Lilli Pilli Football Club
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| Full name | Lilli Pilli Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Berries | ||
| Short name | LPFC, The Berries | ||
| Founded | 1961 | ||
| Chairman |
 Greg Storey | ||
| Manager |
David Zabic | ||
| League | SSFA (Sutherland Shire Football Assosciation) | ||
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Lilli Pilli Football Club are an Australian football (soccer) club based in Lilli Pilli, New South Wales.
History
The formation of Lilli Pilli soccer club can be attributed mainly to the work of Cliff Horsley, whose untiring efforts during 1960 and early 1961 prepared the ground work for the formation of a soccer club in the Lilli Pilli area. At the first annual general meeting was held in the pavilion on Lilli Pilli oval on 3 March 1961. The “Berries” was formed as an offshoot from Caringbah Rangers Soccer Club, and in its inaugural year the club managed to field just 5 teams.
In 1961 the oval was an unfenced, bumpy, sparsely grassed area. Concrete air raid shelters had been constructed there during World War II and remained for some time. Later a transmitting tower for radio station 2UE was a prominent landmark in the area.
Registrations for 1961 totalled 63 players across the 5 teams. The early pioneering years were difficult as the club struggled to establish itself and it was not until 1963 that we achieved our first premiership win with our 9B team. In 1968 the first all age team represented the Club, and in 1977, the first ladies football team represented the Club.
Since then the club has achieved many successes in the local competition; State Cups and Champion of Champions, but, more importantly, the club has given many thousands of children and adults the opportunity to play and enjoy football, which is reflected in the steady and consistent growth in the number of teams playing for the Berries.
In 2002, the clubs 42nd year of operation, Lilli Pilli fielded a record 90 teams, so they have certainly come a long way from their humble beginnings in 1961.[1]
Recent Times
Lilli Pilli has expanded from its original one-field homeground, known as Lilli Pilli Oval, to include other fields in the local area such as Woolooware High School, Caringbah Oval, Solander Fields, Captain Cook Oval and Breen Park. Currently Lilli Pilli is the largest club, in the largest association in Australia. In 2007 it entered 104 teams, with over 70 in competition grades and player numbers were over 1400.
In 2006, members voted to rename the club from "Lilli Pilli Junior Soccer Club" to "Lilli Pilli Football Club" or more simply "Lilli Pilli F.C." Also in 2006, plans began to be drawn up to redevelop the existing Clubhouse; including change rooms and a second story on the clubhouse. No work has yet started on the clubhouse..
Current squad
The Lilli Pilli Premier League squad first entered the Division 1 league in 2008, and went through the 2009 season undefeated in all their league matches until the Finals series. 7 of the players who played in the 2008 team remain in the squad at present, in 2012, 6 of the under 21A1's of 2011 joined the LPFC PL1's side along with their coaching staff of 2011 which includes David Zabic (Coach) and Warren McCarthy. Along with 2 other new signings of Nick Kynezos and Steven Byrne, the squad looks very promising for the 2012 season.
2012 Season
Lilli Pilli FC has entered into the Waratah Cup for the 2012 season. They began the competition in the first preliminary round where they beat State League Two side Luddenham United 5-1. They then followed up that victory with another win against yet another State League Two team Mountains United, 4-2. In the third round they played the highly fancied Dapto Dandaloo team. They lost 5-1 but put in a very good showing but ran out of steam late in the second half to a semi pro team.
LPFC won the Minor Premiership and also the Premiership in 2012.
LPFC won the Grandfinal in 2013
LPFC ended the season of 2014 in 3rd place and were knocked out of the finals.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Staff
- Chairman – Greg Storey
- Coach – David Zabic
- Assistant Coach – Warren McCarthy
- Secretary – Steve Willett
- Treasurer – Helen Evans
- Manager - Ian Pickering
Sutherland Shire Premier League history
Season 2009
Finished 1st in a competition compiled of 10 teams undefeated.
Played 14 – WON 10 – DREW 4 – LOST 0 – FOR 63 – AGAINST 12 – PTS 34
Season 2010
Finished 5th in the competition Played 15 – WON 7 – DREW 3 – LOST 5 – FOR 41 – AGAINST 31 – PTS 24
Season 2011
Finished 3rd in the competition and knocked out of finals in Grandfinal play-off Played 15 - WON 9 - DREW 2 - LOST 4 - FOR 27 - AGAINST 15 - PTS 29
LPFC PL1's also knocked out of the Bill Cullinan Cup (State Cup) in the Semi Finals.
Season 2012
LPFC PL1's finished the season in first position (albeit by goal difference) losing only 2 games all season. The lost the Semi Final 2-1 to Como Jannali before beating Gymea United 2-0 in the Final to progress to the Grand Final against Como Jannali. Como took a 2-0 lead into half time but a spirited showing from Lilli Pilli brought them back into the game with 2 goals in the final 15 minutes of the match. The game went to extra time and after 20 minutes played there was still no winner. In the current format of the finals series, the team who finished higher in the table is declared the Winner and Lilli Pilli claimed the premiership for the first time in the PL1 competition for 7 years. They were knocked out of the Bill Cullinan Cup (State Cup) in the second round to Inter Lions 3-0. They also qualified for the Champions of Champions competition and have been given a first round bye. Round 2 is scheduled for the 23/09/2012.