Drop Ten turn and face 51

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 51

2014 NSWCIS Champions and Queensland High Energy Cup Winners.

Having experienced two fantastic seasons since returning as 1st XI coach in 2012, it was difficult for me to believe that our 2014 team could surpass those efforts, but on some counts, I think they did. A key difference was that this was ‘my team’, I had coached them at both U14 and U15 level, in two ISA Grand Finals, winning one and going down in the other. John Chapman had been the skipper in both of those seasons and in 2014 it would be no different.

As ever, our preparation was early and testing. Six early Sunday morning games pitted us against a range of school, youth and All Age teams. Mt Colah, Thornleigh, Hornsby Heights and St Augustine’s provided stiff opposition but probably none more so than the Berowra Premier League team with whom we drew 2-2. An equally tough draw with Knox, set us up well to defeat St Aloysius 4-1 in the NSWCIS Cup 2nd round, after a bye. It was clear from early on that our balance of quality and depth was special. Almost all of the sixteen-man squad, had Rep experience and we had a good number of Year 12 students returning for a second season, as well as two players having played 1st XI since Year 10. A key factor, as mentioned, was the inclusion of John Chapman to be skipper, because he had played for me in 2010, 2011, 2013 and now 2014.  We knew each other well!

In a first for SPX, we held, through Donna Patterson and the SPX Football Club, a World Cup Luncheon out at Dalton House. Several hundred, parents, players, staff and members of the public were treated to fine food as well as a great deal of insight into Australian football by Socceroo’s Ange Postecoglou.  Former Socceroo and Man Utd keeper, Mark Bosnic and Brett Emerton were also there. In a publicity coup we also had Fox sports Andy Harper with Mel McLaughlin as a very professional MC in a stellar event. Looking back having the opportunity to launch our season with that of the Socceroo’s was amazing. Their target being to reach the World Cup final stages and ours to win every piece of silverware we played for!

It was disappointing then that our St Andrew’s Cup campaign in April spluttered to just a sixth- place finish, after wasteful finishing. Fortunately, in going down 2-0 to Barker we did learn an important lesson we would benefit from later in the year. The immediate consequence of this disappointment was the opportunity to put things right with a 2-0 win over St Spyridon’s in the NSWCIS 3rd Round on the Astro turf. As luck would have it, Illawarra Grammar then forfeited the next game and we found ourselves into the Semi-finals., St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, would once again be our opponents out at Hensley Athletic Park.

The ISA is our own competition. We were reigning Champions the past two years and made great start at defending it once again. Wins over Oakhill 4-0, St Andrew’s 5-1, SCECG’s 14-1, Oakhill 2-1 and Chevalier 5-1 got us off to a flier before a 2-2 with St Patrick’s broke our winning streak. However, the undefeated run set us up nicely for the St Joseph’s Semi-final, out at a rain-soaked Hensley Athletic Park. Once again, as in 2012, the Joey’s media department facilitated a comprehensive summary of their lead up games in the competition. A full video recording of the 2014 semi is included here once again. On the night the game was tight. Fear of making an error stymied free flowing football. Several hundred supporters turned out providing brilliant support. Then when extra time was looking a distinct possibility, young Alex Drake rose to flick home what proved the winning header. This earned us a final spot against Barker College and a chance at redemption for our St Andrew’s Cup reverse. At the final whistle, team relief was tangible with John Chapman leading the side to the crowd who rendered a great version of the Edmund Rice hymn with gusto. We were at the half-way spot in the season and we had another NSWCIS Final to relish.

Comfortable in this knowledge, we headed off for the Queensland-based international High Energy Youth Cup Tournament in Brisbane. This was a competition we had competed for over a decade, without winning the main final, just twice lifting the Plate. We knew the task ahead was a big one. This year the sides hailed from New Zealand, Country Queensland, Brisbane, Sydney and also, an  African youth side. These competitions are usually a test of attrition, stretching through the week. It was a massive achievement for SPX 1st XI to run off six consecutive wins without conceding a goal on the first three competition days. Clairvaux 7-0; BBC 2-0; Shore 2-0; Scots NZ 3-0; St Peter Claver 4-0, African Youth 1-0. The key victory was against the African Youth side. Here was probably our toughest test against an opponent who was physical, athletic and very unpredictable. Coming out on top 1-0 was a fine performance by our boys. We were ranked 1st of the ten sides and earned a Semi-final spot against fourth placed Sydney side, SHORE. Goals by Refenes and Esposito gave us a comfortable 2-0 victory and a Grand Final rematch against Queensland side Sir Peter Claver. As expressed previously, these tournaments are well run and friendly. Making a final against a Queensland side is something else. State of Origin in just another guise. The tournament this year was out at Mitchelton Sports Centre. This facility has multiple fields but the main one, in the middle of the precinct is only used for the final. Sub-consciously, through the week you are mentally working towards a chance to play there. On the 2014 Tour we earned that right.

On a large, dusty pitch at the Mitchelton Football Centre, the game proved to be a messy one. With way too many free kicks punctuating the flow. SPX gradually worked its way into the game, going ahead with a fine finish from Claudio Rosano. Half time came and went but we could not add to our score. Claver hung in doggedly. Then, just 15 seconds from the end, we conceded our first goal of the whole tournament to send the match into extra time. Conceding so late was heart-breaking. We now needed to stabilise and go into extra time. In this final we made a point in the clutch moments, of getting the group well away from the crowd, enabling ourselves to get some clear thoughts. In the circumstances our decision was key.  We steadied, extra time proving inconclusive and we went to penalties. The shoot out swung both ways: we missed early but keeper Greg Frelingos gave us the chance to win, saving after Claver had also missed. Then up stepped Ben John to calmly score the winning kick and the High Energy Youth Cup was ours! Celebrations were immense, SPX winning the Queensland Competition for the first time. A comical story, was told afterwards. Ben John had had no idea of the significance of his kick, with regard to the shoot out result. He calmly slotted his kick away and was engulfed by a Sea of SPX, Blue and Gold!

Returning to Sydney our boys were so happy. They had made SPX history and brought home the Cup from Queensland. Arriving home there was no time to rest on our laurels because we had St Pats and Barker within just three days. The ISA fixture with St Pats saw us lose 2-1 but most agreed at the time that it would steady us for the NSWCIS Final. And it did. Oh what a night!

With many SPX supporters in the crowd of 400 we made the worst start possible in the final, conceding in the first minute! What followed next has gone down in the annals of our football history. We worked hard and drew level by half time, with a penalty from John Chapman. This brought us back on level terms but no one could have foreseen what came next. We absolutely overwhelmed the opposition in the second half. The final score of 6-1 in no way flattered our side. Their keeper, Tom Heward-Belle plays for Sydney FC nowadays, didn't have a bad game but his defence had no answer. We were NSWCIS Champions for the second time in three years. Claudio Rosano scored four second half goals in a brilliant performance. It was the crowning moment in a season where he represented NSWCIS and scored a record 50 goals! 

Having won the NSWCIS Cup, we returned to our own ISA Competition. Three clear victories over St Andrew’s 5-2, Chev 2-0 and SCECG’s 8-0 enabled us to wrap up our third consecutive ISA Minor Premiership. We led the final ladder by 5 points with a record of 8 wins, 1 Draw and 1 defeat; scoring 48 and conceding 10 goals.

It was thus a big disappointment when we went down to St Pats who had finished 4th in the regular season by 2-1, in a classic game at Oxford Falls. Both sides played very well, but in the end, ‘The Men in Black from Strathfield’ prevented us from adding a record third competition to a stellar season. 

Our big cup win qualified us to represent NSWCIS at the All Schools Championship and this was an honour. In a new format, the winners of the Independent, Catholic and State Knock out Cup’s came together in a ‘Champion of Champion’ event down at Seymour Shaw Stadium. We literally drew the short straw in having to play consecutive matches, the second being against Westfield Sports High who were fresh and just off their air-conditioned bus! In the first game we led 1-0 against Holy Spirit Bellambi, had a second disallowed and probably should have won the game. In the event, we gave up two late goals to geo down 2-1. In the second game we found it very tough against Westfield. On the back-foot, we trailed 2-0 at the break. To our boys’ credit we dug deep second period and had to very near misses with he keeper beaten. Conceding a third late goal was disappointing but we fought so well throughout. Westfield also beat Holy Spirit 3-0 becoming deserved Champions. This alma mater  of Harry Kewell, Jason Culina, Alex Brosque and Aaron Mooy, are always the Australian Schools’ benchmark. 

Our 2014 season consisted of 38 matches in all, with 29 wins 5 draws and 4 defeats, scoring 137 goals conceding 38. These were truly shared around and while Claudio had his half ton, Joe Esposito had 20, Refenes 13, Chapman and Bersee 10 with Desa and Drake scoring 7. For all the statistics Simon Yue and I often stand and reflect on what we had helped create. Danny John and Neil Chapman truly brought us into the modern media age with amazing material to work with. Donna, Chris Semaan, Simon Aitken and Leisa Proc all played their part in a monumental season. My lasting memory of that 2014 season is actually a photograph of our Hensley Athletics Field Final crowd.  It involves the team with their backs to the camera facing the grandstand. Not seeing the faces makes it distinctly SPX in a bigger sense. Special, and what I call ‘SPX Eternal’

Joeys NSWCIS Semi 2014

https://youtu.be/IXy5tvXdGnU

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 49

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 49

Season 2012 was a brilliant one for SPX 1st XI. For me it was a return to coaching the side after two seasons away and for the first time for many years, I was unfamiliar with any of the players. Working with Simon Yue we both agreed that there could only one player chosen as captain. Luke Sullivan. Luke had played the previous season along with Will Richardson, Christian Barker, Lachlan Pollet, Tommy Matic, Peter Kastropil and Ben Haughton. Three players came up from the 2nd XI, Danny Guerinoni, JC Di Manno and Mitch Cook, while Greg Bayer, Jayden Milat, Joel Olivieri and Adrian Prieto graduated from the U16’s. We also persuaded three quality players, Nick Morabito, Tommy Higham and Luke Capra to play for SPX for the first time. We had a super squad. Being able to go 14 or 15 players deep, in terms of starters, is a special position to be in. Many of these players also played Rep football. I particularly recall the early Sunday morning when player dad Dom Morabito, came to watch Nick play a pre-season trial for us. At the end of the game he came across and just nodded saying “Yep, we want him to play”. A good choice all around because Nick went on to be our ISA winning Captain in 2013.

In a season which was to stretch to 38 games we played all comers early on Sunday mornings, coming an early cropper v Northbridge U20’s and then the SPX Old Boys by 3-2. Wins over Wakehurst, Mt Colah, Kings and Redfield’s set us up for the St Andrew’s Cup, but it was washed out! Straight into ISA competition we had an early set back losing 3-2 to St Pat’s. Wins over SCECG’s, Chev, St Andrew’s and then SCECG’s, again put us back on track. Two NSWCIS Cup wins against Broughton Park and a thriller shoot out win against Riverview, was followed by another ISA win over St Andrew’s. These victories, setting us up well, for our Queensland Tour in July. 

The Southern Skies tournament again saw us stay at the University of Queensland, St Lucia. Five consecutive wins over Sydney Grammar, Clontarf, Clairvaux, Kings and New Zealanders, Bethlehem College, was a great start. As ever there is always super competition on tour and we lost our last group match 5-2 to John Paul College of Queensland.  This was a heavyweight opponent which as ever, included multiple Korean academy players. We still went through to the semi-finals by virtue of our 5 and 1 record. Over the years we have had many battles with Sir Peter Claver school from Queensland. This game, in 2012 was a great contest that went to penalties after extra time. Captain Luke Sullivan stepped up for the fifth kick but unfortunately rattled the crossbar and we were out! Devastated, he was to have a shot at redemption later in the year.

Returning to Sydney we still had two competitions to pursue. Two ISA draws with Oakhill and Chev were interspersed with a 3-0 NSWCIS Cup over old bogey team, Trinity, placing us in the semi-finals.  ISA wins followed over Oakhill and rivals St Pats who we took apart, 5-1 at Oxford Falls. By the time we played St Joseph’s in the semi we were already looking good for silverware.

A funny story preceded this Joey’s game. One evening I came across a series of their games on YouTube. They actually had a media unit that produced quality highlights packages of all their GPS and NSWCIS Cup games. The several hours I look to analyse their set up, was time well spent, because it revealed their preferred formation and most dangerous players. On a magical night out at Hensley Athletics Park, at East Gardens, we made a strong start and raced to a 2-0 lead. Then in a repeat of the 2009 ISA Final, we inexplicably gave up two goals in four minutes. Into sudden death extra time we went. Then, up stepped Peter Kastropil in a ‘clutch’ moment, to drive home a free kick from distance and we were in the NSWCIS Final. I made a point of thanking the Joey’s Media unit and a copy of the semi-final game is included here at the end. Our final opponents were another GPS side, Newington College.

Returning to our own ISA Competition we were too strong in the semi-final for Chev, winning 5-0. Things were shaping up well and we came up against Oakhill in the ISA Final out at their place. While it is nice that that college puts on the Finals day, it pales as a venue in comparison to Christie Park and its Night Finals! Controlling only what we could control we took on Oakhill knowing that if were patient for long enough they would probably lose their discipline. Going a goal down we saw a calm Peter Kastropil step up to score an equalising penalty right on half time. This set up a pressure cooker atmosphere, second half, and ‘as predicted’ Oakhill lost their cool. Our 2012 side were tough cookies. Several, including goalkeeper Lachlan Pollet, actually played Rugby after our morning games, also for SPX. It was no surprise then, when fellow dual sportsman Tommy Higham shifted numerous opposition players to volley home the winner. We were ISA 2012 Champions! Our boys probably celebrated long and hard Saturday night but had a NSWCIS Final to play just three days later, again out at Hensley Athletics Park, at East Gardens. 

A big vocal SPX crowd came out to help us pursue history that evening. We had lost in both the 2000 and 2010 NSWCIS Finals against Trinity and Joey’s but were determined to make it third time lucky. The final v Newington was tight, tense and inconclusive. We had largely dominated but they had the best chance. Extra time came and went and once again we found ourselves in a penalty shoot-out. Keeper Lachlan Pollet did his bit saving a kick. As I wrote at the time, “Karma had certainly made a note of our Captain Luke Sullivan’s football movements this season, because here, once again, he was entrusted with taking the last kick in the shoot-out, just like in Queensland!” Luke calmly slotted his spot kick and we were NSWCIS Champions! Things had now come full-circle, Luke had put the wrong right, being brave enough to step up having failed in a similar situation in Queensland. That is what leaders do.

At SPX we had a lot of success over the years but both Simon Yue and myself are agreed that this was the game which put us firmly on the map in NSW Independent School Football. We went on to contest the NSW All School ‘s Championship going down on penalties after a 1-1 draw with NSWCCC Champions St John’s, Dubbo. Over 350 sides had entered these NSW Competitions and we had classified third, a great achievement. 

Our record for the season being Two Championship wins and a Cup final defeat boiling down to 

Played 38 Won 24 Drawn 8 Lost 6

Personally, I had the satisfaction of completing a long range double of the NSWCCC Cup in 1995, and NSWCIS Cup in 2012. These being the top competitions in both the Catholic and Independent systems.

https://youtu.be/IXy5tvXdGnU

Joeys Semi video

http://stevenqoz.blogspot.com/?m=1

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 48 A new beginning, SPX U14’s and U15’s

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 48

A new beginning, SPX U14’s and U15’s

Having originally arrived at SPX in 1997, I took on the dual role of 1st XI Coach and Football Convenor, the latter, for four years. As I have written elsewhere SPX at this time had its sporting tradition very much ensconced around Rugby Union. The Grandstand at Oxford Falls faced the main pitch which was the Rugby 1st XV Field. While Rugby had at least eight qualified Rugby coaches we in Football had no more than two. With all this in mind I made the decision then, to concentrate my main energies at the top end of the school. Our students had an obligation to play two terms sport a year and this could include Basketball, Squash, Cricket or even Debating. There was no compliance pressure to play Football nor Rugby. In the next 14 years I worked as coach of the SPX 1st XI and in truth the college piggy backed off the Rep club system in terms of player skill development. If we had had a collection of qualified football coaches, things could have been different but as stated we did not. In practice it meant that although SPX ran 14-16 teams many of our better players played externally with Rep sides, coming on my own radar later, usually in Year 10. Between 1997 and 2009 we won the ISA Championship four times and the St Andrew’s Cup twice, appearing in a total of eleven finals, including the NSWCIS final. After that tumultuous ‘last ever’ night final at Christie Park in 2009, I decided to step down as 1st XI Coach and take on a new challenge coaching a younger side, the U14’s.

Season 2010 proved to be an exciting one for the SPX U14 football side, led by John Chapman. While possessing a squad of undoubted talent, the gods of competition decreed that a range of obstacles would be placed in our way to test the resolve of the players, parents and coaches alike. In the event all was well in the end and the U14’s finished as ISA Champions for 2010.

In many ways 2010 was a fresh start for the U14’s. Different coaches sometimes see different things in the same player, and this was certainly the case this year as four boys came up from the B side in 2009 to play for the A’s. Many players were asked to play new position and indeed our captain John Chapman, was expected to move from the midfield into sweeper. The sheer diversity of size and athleticism among players meant that it took a while to discover a formation/system to suit the group. In the end we went with the highly unorthodox 3 - 6 -1 system which placed striker Leon Warren up front on his own. Leon finished as our top goal-scorer in 2010, many goals where he had literally run clear from friend and foe alike, to score.

A feature of ISA football is the omnipresence of competitive St Pat’s sides in the competition. We drew with them early on, but the vagaries of the weather meant we were not to see them again because they went down to Oakhill in the semi-finals.

We defeated SCECG’s 1-0 in our semi-final at Macquarie University on a day when injuries had decimated our rank’s, but we came through in a must win situation. A lasting memory of 2010 for me was how Joe Espositio, who was also playing Reps, seemed to turn up every week with a different person giving him a lift on to his next engagement. But turn up he did and although at times it looked like we might not make the finals, through hiccups to sides like St Andrew’s, make it we did. 

One of our defeats in the regular season had been to Oakhill by a clear 5-1. Facing them in the Grand Final was an interesting prospect. Turning around such a score-line was an immense challenge but that is exactly what we did.

On a brisk morning at Castle Hill we took on the Minor Premiers on their own turf.  In a tense but goal-less first half we matched Oakhill. On what was a large pitch we gradually got on top, Striker Leon Warren led the way with the opening goal against our opponent’s from Castle Hill.  Captain John Chapman marshaled the defence well, to ensure there was no way back for Oakhill. Two further strikes from midfielder Joseph Esposito wrapped up the match for a thoroughly warranted victory. 

As coach in 2010 this proved to an enjoyable experience for me having worked with the 1st XI for 14 seasons previously. 

Squad 2010 ISA Champions.

John Chapman; Ben Sullivan; Zac Sullivan; Pat Mcmanus; Darcey Patterson Thomas Aposhian; Darian Hargreaves; Joe Esposito; Tim Matevski; Harry Morten; Leon Warren; Lachlan Fuller; Danisha Ediriwira; Gabe Liucci; Oliver Baiel; Andrew Silva; Jake Keen.

Rolling into Season 2011 the SPX U15 squad strengthened considerably. Christian Desa came across from Rep football as did Nick Bersee and Claudio Rosano. Once again, our side SPX team was really competitive, if lacking a bit of size. In what was another wet season with much disruption, the ISA finals were actually staged at Oxford Falls for the first and only time. SPX U15’s had been runners-up in the regular season to St Pats but made the final after beating St Spyridon’s in the semi. Chapman’s boys battled bravely on the big pitch but went down to a good St Pat’s side by 3-0. 

If things had gone to plan, I would have taken this side on to U16 in 2012. However, the football gods once again decided to intervene. The current 1st XI Coach, Paul Hamam, decided to leave SPX and go south to Melbourne to get married. After two seasons away from the 1st XI I returned to work with Simon Yue at the beginning of a golden run for college football.

Coming back to the senior side I was aware of most of the available players, after all, I’d continued to tour Queensland with them in 2010 and 2011. They had reached the NSWCIS final going down to St Josepth’s 3-2 and an ISA final losing to St Pat’s. As I have said before, 1st XI football at SPX, treads a fine line by encouraging the Rep players to also play for the college. This involves a heavy workload as at SPX we regularly play 35-40 games a season. We carry a large squad of 18-20 players, precisely because of that. Training/playing commitments for everyone are an ongoing series of negotiations and accommodation. We had made it work for 15 seasons. Thus in 2011, when I heard that several players had let the side down at semi-final time, I had an opinion that I shared with the Headmaster. At this time, it wasn’t my side, but I was asked what should happen to those two or three players. My solution was simple. Punish them once. Don’t roll on grudges into the following seasons. That is was actually happened. They paid one price in terms of school honours, and by the time I took over in 2012 they were back in the fold. One of the players in question was Luke Sullivan, a natural leader and in 2012 he became my 1st XI Captain, in one of our best teams and seasons ever.

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 47 North London Derbies

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 47

North London Derbies

Monday morning 1.30am  here in oz, the alarm goes off and the house is awake. Short prayer thanking the gods of Foxtel and we are ready to tune in to 'the derby' Tottenham v Arsenal. This is the game that brings both sets of supporters to life.....twice a season, everything is on the line. 

My dad Sid took me to a reserve game against Arsenal in 1963 where legend Bobby Smith was trying to get some fitness. All I remember was that he sat on the ball and burst it!

Yes, this is a fixture with which I have a long association. The first League derby I went to was at Highbury on 8th Mar1966.....45 years ago:) My late cousin Peter Speed had taken me. It was a night match and the crowd was 51,000. We were standing in the clock-end with the Spurs fans. Me, being a small eleven year old, my cousin stood the whole game with me on his shoulders! On a cold evening with mist swirling around the floodlights I fell in love that night with the excitment. This for me would always be 'the derby' game.

The following year I returned to Highbury again and on a bright September Saturday afternoon watched from the North Bank as my side were hammered 4-0! Regardless of the competition this game always meant a lot to everyone. I lived on an estate made up of 300 flats and it was true to say that the kids there were roughly split 50 / 50 in their support...there were very few glory hunters back then supporting sides located in the cold harsh north.

In 1968 we were drawn in a two legged League Cup semi-final the first being at Highbury. The two legs were a fortnight apart and it was necessary to get tickets for the games. What did we do? Set out @ 5.00am to queue up with thousand of supporters stretching right around the ground ....first at Highbury and the week later the same at White Hart Lane. Tickets secured we were treated to a great two matches losing 1-0 in the first and only managing a 1-1 draw at home. As is often the way in football Arsenal managed to miss out when clear favourites losing to tiny Swindon at Wembley 3-1, Don Rogers the hero.

Even though I 'd not seen the great Spurs double side other than in the FA Cup final on TV, I knew that we were the only club to achieve the League/ Cup double in modern times. It was pretty distressing then to realise that in season 1970-71 Arsenal had the chance to emulate our achievement and half of this at White Hart Lane! On the Monday I was desperately hoping my boys would stop them from becoming champions at at our place. It was a school day with a 7.30 evening kick off. Even my school had realised what an important day it was and allowed a group of us to leave at 2.00pm to go to the game. For some reason the game wasn't made all ticket and even though we set out mid-afternoon, Tottenham was packed when we got there, so much so that the queues were out along Tottenham High Road. There we stood for half an hour the queue hardly moving. Eventually we saw that people were walking past the queue and cutting in further up. We jumped out and joined the surge into the Park Lane. For some reason I had worn my heavy crombie coat to the game and as we closed in on the gate the crush became unbelievable. Yards from the turnstile, scarf strangling me and coat being like a straight-jacket I told my mate I had to give up and escape the crowd. We were devastated. Somehow, as we wandered further down the lane, we came across a turnstile with just a tiny queue paid our money and we were in! Oh what a night. There we were in our end, the Park Lane but Arsenal had been allocated half of it. The game was a frenzy but in spite of pressing their goal continually we couldn't score. Then it happened, they scored through a Ray Kennedy header and there we were in the middle of a massive Arsenal celebration winning the league at our ground:( 

On the following Saturday I went out to watch the Arsenal / Liverpool final as a neutral. Charlie George did his part to win it for the gunners and they had won the double.

Not all the games betwen these two sides are remembered for the result. When we played at Highbury the season before the kids from round our way, Arsenal and Spurs had walked almost the whole way back to London Fields after the game. The little low decker 236 bus had been so packed on the way home we decided to walk. It's hard to imagine rival rival supporters going to games together nowdays but that's what we did back in 1970...only splitting up at the ground. This particular night walk was memorable for a very sad reason. One of the Arsenal supporters, Steven Long, 16 was to die tragically two days later. He crashed his motor scooter into a lamp post in Bethnal Geen and was killed instantly. For all of us the lasting memory was walking home with him from Highbury that night.

Tottenham / Arsenal matches are like some perpetual conflict going on in Valhalla. Regardless of league position they are unpredictable. In March 1987 we played them in the League Cup semi-final. Back then there were replays and this tie went to a third match at White Hart Lane. To Tottenham's lasting embarrassment they went off too early! Leading 1-0 with a few minutes left the announcer started giving details of where /when the Spurs fans could purchase their cup final tickets! Of course this was a fatal mistake and in last minute Arsenal equalised and then wen on to win in extra time.....fail!

This game can have all the highs and lows of life. One year (Dec 78) at an all ticket Tottenham / Arsenal match me and a mate got tickets for the Park Lane end which had been allocated to the gunners fans. What made things worse was that it was the game that they hammered us 5-0, Liam Brady running riot. There we stood as the Arsenal celebrated each goal....eventually we went to the police and asked if could be let out and into the Spurs area. They said no! You knew you had tickets for the wrong end but still came in. Worse still, the Arsenal fans around us heard what was said and we spent the rest of the game very uncomfortably trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. 

What comes around goes around they say and in April 83 we absolutely smashed them at our place also by 5-0! A tiny Spurs player named Terry Gibson terrorised them throughout and it was probably one of my top derby experiences. 

The FA Cup semi -finals of 91 and 93 also provided the extreme emotion reserved for derbies in this case with the stakes being an FA Cup final place. The elation and devastation here remain in the memory for all true supporters of these clubs. 

As I share this Spurs / Arseanal blog, it really came home to me that two of my longest and best friends are no longer here to share banter. Johnny Burnham and Tony Fuller were two fantastic people I grew up with.....went to many derbies with ....and miss every day:)

All this said, it is the last match you played that gives the bragging rights. After a long long period of failing to beat Arsenal we have started to even up the record. We won at their place in 2010 with a great comeback 3-2 win and drew the return at WHL 3-3, so for last season we came out well.

The game on Sunday sees many pundits making Spurs favourites after Arsenal's patchy start to the season. I wouldn't take a lot of notice of the betting. It really is in the balance and I see it as a 50/50 proposition. Regardless of the outcome I'm sure I will be hearing from both sets of supporters during and after the game. Come On You Spurs!

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 44 2008 a year of Semi-Finals.

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 44

2008 a year of Semi-Finals.

Following our ISA win in 2007 was always going to be tough, especially seeing that only three of that squad returned to play in 2008. Captain Mitch Cook, Emanuel Diakoulos and Michael Casarotto. That said, what it was a fun year it was. We were in everything but in the end fell short of winning anything!

As ever we played our myriad of pre-season matches at Oxford Falls. One game v Waverley College, provided a good memory for our boys, because Australian Socceroo and EPL player Massimo Luongo was playing that day and we beat them! 

One of our all time great SPX players made his first appearance for the college in this year, Sean Abernethy. Funny thing was he nearly never played for me. Apparently, in Year 9 I had bawled out Sean and his mates, for mucking up in someone else's class. Several people had told me about this tall player Sean. One day I spotted a tall fella at the canteen and bailed him up saying, "Who are you?"

'Abernethy, sir" He replied.

'Abernethy, I'm told you are a good player. How come I don't know you?""I've been avoiding you for the past year Sir, since you shouted at me and my mates!"

'Ah, that's all forgotten Sean, I shout at everybody, come and play for the 1st XI!"

So began his great SPX career. 

The usual ‘six early Sunday mornings’ starting in late January enabled us to select a squad.  On one such Sunday morning, it was drizzling and there I was with no cover getting progressively more wet. As I stood, a woman’s voice came from behind me, on the touchline. 

‘Do you think you’d like a cup of tea?” Without turning around, I recognised these Southern English tones. “I’d love one”. I replied almost as a reflex action.

“Well do you think you’d also want a bacon sandwich with your tea?” The voice behind me, offered.

Almost as if time stood still, I span around to see where this promise of Sunday morning ‘heaven’ was coming from. And there she was, Annie Moore.

‘Ok stay there, I will bring it over, I’m Joe Moore’s mum by the way, he’s number nine!”. And she did. Joe made the side as an outfield player in 2008, before going in goal, the following season. Steve and Annie Moore are great family friends twelve years later. Joe has gone on to have a fine musical career and comes most years to play in the Old Boys fixture. Terrie and I went to his wedding earlier this year. Funny how things go. 

Unfortunately, the April St Andrew’s Cup was washed out. This is usually a big part of our 1st XI preparation. In what was a wet year our ISA was scrappy. We snuck into the semi-finals by virtue of a fourth-place finish, only to come up against eventual winners Oakhill, going down 2-0. Our ISA highpoint was a classic 4-2 victory over rivals St Pat’s in the mud. What was really significant about season 2008 was the fact that neither our-selves, nor our Strathfield opponents, made the ISA final. The first occasion for 12 years! 

Going away to Queensland for the Southern Skies competition in Brisbane really brought this squad together. We took a group of eighteen players but it was made up slightly different to what we originally planned. Young star Houtan Delfi was unwell unable to go on the morning we flew out of Sydney. There I was at 6.00am a player short. What could be done? As I have suggested previously, around football I can be quite persuasive. Who to ring? A back story to season 2008 revolved around Chris Semaan, flying out to start his professional football career in Belgium. Well on this morning he had still not left for Europe. Guess what? I phoned Sied Semaan, his dad, and asked if Chris could come with us to Queensland. I kid you not, he not only said yes but Chris actually got to Brisbane before we did, and was waiting there for us at the gate as we disembarked from the plane! Paul Hamam and Simon Yue were on the tour with our eighteen players. The addition of Chris Semaan certainly gave us more firepower but in truth he added as much to the team spirit as anything else. Of course the temptation of ‘Kebab O’Clock’ at St Lucia, had also played it’s part for Chris! One of the traditions at the Southern Skies Tournament revolved around a big 'social get together' where each college put on a music / dance performance. With the numerous New Zealand schools there were always loads of 'hakka's'.The South Africans and Brits always did something but we Aussies had a fine record of doing nothing. That was until this year, 2008, because Joe Moore got to sing songs in front of nearly two thousand people! This was probably one of his first public performances and it went down a storm.

On the field we ran into a hot Riverview side who beat us 3-0 in the Semi-Final after having had a great 1-0 win that morning against Queensland academy school Harristown of Toowoomba. Our young squad ended up winning three of six matches played but had a great time in the process.

After failing to progress in our own ISA competition, we had a wonder run in the NSWCIS Cup, making the semi-final which played out at Valentine Park. On the way we had downed Covenant 7-5, SCECG’s 5-1 and William Clarke College 8-7 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw. Our opponents in the semi were St Philips of Newcastle. Try as we might we couldn’t penetrate their defence and they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. This particular school, St Philips of Newcastle, were to come across our path several times in future years and were again our semi-final opponents in the NSWCIS Cup in 2019, where we got our revenge before lifting the trophy for the third time. 

As related here, season 2008 was indeed an exciting one for SPX 1st XI. We came very close in three competitions, bowing out in all three at the semi-final stage. Looking on to the following year, 2009 many of our youngsters in the squad had gained valuable experience. One particular player, Andre Carle, had recently come to SPX from St Pat’s. The only player ever to do that in my time at the college. Looking back he was adamant that he would not being playing school football for SPX. Fortunately, we got him interested gradually and he soon became great friends with Danny Deblaere. They both came to play significant roles in our college history the following season, 2009.

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 45 2009, heart stopping, penalty shoot-out ISA Final win.

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 45

2009, heart stopping, penalty shoot-out ISA Final win.

Our 2009 Season was certainly one to remember. It stretched to a total of 29 games which was impressive considering we had three wash outs in what was a very wet season. A solid pre-season saw us defeat Asquith BH and Kings, with draws against St Aloysius and St Augustine’s. The St Andrew’s Cup was played out at Oakhill this year. We beat High, Trinity, SCECG’s and Riverview and true to past form, we again made the Final, only to go down to a hot Newington College side. Unfortunately, our young gun Nathan Mastroianni picked up a bad foot injury which kept him out quite a while. 

The ISA was very stop/start with all the rain. We did manage three wins in May/June over St Andrew’s, Oakhill and SCECG’s but were disappointed to go down by a goal to St Pat’s and lose a NSWCIS thriller to Riverview in a quagmire, 3-2. 

Heading to Queensland in July, Captain Michael Rocca led our biggest ever Tour Party, 19 players and three staff. Things didn’t start too well with three defeats to Knox, Riverview and Queensland Academy, Precision & Artistic. Goals were certainly a problem at this point but Jack Richardson did his best impression of a forward, suddenly weighing in with five goals in the next five games. Wins over New Zealanders Te Aroha College and Clairvaux made things look at a bit better. A defeat to Sydney side Scots College was quickly avenged as we reversed things to win 1-0. The semi saw us come up against Riverview once again going down 3-2 in a thriller.

Returning to Sydney we refocused on the ISA hitting the good form that usually results from going away together.  A 3-3 draw with St Pat’s was followed by three quickfire wins, including a 7-0 demolition of Oakhill. This series of wins put us in the ISA semi-final against St Spyridon’s at Oxford Falls. In a topsy-turvy game it finished 3-3 at full time, extra time and penalties soon followed. Our SPX 1st XI has an amazing record in Penalty deciders, and this one was no different. Captain Michael Rocca and @Andre Carle were both relieved as Danny Deblaere scored the winning penalty and keeper Phil Swart made three crucial saves to put us through. We were in the ISA Final again, out at the legendary Christie Park.

As ever as hundred’s of school supporters and old boys made the trek to North Ryde. We got off to a good start Andre Carle scoring twice against his old school, while we were well on top giving us a 2-0 led. As usual, St Pat’s kept going and as the momentum changed pulled a goal back. As time ticked down we cracked again and at 2-2, the game again went to our second penalty shoot-out in week! In what was classic for the ages, Andre Carle again missed his penalty! So tense was the penalty contest that our keeper Phil actually cramped up and needed treatment between kicks. Then in a brilliant turnaround Phil saved their fourth kick and it went to sudden death. Big Sean Abernethy scored his kick before Phil dived low to the left to save again and we had won the ISA Final 5-4 on penalties. 

Sometimes, people just don’t know what they have. ISA night-time Grand Finals at Christie Park had proven to be a massive plus for the competition. Throughout the day the lower grades would play their finals culminating in the 1st Grade final at 7.00pm. It was sad then that the 2009 final SPX v St Pat’s proved to be the last one. A decision taken by the ISA themselves.

Reflecting on this particular SPX side brings me to realise what a great thing football can be in peoples lives. Andre Carle and Danny Deblaere both took the opportunity to go to the USA to study and play the game they loved spending multiple years doing so. They were following the pathway that David Prentice did, back in 2002, which was also the one followed by Luke Browning and Joseph Esposito in later years. I have remained friends with many of this side. Joe Moore whose video of the full penalty shoot out showed he still had a love for the college, while Ben Trupiano who showed the insight to adapt it so cleverly, has had a great career in around football administration. Big Sean Abernethy works across the road at Chatswood High, teaching PE, While Joe Fachkha plays up the road at Asquith and I played against his dad John A Fachkha, at Prouile. Simon Aitkin has worked alongside me for SPX ISA and NSWCIS. George Kollias indeed scored a goal when it mattered in 2009, while the Ventura, Kastropil and Richardson families kept on writing more significant chapters in the SPX football story. As ever 2009 showed SPX football setting and writing its own history at the college, even if a bit rough and ready. The goal was always to emerge from our own environment and take on' all comers' just for the hell of it. Personally, I made the fateful decision at the end of 2009 to go to coach a younger SPX side, the following season 2010. It just happened to be@John Chapman's group and great things were yet to come. 

Included here are a series of video clips of the 2009 ISA Final. There are two versions of the penalty shoot out, one by Ben Trupiano includes a voice over from Australia’s Uruguay penalties win. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/508136681/videos/130591116681/

https://www.facebook.com/538949585/videos/121415909585/

https://www.facebook.com/1269093725/videos/1208305328980/

https://www.facebook.com/713658932/videos/140065313932/

https://www.facebook.com/713658932/videos/140057778932/

https://www.facebook.com/713658932/videos/140045863932/

https://www.facebook.com/713658932/videos/140080973932/

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 41 St Andrew's Cup winners again

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 41

St Andrew's Cup winners again

Season 2004 was a landmark one for SPX 1st XI. Since joining the college in 1997 I had endeavoured to make our side competitive, not only in our own ISA competition but also against schools from other leagues such the CAS and GPS. These were usually, bigger and better resourced. I often tell the story that walking onto their ground, I’d shake hands with the bloke who I thought was the coach only to find they had four or five other people also involved running the team. There I was with a bag of footballs and a willing handshake. It is something that brings a sense of pride that we came eventually to match these Independent School ‘big-hitters’, increasingly coming out on top in the process.

Our skipper in 2004 was Chris Shahinian. He had played for the SPX 1st XI in 2003, played ISA representative football and a was a fine leader. In later years, Chris actually asked me to come and coach the Armenian based Homenatman club, from Willougby.  I was tempted but knowing that, having recently merged with the Ararat club, it would have been a lot to do in addition to playing, coaching Cassie’s women’s side and also the SPX 1st XI.  

Season 2004 was busy enough we played 23 games in all, being semi-finalists in one competition, beaten finalists in our own ISA competition and finally landing one, winning the St Andrew’s Cup for the second time in four years. We had also made the final twice more across the five years it had been held. 

As I wrote at the time, 

“Captain Chris Shahinian, led from the front, ably assisted by vice-captain Liam Longbottom and Club Captain Bryce Robson, who had just recovered from a knee reconstruction, to participate. This was probably our youngest ever squad, but we proved to be very competitive”.

This is where Football differs from many other sports like League and Union. Younger players can be selected and hold their own in our game. Marc Cinelli, and previously, the late Shahab Kargarian, played 1st XI from Year 9.

The St Andrew’s Cup was held at Oxford Falls in May. We beat both St Pats and Kings in the early round robin, then went on to beat GPS Champions Sydney Grammar with a last second 2-1 win. In the final we took on and beat CAS side Knox 2-1 in a final, we dominated. As ever we played several outside schools in traditional trials including St Aloysius, Sydney High, Cranbrook before making an early exit against Riverview in the NSWCIS Cup. The ISA season had a very wet start. We did manage to get in wins verses St Spyridon’s and St Andrew’s before flying to Queensland.

What made 2004 unique for SPX 1st XI was that for the first time, we went north to Queensland to take on interstate and often International competition. The Competition at this time was the Southern Skies Tournament, based in Brisbane. The organisation was first rate. Not only was there a Football tournament but Rugby, Hockey and Netball also on show. Most sides would stay at the University of Queensland campus at St Lucia. We stayed in one of the College Houses, usually St John’s or Kings College. From those early years sides in the various sports came from all over Australia, South Africa, Great Britain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan and East Timor. Depending on the year the games were put on at one of the large Brisbane private schools like BBC, Brisbane Grammar or Terrace. 

Heading up to north in July, with teacher Matt Bentley and three parents Mr John Macris, Mr Roy Mercer and Mr Peter Ruggeri we had five adults the traveling party. We took 19 players on tour. Playing sides from Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. Of the games played, we won three of six. Losing to Queenslander’s Bayside and the eventual winner the Malaysian U18 Regional Academy, Bukit Jalil.  We still made the semi-final but disappointingly went down to Brisbane Boys College in a game we ought to have won. This new experience of an inter-state tournament was great experience for the side, Year Ten Student Marc Cinelli making the ‘All Stars side of the Tournament’. 

An interesting side story to the inaugural Queensland Tour was the fund-raising we did beforehand. Several parents donated prizes for ‘a draw’ including TV’s and Music players. However, undoubtedly the star prize was a signed Arsenal Jersey for the Invincibles’ side the previous year, donated from the UK by, you guessed it, my cousin Johnny Hill! We raised $5200 in all, the shirt winner was Mr George Cinelli. Much soul searching went on as to whether I would allow this Arsenal Shirt into my house but relented knowing that it was for a good cause.

Returning to Sydney we won our first two ISA games against SCECG’s and Oakhill before struggling in a 1-0 loss to St Pats, earning a semi-final spot all the same, against SCECG’s. Unfortunately, our young striker Tom McAllister broke his leg in this match. (Fortunately, Tom was to recover to be a future 1st XI star and NSWCIS sprint champion.) The game finished 0-0 and we advanced to the final,  because we had finished as runner-up. 

By now Christie Park, ISA Grand Finals had a fine tradition. A crowd of over 500 braved the rain and wind to witness a worthy ISA final. In what was an ‘end to end contest’ we went down 1-0. This had been the eighth consecutive years we had faced St Pats in the final, our last victory had been in 2000. The crowd was fantastic. Our senior players, Chris Shahinian, Liam Watts, Jeremy Toole, Bryce Robson, (who had captained the ISA) Rowan Platt, and Jake Mercer had had a memorable season proving a match for most sides in Independent football. Patrick Toner and Rupen Sevagian came to Queensland while Jimmy Moylan from rugby helped us out in the St Andrew’s Cup. Another season over, thought turned to the next season, there is always rebuilding to be done for another season.

Played  23 Won 13 Drew 2 Lost 8

http://stevenqoz.blogspot.com/?m=1

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 42 2005-6, nearly but not quite there

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 42

2005-6, nearly but not quite there

Looking back on seasons 2005-6 it is hard not to conclude that we underachieved. 

Writing at the time in 2005 I wrote in the annual,

“In nine seasons of ISA competition we have won 58 drawn 5 and lost 11 games, a good record. The SPX 1st XI has always included players who play Rep and club football, as well as a significant number of younger players. All this had invariably been to our advantage, but I feel that in 2005 it did not work as well”.

Weighing up our season it was not what it should have been. Looking at our squad it had some super individuals but as the coach I felt I never quite got the best from the squad. An indication of this underperformance was our failure to make the ISA Final for the first time in nine seasons. We made an early exit in the NSWCIS Cup to Knox. Probably, the biggest disappointment was not getting the squad to participate in a Queensland Tour. Co-Captains Angelo Ruggeri and Marc Cinelli had led the boys to the best of their ability and on our day, we knocked over GPS and CAS heavyweights such as Grammar, Cranbrook, Knox and Kings to finish top of the ranking in the St Andrew’s Cup, only to lose the final to St Aloysius. Looking back at the team pictures I can only conclude that both coaching and morale of the team wasn’t quite right in 2005, because the squad was as strong as any we picked previously. No fewer than 13 of our players represented one of the ISA Rep sides in 2005. Eight in the U16’s, Ben Surace as Captain, Martin Brown as captain of the ISA 2nd XI and Angelo Ruggeri as captain of the ISA 1st XI. 

In 2006 we again had a fine squad of players but having won the ISA Minor Premiership went on to fail spectacularly in the Final. The season had started well beating both the GPS and CAS Champions Kings and Knox within three days. A fine NSWCIS Cup run cruelly truncated at Shore in a penalty shoot-out, after drawing 3-3 in normal time. This was made doubly disappointing because keeper Shaun Jardine had made a brilliant penalty save only to be told he had moved before the kick was taken. 

The ISA final against St Pats was a disaster. Trailing 2-0 to early goals we were to have two players receive red cards before half time. Predictably we went in 5-0 down at the break. In one of the most difficult half-time talks, I had to find something to lift the team. Whatever, I said, they truly responded and despite going down 7-2 we felt that we had restored some pride by scoring twice with just nine players on the field. It has been said many times previously but often motivation to do better relates back to the feeling you have, suffering such a final disappointment. This was undoubtedly a motivator for these relatively young boys for season 2007. Good friend Jack Brown had worked alongside me for three seasons 2004-6 and it was shame we couldn’t get the boys over line for a Championship win, after the St Andrew’s Cup in our first year. Skipper Marc Cinelli had been a wonderful role model for players across four years of 1st XI representation. Making ISA sides in every year he played returning to help coach the side in later

Looking at the faces of the 2006 squad there were eleven players who backed the following year in 2007. As can be expected they returned bigger, stronger and more experienced. On top of that, hope springs eternal and we indeed came through to be ISA Champions that following year.

http://stevenqoz.blogspot.com/?m=1

Drop ten, turn and face. Quilty’s Football Yarns 43 SPX 1st XI Undefeated ISA Champions 2007

Drop ten, turn and face.

Quilty’s Football Yarns 43

SPX 1st XI Undefeated ISA Champions 2007

Sometimes when you are at your lowest point in sport, and for that matter life, you get your greatest clarity and insight. On a windy evening in August 2006, our SPX 1st walked off the pitch at Christie Park, having just been given a series of footballing lessons by rivals St Pat’s of Strathfield. They had gone down 7-2 in a Grand Final, in spite of finishing top of the table and being Minor Premiers. They had also finished the game with nine players, a lack discipline taking away any chance of victory, as early as the first half. Paul Kollias our would be skipper in 2007, learnt that bitter lesson from 2006 and did all he could to put things right, and he did.

Our season in 2007 was to stretch to 34 matches. As usual, we played a range of local sides pre-season, downing North Sydney, Kings, SPX Old Boys, Gordon and Riverview scoring 30 goals and conceding just 6. What was clear was we had goal-scorers in spades. Tom McAlister, fully recovered from his broken leg and Frank Princi were set for a great season. Further preparation for our ISA campaign came with the early season St Andrew’s Cup tournament. Games against Oakhill, Sydney High, Newington and St Aloysius all brought wins before we ran into Trinity Grammar in the Final. Historically, they had always been a bogey side for SPX and once again they had our measure winning 2-0. Further trials were played against St Aloysius, Cranbrook, Shore all bringing comfortable wins. By the time we played our first ISA matches we were flying. A 5-2 win against St Spyridon’s and a 1-1 draw with Oakhill were sandwiched around a 3-2 win over local rivals Oxford Falls Grammar in the NSWCIS Cup. It would have been a surprise then to some observers that we lost a trial game to Trinity Grammar, by 5-0! The truth being that as ever, ask our SPX 1st XI to play in the afternoon and you won’t get a contest. Too many of our boys also play for Rep clubs. This is the whole reason why to all intents and purposes, ISA First Grade is a morning competition, and has been since I arrived at SPX in 1997. We seemed to have got back on track hammering St Paul’s Penrith 8-1 in the NSWCIS Cup.

Then, just as we about to leave for Queensland we played the 3rd Round of that competition and went down to a shock defeat to St Andrew’s College at Oxford Falls. This would be one of the few times we have ever lost to them and on the day a combination over confidence and poor finishing sent us to a 1-3 defeat.  This was a wake-up call and as disappointed as we were, we still felt we could be competitive across Independent football and set off on our Queensland tour full of anticipation. 

By now our participation in the Southern Skies Tournament was becoming a tradition. It was a very well organised event, sides coming from overseas and interstate. Unfortunately, our tournament didn’t get off to a good start, going down to GPS Sydney rivals, Kings 2-0, followed by a 1-1 draw with Brisbane Grammar. Our chances of playing in the Cup stages of the competition were erased when we went down to tough Queensland State High School, Harristown by 1-0. Our regret of a poor start was compounded by missing out the opportunity to play against John Paul College, Logan, who included in their ranks numerous  South Korean players at their Academy including Ki Sung-Yueng who subsequently went to play in the EPL with Swansea and Sunderland. 

Sometimes when you are away on tour there are moments where you find something to turn around the whole thing. On this occasion captain Paul Kollias helped the squad re-focus and set out to win what was on offer. The ‘Southern Skies Plate’, so fondly called the ‘bong’ in later times. In this year the trophies were all elaborate ornamental vases, the bong being a lurid yellow! Our touring party this year 2007, had many parents and grand parents in attendance. Sid Semaan, Leo Raso and Perry Kollias  three of the main culprits along with a very young George Kollias who later also played for the first eleven. Looking at our side we had some particularly strong characters, who if harnessed right, were a formidable combination. Andrew Raso and Matt Drake provided the grit and strength, while a young Chris Semaan the skill, Sean Doran, Tommy McAllister and Frank Princi the goals. 

Immediately, we got the desired response beating Victorians Geelong 5-0 and New Zealand pair Liston and Manurewa both 4-0. This booked us a semi-final spot in the Plate where we took on and downed Victorians St Bernard’s, also by 4-0. Up until this point Tom had scored five goals and Frank three. We were set for the Final and a chance at redemption against Harristown High who we had lost to in the first game 1-0. Playing any final as a NSW side in Queensland is always tough. Everyone and their dog comes out to support the home side. Harristown were a particularly tough, hard boned mob. That is a big attraction of touring, you get the opportunity to play a range of sides with a wide variety of styles. We would have to at least match their physicality and we did. The adrenaline in our side was amazing. It was truly a battle and while the Kings boys and a few parents were our outnumbered support, it was one of the most memorable SPX performances I can remember. We scored early, met their response then scored again. Tommy getting both goals before year ten boy Chris Semaan scored a pearler to wrap up a 3-0 win and a trophy, albeit the Plate. The buzz in our touring squad was fantastic. The famous tour phrase ‘Kebab O’Clock’ originated right here, with the Semaan’s, Salem and Chris, while Matt Bentley and Simon Yue gladly went along, joining in the after official dinner ‘food fest’ at 9.00pm.

The benefits of a successful tour cannot be underestimated. The memories for the players are amazing and count heavily in their overall SPX experience. This tour saw players Scott Barlow, Michael, Shaun Jardine, Chris Cossyvas, Ben Grove, Emmanuel Diakloulas, Matt Farah and Mitch Cook progress immensely. The benefit of this became most apparent when we returned to Sydney to resume our ISA competition. Within two days of our return, we were down to play St Pat’s at Oxford Falls in the last week of the holidays. This was the St Pat’s who had smashed us in the previous years ISA Final. At least eleven of our 2007 squad had played in that infamous 2006 ISA Final, so redemption was definitely on the cards. St Pat’s didn’t know what hit them that afternoon. We brought our Queensland form home with us and were magnificent winning the game 6-2, at that time our biggest win ever over the ‘Men in Black’ from Strathfield. A hat-trick from Tommy McAllister paved the way but Drake, Doran and Raso also netted in an emphatic win. As the vagaries of the draw would dictate, we were down to play St Pat’s again, ten days later out at their place. Expecting a response, the game was a lot closer but we still came away with a deserved 2-1 win. For reasons only known to the ISA this season 2007 was to be ‘first past the post’ with no finals series at Christie Park. This indeed was the format I’d grown up with in the UK, if you won the league you got the trophy.  Our task at this point was to win our last four ISA matches and we would have the title wrapped up for the first time in seven seasons.

A 6-0 win against St Spyridon’s set us off well, a revenge win against St Andrew’s saw a goal fest with 5-3 the result. A very tight Oakhill encounter, saw us come away with a 1-0 win at their place, setting us up to play SCECG’s at Oxford Falls to seal the League title for 2007. A big crowd came along to see us romp home 6-1 and big celebrations. ISA Champions!

Our boys got full recognition and reward at ISA Rep level Doran, Cossyvas, Raso, Grove, Barlow, Kollias, Farah, Drake and McAllister all earning call ups. A young Chris Semaan, was rewarded with a NSWCIS Rep spot as a Year Ten player, a first for us. Chris was later to go to play as a professional in Belgium but not before a funny happenstance came about in 2008, which I will relate another time. Tommy McAlister was Footballer of the Year and top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions. This was SPX’s third ISA first Grade title, in my time at the college. We had addressed our disappointment of 2006 and finally delivered after several years of Minor Premierships then falling in Grand Finals. This indeed was a year of finals for us. Trinity in the St Andrew’s Cup, Harristown up in Queensland and the 6-2 ISA win against St Pats our virtual ISA Final game. This squad, the players, parents and coaches genuinely got on. Matt Bentley, the SPX football convenor moved on to St Aloysius and was still involved in the game. It was a happy time to be involved in ISA football, which in truth has predominantly been the case for me and Simon Yue who from this time, stood alongside myself, as a part of great unit. Chris Semaan in later seasons, came to join us, with Leisa Proc being the final part in the unit and successful we all came to be leading the annual Queensland crusade.