South Coast United SC
 | |||
| Full name | South Coast United Soccer Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | United | ||
| Founded | 1984 | ||
| Ground |
Sir Ian McLennan Park, Kembla Grange, NSW | ||
| Capacity | Seated 500, Standing 5000 | ||
| Chairman | Zdenko Loncar | ||
| Manager | Alan Paine | ||
| League | Illawarra Premier League | ||
|
| |||
South Coast United Soccer Club is an Australian football (soccer) club from the city of Wollongong.
The club was founded in 1984 by Wollongong's Croatian Australian community. The club plays in the Illawarra Premier League after being promoted in 2005 after a long stint outside the top division.
South Coast were previously in the Illawarra Conference League or Division 1 as it was previously known. In 2004, SCU were minor premiers of the Illawarra Conference League however lost the Grand Final to Helensburgh 4-1 (H'burg was coached by Alan Paine)
The high point in the club's history came in 1987, only a few years after its formation, when the club won its only Illawara Premier League championship.
The club is located at Kembla Grange and plays its home ground at Ian McLennan Park.
Former player then Manager Michael Santalab (now retired) played with Sydney United, Parramatta Power and the Olyroos.
Former player Brendon Santalab currently plays for A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
Former player Mile Jedinak currently for plays Crystal Palace FC and captain of Australia.
Current player Greg Valic played for the Wollongong Wolves.
New signing David Stojic has returned to the club from Australian 2013 club champion Sydney United.
The club last hosted the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament in 1994 and has been successful in its bid and will now host the 2014 Australia & New Zealand Croatian soccer tournament.
| Year | Division | Points | Placed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Division 1 - IFA | 31 | 5th |
| 2001 | Illawarra Conference League | 32 | 5th |
| 2002 | Illawarra Conference League | 39 | 7th |
| 2003 | Illawarra Conference League | 35 | 9th |
| 2004 | Illawarra Conference League | 62 | 1st - Premiers and Promoted |
| 2005 | Illawarra Premier League | 42 | 5th |
| 2006 | Illawarra Premier League | 35 | 9th |
| 2007 | Illawarra Premier League | 49 | 5th |
| 2008 | Illawarra Premier League | 36 | 9th |
| 2009 | Illawarra Premier League | 36 | 3rd |
| 2010 | Illawarra Premier League | 21 | 11th |
| 2011 | Illawarra Premier League | 29 | 7th |
| 2012 | Illawarra Premier League | 11th place | |
| 2013 | Illawarra Premier League | 10th place | |
| 2014 | Illawarra Premier League | 6th place |
Notable former players
- Mile Jedinak (MF) - Spent 2005 with South Coast United, Captain of Australia and currently playing in the Barclays Premier League with Crystal Palace F.C.
- Michael Santalab (DEF) former Sydney United Olyroos AIS & former Club Coach ... Micheal first played for SCU at the age of 17 before continuing onto the AIS and beyond
- John Sturm (FW) - 25 Years Club Player
- Zvonko Usljebrka (FW) - Leading goal scorer in the Illawarra Premier League former Sydney United Player (NSL) W'Gong Mac. (NSL)
- Joe Coelho (FW) - Former Golden Boot winner with a record 29 goals & W'Gong Mac. (NSL)
- Neil Williams (MF) - Championship winning coach and former Welsh Youth International
- Claude Cellini - Played Wollongong Wolves (National Soccer League)
- David Skeen - Played Wollongong Wolves (National Soccer League) and Socceroo
- Ante Deau - Played Sydney United (National Soccer League)
- Brendon Šantalab (FW) - Currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers FC in the A-League
Notable current players
- David Stojic former Wollongong wolves & Sydney United fc
- Greg Valic former Wollongong Wolves
See also
- List of Croatian football clubs in Australia
- Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
References
www.thegong2014.com.au