its controversial National Club Identification Policy which effectively banned clubs from having ethnic identities APIA dropped the Tigers moniker and reverted to its original badge 9 Venues Edit 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 10 Current squad EditUpdated 1 October 2021 11 12 Note Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules Players may hold more than one non FIFA nationality No Pos Nation Player1 GK AUS Ivan Necevski3 DF AUS Paul Galimi4 DF AUS Joshua Symons5 DF AUS Nicholas Azzone7 FW AUS Matthew Cahill8 MF AUS Corey Bizco9 FW USA Jason Romero10 FW AUS Franco Parisi13 DF AUS David D Apuzzo15 DF AUS Themba Marlow No Pos Nation Player16 MF AUS Sean Symons18 MF AUS Adrian Ucchino20 MF AUS Tynan Diaz21 DF AUS Michael Kouta22 GK AUS Luke Turnbull23 DF AUS Walter Scott25 MF AUS Antonio Rizzo FW AUS Gene Marantos DF AUS Yianni NicolaouSeasons EditSeason League WaratahCup AustraliaCup a Other b Top scorerDiv Pld W D L GF GA Pts Pos Finals Player s Goals1957 NSW Div 1 20 3 4 13 39 57 10 9th 1958 NSW Div 1 22 7 4 11 41 41 18 8th 1959 NSW Div 1 26 19 4 3 72 33 42 2nd RU1960 NSW Div 1 26 18 5 3 71 25 41 2nd SF1961 NSW Div 1 22 10 4 8 55 43 24 6th 1962 NSW Div 1 22 13 3 6 65 38 29 3rd SF W QF1963 NSW Div 1 22 14 3 5 70 37 31 2nd RU QF1964 NSW Div 1 22 14 3 5 59 35 31 1st W RU1965 NSW Div 1 18 11 0 7 51 28 22 3rd W RU1966 NSW Div 1 18 13 4 1 55 16 30 1st RU W W WAMP1967 NSW Div 1 22 17 3 2 65 19 37 1st RU RU1968 NSW Div 1 22 11 4 7 42 25 29 3rd GS R161969 NSW Div 1 22 9 8 5 35 26 26 4th W 3rdAMP1970 NSW Div 1 22 9 1 12 36 35 19 7th WAMP1971 NSW Div 1 22 6 5 11 25 40 17 8th 4thAMP1972 NSW Div 1 22 11 8 3 33 18 30 3rd SF Un knownAMP1973 NSW Div 1 22 10 6 6 38 34 26 5th 1974 NSW Div 1 22 12 4 6 44 25 28 2nd PF WAMP1975 NSW Div 1 22 13 5 4 39 19 31 1st RU W1976 NSW Div 1 22 15 5 2 49 17 35 2nd W1977 NSW Div 1 22 15 6 1 46 15 36 2nd PF1978 NSW Div 1 26 13 3 10 36 4 29 6th 1R1979 National Soccer League 26 11 3 12 29 37 25 8th N A R161980 National Soccer League 26 8 7 11 27 35 23 8th N A R161981 National Soccer League 30 12 11 7 39 33 35 4th N A QF1982 National Soccer League 30 12 7 11 49 54 31 7th N A W1983 National Soccer League 30 11 6 13 42 36 39 8th N A R161984 NSL Northern Conference 28 12 8 8 43 35 32 4th c PF SF1985 NSL Northern Conference 22 7 2 13 20 34 16 9th c R161986 NSL Northern Conference 22 9 6 7 25 23 24 7th c R321987 National Soccer League 24 13 9 2 39 21 35 1st W R161988 National Soccer League 26 8 7 11 28 35 23 11th W1989 National Soccer League 26 7 9 10 27 35 23 10th SF1989 90 National Soccer League 26 11 9 6 36 25 31 6th SF1990 91 National Soccer League 26 7 7 12 27 28 21 11th SF1991 92 National Soccer League 26 7 11 8 26 28 25 8th R161993 NSW Super League 26 10 6 2P 8 39 23 44 6th 1994 NSW Super League 22 7 3 7P 5 20 19 34 8th 1995 NSW Super League 26 10 4 5P 7 29 23 43 4th 1996 NSW SL Stage 1 13 7 3 3 20 14 24 3rd NSW SL Stage 2 13 4 5 4 19 22 17 8th1997 NSW Super League 20 12 3 5 27 17 39 2nd PF1998 NSW Super League 21 8 6 7 32 32 30 8th 1999 NSW Super League 22 11 2 9 43 37 35 7th 2000 NSW Super League 26 14 6 6 53 39 48 3rd PF2000 01 NSW Premier League 18 8 2 8 41 36 26 5th Steve Karavatakis 162001 02 NSW Premier League 22 12 5 5 40 29 41 4th EF Steve Karavatakis 122002 03 NSW Premier League 22 11 7 4 44 25 40 2nd W Not held Zlatko Arambasic 172003 04 NSW Premier League 22 7 3 12 24 36 24 9th SF Norman Tome 62004 05 NSW Premier League 22 9 4 9 25 29 31 6th SF Norman Tome 42006 NSW Premier League 18 3 4 11 16 38 13 10th RU Shane McGirr 32007 NSW Premier League 18 8 4 6 26 23 28 5th 4R Robbie Younis 92008 NSW Premier League 22 9 7 6 41 35 34 6th QF Robbie Younis 212009 NSW Premier League 22 5 7 10 30 38 22 11th 4R Robbie Younis 112010 NSW Premier League 22 13 3 7 39 37 39 3rd SF 4R Robbie Younis 142011 NSW Premier League 22 6 5 11 24 36 23 10th QF Robbie Younis 5 13 2012 NSW Premier League 22 9 4 9 32 31 31 6th RU Andrew Bevin 7 14 2013 NSW NPL1 22 2 8 12 29 48 14 11th W Nikola Taneski 72014 NSW NPL1 22 4 8 10 31 51 20 11th 4R Blake Powell 9 15 2015 NSW NPL1 22 13 6 3 56 31 45 2nd PF 4R Blake Powell 212016 NSW NPL1 22 7 5 11 39 41 26 8th 6R Tasuku Sekyia 112017 NSW NPL1 22 16 1 5 50 18 49 1st RU RU R16 SFNPLF Jordan Murray 122018 NSW NPL1 22 14 3 5 62 28 45 2nd RU W QF Jordan Murray 242019 NSW NPL1 22 12 6 4 42 28 42 2nd W 6R Christopher Payne 222020 NSW NPL1 11 2 1 8 12 27 7 season cancelled Sean Symons 42021 NSW NPL1 17 6 3 8 20 21 21 season cancelled QF Franco Parisi 52022 NSW NPL1 22 10 5 7 41 33 35 5th SF 4R Jason Romero 112023 NSW NPL1Correct as of 31st August 2022Source OzFootballKey Premiers premiership positions or Champions finals series Runners up premiership or finals series Third place premiership 1R 2R 3R 7R 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round 7th Round EF Elimination Final GS Group Stage P Draws went to penalty shoot outs during the 1993 1995 seasons 2 points for win 1 point for loss PF Preliminary Final PO Playoff Final QF Quarter final R32 Round of 32 R16 Round of 16 RU Runners Up SF Semi final Unk Result unknown W WinnersHonours EditRegional Edit National Premier Leagues NSW Premiers 5 1964 1966 1967 1975 2017 Runners Up 11 1959 1960 1963 1974 1976 1977 1997 2002 03 2015 2018 2019National Premier Leagues NSW Grand Finals Championships 6 1964 1965 1969 1976 2002 03 2019 Runners Up 7 1959 1963 1966 1967 1975 2017 2018 Waratah Cup Winners 5 1962 1966 1975 2013 2018 Runners Up 3 2006 2012 2017Jonny Warren Cup Winners 1 2007Ampol Cup Winners 3 1966 1970 1974Domestic Edit National Soccer League Premiers 1 1987 National Soccer League Champions 1 1987Australia Cup Winners 1 1966 Runners Up 3 1964 1965 1967 NSL Cup Winners 2 1982 1988Notes Edit FFA Cup Australia Cup from 2014 Includes Australia Cup 1962 1968 and NSL Cup 1977 1997 Includes NPL Finals and Ampol Cup a b c During 1984 to 1986 the league was split into two conferences APIA played in the Northern Conference and the position in the table reflects position in the conference References Edit History APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC Archived from the original on 23 February 2015 Retrieved 23 February 2015 Mossop Brian 11 March 1974 Soccer with everything Apia win 9 1 The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 23 February 2015 via Google News Archive Cockerill Michael 16 April 1992 Liquidator takes over troubled Apia The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 23 February 2015 Cockerill Michael 25 September 1992 Apia plan legal tilt for NSL re entry The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 23 February 2015 Cooke Graham 18 December 1992 Soccer World Coaching clinic a must for youngsters The Canberra Times Retrieved 23 February 2015 via Trove FORMER NATIONAL League giant Apia Leichhardt will resumeits interrupted career reincarnated as the Leichhardt Tigers in the NSW Superleague APIA clinch Cup crown in NSW ahead of FFA Cup Round of 32 FFA Cup Retrieved 22 August 2018 Sekiya stars as APIA Leichhardt stun Victory in FFA Cup The World Game The World Game Retrieved 22 August 2018 We didn t show up Victory rue shock FFA Cup exit NewsComAu Retrieved 22 August 2018 Historic NPL club APIA goes back to its roots with major re brand SBS 2019 12 12 Tigers eye historic win The Village Voice 29 June 2012 Archived from the original on 30 December 2012 Retrieved 23 February 2015 Men s First Grade Football NSW Retrieved 25 February 2021 Statistics for APIA Leichhardt FC playing in 1st NPL NSW Men s 2021 mygameday Retrieved 2 October 2021 2011 NSWPL goalscorers SoccerAust Retrieved 22 October 2018 2012 NSWPL goalscorers SoccerAust Retrieved 22 October 2018 2014 NSW NPL1 Leading Scorers SoccerAust Retrieved 22 October 2018 External links EditOfficial website Oz Football Profile NPL NSW Fixtures amp ResultsPreceded byAdelaide City NSL Champions1987 Succeeded byMarconi Stallions Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title APIA Leichhardt FC amp oldid 1131216966, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
