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FC Melbourne Srbija (Serbian Cyrillic: ФК Мелбурн Србија), commonly known as Melbourne Serbia (formerly known as Fitzroy City Srbija Soccer Club from 1991 to 2022), is a semi professional football club in Australia based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club was founded by Serbian Australians in 1963 and currently competes in the Victoria Premier League 2.
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| Full name | FC Melbourne Srbija | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Serbia, Srbija | ||
| Founded | 1963 as Srbija Soccer Club | ||
| Ground | Kevin Bartlett Reserve F.R Smith Drive Burnley, Victoria | ||
| Capacity | 2,500 | ||
| Chairman | Dragan Jović | ||
| Coach | Željko Popović | ||
| League | Victorian Premier League 2 | ||
| 2023 | 1st (promoted to VPL 2 2024) | ||
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History edit
Early history edit
The club was founded in 1963. In 1966 the club became a member of the Victorian Provisional League and in the same year renamed to Carlton Serbia. The club was founded primarily by members of the St. Sava Orthodox Church in Carlton, Victoria. Carlton Serbia played most of their home games in the inner suburbs of Melbourne and featured mainly players from the local Serbian Australian Community. Subsequently, the club merged with Ringwood United and became known as Ringwood Serbia. In 1991 the club became Fitzroy City or Fitzroy Serbia and played its games at the old ground of the ex VFL/AFL club Fitzroy Lions at Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy, noticeable players of the club including Nik Kovacevic, Zlatko Mihajlovic, Miki Sedlarevic, Sasha Milenkovic and Nick Gameras. Enjoying their best results ever:
- 1969 Victorian Provisional League champions
- 1971 Victorian District League Central Divisions Champions
- 1972 Victorian Provisional League Champions
- 2000 Victorian State League Division Two North West Champions
- 2009 Victorian Provisional League Division One South East Champions
Supporters and Legacy Fitzroy City "Srbija" is the oldest Serbian backed soccer club in Victoria. The supporters of Fitzroy City "Srbija" are called "Melbourne Srbija Firma" or "MSF".
Premier League Years edit
In 2002, Fitzroy City Serbia competed in the Victorian Premier League (VPL). After many successful years Fitzroy climbed up to the VPL in season 2002 where they spent a season before being relegated on the final day of the season finishing with 22 points – one point less than St. Albans Dinamo. The club's glory moment in the VPL came in a 4–1 win over the then mighty Port Melbourne Sharks.
Recent Years edit
On 2 February 2000 Fitzroy City played former European and World Champions Red Star Belgrade in Heidelberg. After taking an early led, Fitzroy were beaten 3–1. A man of the match performance was put in by Bojo Jevdevic keeping the Red Star players at bay in the first half. In the 2006 season the club competed in State League 3 South East ending the season in 6th place. Nikola Veljovic finished the season with the most league goals – 23! In season 2007 the club was relegated into Provisional League one South East from State League 3 South East. During the 2007 season Fitzroy City ended the season with 8 wins and 14 losses from 22 matches finishing in 10th and again being relegated.
In the 2009 season, Fitzroy City restored some long lost pride by finishing the season as champions of the Victorian Provisional League Division 1 South East. Nothing stated the dominance of the club more than the final day thrashing of close rivals Mooroolbark 6–0. Nathan Jones finished the season as the club's top scorer with 10 goals.
In 2010, Fitzroy City finished 5th in its first year back in Victorian State League Division Three South-East. Henry Wootton had his best year at Fitzroy City picking up the club's Best and Fairest and Top Goal Scorer honors. Among the other winners, Shannon Griffin was voted Best Young Player, Valina Clearwater was named Women's Best and Fairest player and Prudence Robertson finished the season as the Women's Top Goal Scorer.
The 2012 season was a success after a turbulent start. Fitzroy City finished second behind Doveton and ahead of Springvale Bosna which meant promotion into State League 2, NW. The club is currently coached by Nik Kovacevic who played for the club.
Gallery edit
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Melbourne Srbija Official Club Crest -
Melbourne Srbija 2023 Promotion -
Carlton Srbija -
Fitzroy Srbija -
Fitzroy Srbija -
Fitzroy Srbija -
Fitzroy Srbija -
Fitzroy Srbija
Current Squad edit
- As of 1 April 2024[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Achievements edit
League edit
- Victorian State League 1 South-East
- Champions (x1) : 2023
- Victorian State League Division 3
- Runner-up (x1) : 2012
- Victorian State League Division 1[3]
- Runners-up(x1) : 2001
- Victorian State League Division 2
- Champions (x2) : 2000, 2019
- Victorian State League Division 3
- Runner-up (x1) : 1999
- Victorian Provisional League Division 1 (5th tier in Victoria)
- Champions (x1) : 2009
Cup edit
- Karadjordje Cup
- Champions (x3) : 1988, 1997, 2022
Top club goal scorers edit
- 2022 - Henrique Pimenta - 10
- 2019 - James Papadimitriou - Unknown
- 2018 – Aleksandar Hrkalović – Unknown
- 2017 – Aleksandar Hrkalović – 11
- 2016 – Danilo Bonilla – 12
- 2015 – Souheil Azagane – 11
- 2014 – Joshua D'Alessi – 10
- 2013 – Aleks Dimitrijevici - 5
- 2012 – James Stellini – 7
- 2011 – Nathan Jones – 7
- 2010 – Henry Wootton – 13
- 2009 – Nathan Jones – 10
- 2008 – Stewart Peuterer – 13
- 2007 – Stewart Peuterer – 8
- 2006 – Nikola Veljovic – 17
- 2005 – Ignjat Filipovic – 7
- 2004 – Aca Stevanovic – 4
- 2003 – Ivan Jovanovic – 4
- 2002 – Vasko Trp~evski – 5
- 2001 – Zlatko Mihajlovic – 13
- 2000 – Michael Maljanek – 20 (Also State League Div 2 North West Top Scorer)
- 1999 – Miroslav Nikolic – 10
- 1998 – Rados Krasic – 9
- 1997 – Sasa Milenkovic – 5
- 1996 – Nick Gameras – 10
- 1995 – Marjan Marinkovic & Nick Gameras – 5
- 1994 – Sasha Milenkovic – 8
References edit
- ^ "Team — Mens". FC Melbourne. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "History / About Us". FC Melbourne. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Victorian League Archive". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 24 June 2012.