Yagoona Lions

Yagoona Lions FC is a football (soccer) club located in the Bankstown suburb of Yagoona, New South Wales. Their home ground is O'Neill Park. The club was formed by local Macedonian Australians. Yagoona Lions compete in the Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA).

Yagoona Lions Football Club (YLFC) is a sporting organisation that aims to identify and develop grass root footballers within the Bankstown District. Yagoona Lions FC is a long serving affiliate of the Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) and continues to compete under BDAFA. The club has both female and male teams ranging from under 6’s right through to over 35’s.

O’Neill Park is the home of Yagoona Lions which consists of three playing fields. All the fields have lighting, however two have lighting capable of hosting night fixtures. O’Neill Park also does have change room facilities as well as an open operating kiosk. The club has maintained its traditional red and black strip since the early 1980s and has continued using the Lion as the official symbol of the club.

History

Yagoona Lions have a longer and more intriguing history than many might imagine. Despite the adversity of a small population base and relative isolation, the seeds of the current football club was sown as far back as 1971 with the formation of Yagoona Districts Soccer Club.

By 1975, the club had grown sizeably leading to a split and formation of the club we know today, albeit under a different moniker – Yagoona Macedonia Soccer Club.

Yagoona Macedonia was formed as a focal point for the newly immigrated Macedonian community to gather and socialise, and to provide the then Australian-Macedonian youth with the opportunity to learn and play this ‘world game’ that was so popular back in their homeland of Macedonia. The club soon earnt its stripes in the Inter Urban 5th Division, and to the surprise of many, won the title in just their second year. This success led to promotion to the heady heights of the Inter Urban 3rd Division and the club further consolidated its position by claiming the title in 1987.

In 1989, the club again changed its name – becoming the recognisable Yagoona Lions Soccer Club. This secured Yagoona’s position in the Bankstown District Soccer Association. The move also saw Yagoona adopt its new colours (red and black) and the lion became the official emblem of the club.The first few years in Alliance League were tough, with the club finishing near the bottom of the ladder each year until 1997 when they reached the semi finals for the first time. Soon after in 2000 they won a major trophy for the first time when they claimed the prestigious Premiership of Alliance League.

This began a long period of success for the club based almost entirely on homegrown talent, a policy which has been fostered by the club to the present day. It wasn’t until 2006 that Yagoona Lions celebrated its highest achievement claiming a season treble, winning the Premier League Minor Premiership, Grand Final Premiership and NSW Champion of Champions.

The Lions began to build a formidable outfit which saw further success in 2008 and saw Yagoona claim the NSW State Cup and Minor Premiership. The following year Yagoona replicated its double success claiming the Minor Premiership and NSW Champions of Champions for the second time in the clubs rich history.

In 2010 under coach Sash Talevski, the club had mixed fortunes, winning the 2010 Minor Premiership and Grand Final, however fell short of claiming back to back NSW Champion of Champions. 2010 also saw major improvements being carried out to O’neill Park, including the long awaited construction of improved lighting worthy of night fixtures.

The past 40 years has seen many changes with both success and disappointment to the Lions, but all involved with the club are positive the local spirit and pride will herald continued success well into the future.^[1]

First Grade Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Second Grade Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.