Greeks in Melbourne celebrated wildly the win of the Australian soccer cup by South Melbourne FC, the club nicknamed Hellas with the blue and white shirts. It was also the first NPL (second division) team to snatch the title defeating NSL (first division) Melbourne Victory.
On Saturday night, South Melbourne beat Melbourne Victory on penalties in an emotion-charged final. In one of the greatest nights in Australian domestic soccer history, former NSL powerhouses South Melbourne first took Melbourne Victory to extra time, then fought back from 1-0 down to level it at 1-1. They finally won the title winning 4-3 on penalties in front of a pumping sellout crowd of 29,911 fans at AAMI Park, ESPN reports.
It was the biggest moment in 22 years for South Melbourne, locked out of top soccer like other NSL clubs when NPL folded in 2004.
That was the least for most of the fans, though, as Melbourne Greeks had the chance to revel seeing the blue and white lift the precious trophy. After all, the club was founded as South Melbourne Hellas in 1959 by Greek Australians and the core of the fans continues that culture. The club chairmen, Bill Papastergiadis, a leading member of the Greek Australian community, and Andrew Mesourouni, are of Greek descent.
South Melbourne Hellas history
South Melbourne Hellas was established in 1959 in Melbourne through the merger of three clubs: South Melbourne United, Hellenic and Yarra Park. Founded during a period of significant post-war Greek migration, the club became a symbol of Greek-Australian identity, community pride and sporting excellence. Its name, Hellas, reflects its strong connection to Greece.
The club quickly established itself as a force in Victorian football, winning numerous state league championships and cup competitions during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, South Melbourne entered the newly formed National Soccer League (NSL), becoming one of Australian football’s most respected and successful clubs.
South Melbourne won four national league championships, in 1984, 1991, 1998 and 1999. Its greatest international achievement came in 1999, when it won the Oceania Club Championship, earning qualification for the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil. The club was subsequently recognized as Oceania’s Club of the Century.
The most famous Melbourne Hellas player was Alan Davidson, a gifted defender, who represented Australia 51 times as member of the National Team Alan Davidson. His talent brought him to England’s Nottingham Forest in the 1984-1985 season, but two serious injuries kept him out of the game for most of his stint, forcing him to return to Australia after the end of the season. He is one of South Melbourne Hellas’s most celebrated players. His association with South Melbourne reflects the club’s proud history. His son, Jason Davidson, is captain of Melbourne Victory FC.
Following the NSL’s demise in 2004, South Melbourne continued competing in Victorian football, maintaining its proud traditions and passionate supporter base. Playing at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park, the club remains an enduring institution of Australian soccer, representing generations of Greek Australians and preserving a remarkable legacy established in 1959.
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