Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC
Full name Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC
Nickname(s) Avala
Founded 1968
Ground Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg
Ground Capacity 10,000
Chairman Jovo Prlić
Head Coach Brian Brown
League National Premier Leagues NSW
2015 3rd

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC is an Australian semi-professional soccer club based in Bonnyrigg, Sydney, New South Wales, playing in the National Premier Leagues NSW. The club was founded in 1968 as Avala Sports Club and took its current name in 1992.

History

Established by Serbian migrants from the Cabramatta area of south-west Sydney, their primary supporter base has been the local Serbian community. Its most famous products are former Socceroo Milan Blagojević, current Perth Glory and former Young Socceroo captain and goalkeeper Danny Vuković, as well as current Young Socceroo and Melbourne Heart defender David Vranković. Aleksandar Janković was manager of Red Star Belgrade twice. Former Brisbane Roar defender Milan Susak played a major role in Ange Postecoglou's Premiership and Championship winning side.

The club was established in 1968 as the Avala Sports Club, named after the Avala mountain in Serbia. In 1977, Avala was promoted to the New South Wales Premier League and competed in the top level of New South Wales soccer until 1986.

After a two-year absence from the New South Wales Premier League which included a New South Wales Winter Super League Premiership-Championship double in 1988, Avala's strong performances in the State Leagues and their strong crowd attendances didn't go unnoticed and they were offered the opportunity to be a part of the National Soccer League; however they declined due to poor administration within the Soccer Australia sector and the large financial burden it would place on the club, with many other clubs within the league at the time financially struggling. Avala returned to top flight action in 1989, undergoing a name change to Bonnyrigg White Eagles after the 1992 season, and remained in the Top Division until 2006.

After picking up both a premiership and championship over the next three seasons in the Super League, in 2009 Bonnyrigg was once again promoted to the New South Wales Premier League, playing in the highest league in New South Wales. They quickly picked up more honours by claiming their 4th and 5th New South Wales Premier League Premierships and Club Championships in the 2010 and 2012 seasons respectively, also suffering grand final defeats in the 2005, 2010 and 2012 seasons. They won the championship for a third time in the 2013 NSW Premier League season.

They have won five Premierships and three Championships in the NSW Premier League in their history. Under Brian "Bomber" Brown's arrival towards the half-way point of the NSW Premier League season in 2009, the club has achieved Two Premierships respectively in 2010 and 2012 alongside the club's first Championship in 2013 which was the first time in thirteen years, defeating the Macedonian-backed Rockdale City Suns at Penrith Stadium in front of over 8000 spectators thanks to a solitary goal from Former Adelaide United Striker Robbie Younis. Under Brown's reign, the club also reached the 2010 and 2012 NSW Premier League Grand Finals but lost to Blacktown City and Marconi Stallions respectively.

In the 2014 season the club won its Sixth Premiership, In 2015 the club reached and won its Fourth Grand Final defeating arch rivals Blacktown City 2–0 at Leichhardt Oval.

Colours and badge

Bonnyrigg White Eagles home colours have been the traditional red shirt, blue shorts and white socks since the club's inception. The away kit has seen changes from year to year and is currently white shirt, blue shorts and blue socks.

Bonnyrigg's Club Badge consists and a crowned double-headed White Eagle with a soccer ball over a boomerang in its centre. The badge is similar in design to certain elements of the Coat of arms of Serbia. This is overlaid over a red-blue-white background which mirrors the Club's main kit.

Stadium

Main article: Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Bonnyrigg White Eagles play their home matches at Bonnyrigg Sports Club in Bonnyrigg, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The ground dates back to May 1966 when 7 acres (28,000 m2) of land was purchased for the building of a social club and soccer grounds. Over the years the grounds were improved when in 1986 it became the permanent home ground for Bonnyrigg.

In 2001, an additional 1.2 hectares of land was purchased as part of a plan to renovate the club and expand the training grounds. This was completed in October 2005.

Rivalries

Sydney United

Bonnyrigg has a fierce rivalry with the Croatian backed Sydney United. The two clubs first met in the state leagues in the late 70's with then Sydney Croatia dominating almost most of the games between the two clubs. Avala and Croatia met in the Ampol Cup Semi Final in 1977 in which Avala defeated Croatia one goal to nil. The last time the two clubs would meet would be in 1983 with Croatia being promoted to the National Soccer League and Avala remaining in the State leagues.

After the demise of the National Soccer League in 2005 the New South Wales Premier league was formed pitting arch rivals Bonnyrigg and Sydney United. The first game was played at the Sydney United Sports Centre in which Bonnyrigg won, the winner coming from a young Milorad Simonović

The second clash between United and Bonnyrigg was moved to Parramatta Stadium due to crowd violence. The Eagles took the game out four goals to one. Bonnyrigg was demoted to the Winter Super League due to fan violence and would not meet Sydney United again until 2009.

Head-to-Head NSWPL (from 1977 to present)

Games: 32

Bonnyrigg White Eagles wins: 14

Sydney United wins: 14

Draws: 4

SSC Yugal

The club had a fierce rivalry with the Yugoslav backed SSC Yugal. This was mainly due to Avala being a Pro-Serbian club and SSC Yugal being a Pro-Yugoslav club. The games between the two clubs were at times met with fan violence.

The clubs would never meet again with SSC Yugal folding in the early 90's

Blacktown City Demons

Blacktown and Bonnyrigg are long time rivals with the history of both teams dating back to the 70's where they first met. Avala met Blacktown in the 1992 Grand Final which they took out two goals to nil. The clubs would meet again in the 1998 Grand Final in which the Demons would take out.

The games between the two have always been close and fierce. In the 2010 New South Wales Premier league season Bonnyrigg would be crowned premiers only to lose out to Blacktown in the Grand Final with a late winner from former Bonnyrigg player Tolgay Ozbey

Various other important rivalries over the years included matches against Marconi Stallions FC, Bankstown City FC, FC Bossy Liverpool, Parramatta FC, Northern Tigers FC and Canberra FC.

Supporters

Bonnyrigg White Eagles generally draws support from the Serbian diaspora, especially from the south-western suburbs of Sydney such as Bonnyrigg, Liverpool and Cabramatta.

The "Avala Boys", is the name given to the actively vocal supporters group of the soccer club.

Notable players and coaches

The following Bonnyrigg White Eagles players and coaches have also represented their country at international level.

Australia

  

Guinea

Mozambique

New Zealand

Philippines

  

Serbia

Nigeria

State, Schoolboy and Young Socceroos Representative Honours

 
  • Australia Trinity Allen
  • Australia Neil Williams
  • Australia Stewart Van Bentum
  • Australia Javier Mancino
  • Australia Vuko Tomasevic
  • Australia Alen Stajcic
  • Australia Vladimir Skataric
  • Australia David Reid
  • Australia Sasa Utjesenovic
  • Australia Paul Richardson
  • Australia David Harding
  • Australia Peter Vukmirovic
  • Australia Tony Trpcevski
  • Australia Jason Mammome
  • Australia Fernando Pellegrino
  • Australia David Petrovic
  • Australia Mark Nestorovic
  • Australia Danny Vukovic
  • Australia Ivan Necevski
  • Australia Jay Lucas
  
  • Australia Marc Hoenselaars
  • Australia Matthew Hunter
  • Australia Nikola Stanojevic
  • Australia Colin Luff
  • Australia Norman Tome
  • Australia Steve Angelov
  • Australia Michael Hawrysiuk
  • Australia Robert Angievski
  • Australia Jimmy Aschner
  • Australia Michael Baird
  • Australia Shane Knight
  • Australia Wayne Cootes
  • Australia Zlatko Donev
  • Australia Robert Gomez
  • Australia Ben Green
  • Australia Milan Gajic
  • Australia Martin Driene
  • Australia Chris Fleming
  • Australia Johnny Ghisso
  • Australia Fernando Greco
  • Australia David Vrankovic

Current squad

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2016 National Premier League NSW First Grade Squad

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

No. Position Player
1 Greece GK James Chronopoulos
2 Italy DF Alex Mansueto
4 Australia DF Reece Caira
6 Serbia MF Nikola Zonjić
7 Australia MF Tynan Diaz
9 Australia FW Robert Younis
No. Position Player
13 Australia MF Adam Jenner
15 Australia FW Ray Miller
17 South Korea MF Mun-soo Gil
18 Japan MF Yuta Kokada
19 Australia FW Aaron Peterson

Head Coach Australia Brian Brown

Assistant Coach Australia Cliff Pointer

Goalkeeper Coach Spain Jose Bello-Amigo

Team Manager Serbia George Mandić

Team Manager Australia Ian Arnott

President Serbia Jovo Prlić

Gear Steward Serbia Ratko Kajkut

Youth League Staff

Youth Coaches for the 2016 season

Grade 18

Grade 16

Grade 15

Grade 14

Grade 13

Grade 12

SAP U11

SAP U10

SAP U9

Club Officials

Management

Sports

Honours

Bonnyrigg's most notable achievements include;

All-time league table

Below is a table listing the combined regular season and finals matches season records. Cup matches are not included.

Current as of the end of the 2013 season.

Season League P W D L GF GA GD Pts
2015 National Premier Leagues NSW 22 13 4 5 49 35 14 43
2014 National Premier Leagues NSW 22 15 2 5 41 21 20 47
2013 New South Wales Premier League 22 13 4 5 44 30 14 43
2012 New South Wales Premier League 24 18 2 4 51 19 32 56
2011 New South Wales Premier League 23 8 9 6 34 25 9 33
2010 New South Wales Premier League 25 14 6 5 48 26 22 48
2009 New South Wales Premier League 22 6 8 8 28 39 −11 26
2008 New South Wales Super League 24 14 6 4 45 18 27 48
2007 New South Wales Super League 30 20 4 6 60 27 33 64
2006 New South Wales Super League 22 9 5 8 35 44 −9 32
2005 New South Wales Premier League 26 15 3 8 58 39 19 48
2004 New South Wales Premier League 22 7 2 13 33 39 −6 23
2003 New South Wales Premier League 25 12 6 7 49 38 11 42
2002 New South Wales Premier League 22 15 2 5 59 21 38 47
2001 New South Wales Premier League 20 12 5 3 51 25 26 41
2000 New South Wales Premier League 26 18 1 7 79 45 34 55
1999 New South Wales Premier League 24 15 1 8 69 45 24 46
1998 New South Wales Premier League 22 14 4 4 51 24 27 46
1997 New South Wales Premier League 24 13 3 8 53 30 23 42
1996 New South Wales Premier League 26 9 7 10 49 52 −3 34
1995 New South Wales Premier League 26 7 5–1* 13 32 33 −1 32
1994 New South Wales Premier League 22 11 1–0* 10 37 41 −4 35
1993 New South Wales Premier League 26 12 3–0* 11 51 38 13 42
1992 New South Wales Premier League 22 12 6–1* 3 39 19 20 49
1991 New South Wales Premier League 22 6 8–1* 7 29 29 0 35
1990 New South Wales Premier League 16 6 3 7 25 31 −6 15
1989 New South Wales Premier League 22 12 4 6 29 16 13 28
1988 New South Wales Super League 26 19 6 1 86 14 72 44
1987 New South Wales Super League 26 10 8 8 51 39 12 28
1986 New South Wales Premier League 22 6 5 11 20 32 −12 17
1985 New South Wales Premier League 22 7 7 8 25 24 1 21
1984 New South Wales Premier League 22 5 6 11 30 46 −16 16
1983 New South Wales Premier League 24 9 7 8 30 35 −5 25
1982 New South Wales Premier League 26 5 11 10 29 38 −9 21
1981 New South Wales Premier League 26 7 4 15 29 54 −25 18
1980 New South Wales Premier League 26 10 6 10 31 34 −3 26
1979 New South Wales Premier League 26 13 3 10 40 38 2 29
1978 New South Wales Premier League 26 8 4 14 29 45 −16 20
1977 New South Wales Premier League 22 7 8 7 31 26 5 22
1976 New South Wales Super League 22 18 2 2 54 22 32 38
1975 New South Wales Super League 22 13 3 6 41 32 9 29
1974 New South Wales Super League 22 7 6 9 24 28 −4 20
1973 New South Wales Division One 22 17 0 5 44 22 22 34
1972 records not available  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –
1971 records not available  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –
1970 New South Wales Division One 22 6 4 12 48 55 −7 16
1969 records not available  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –
1968 records not available  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –
Total 989 467 199 323 1777 1368 430 1438

* Note 1: From 1991 to 1995 league matches used penalty shootouts to decide drawn games at the conclusion of regulation time. As a result, the first number in the 'Drawn' column for these seasons denotes a penalty win and the second number denotes a penalty loss. Two points were awarded for a penalty victory, and one point for a penalty loss.

* Note 2: Up until the end of the 1990 season a win was only worth two points.

Club Top Goal Scorers

1999 NSW Super League – Colin Luff – 16 goals

2000 NSW Super League – Colin Luff – 27 goals

2001/02 NSW Premier League – Jimmy Aschner – 25 goals

2002/03 NSW Premier League – Aaron Burgees – 14 goals

2004/05 NSW Premier League – Tallan Martin – 16 goals

2006 NSW Winter Super League – Ivan Vojdović – 8 goals

2007 NSW Super League – Jason Kencevski – 24 goals

2008 NSW Super League – Ilkay Gurbuz and Daniel Willoughby – 7 goals

2009 NSW Premier League – Almir Dizdarić – 10 goals

2010 NSW Premier League – Brad Boardman – 15 goals

2011 NSW Premier League – Brad Boadrman – 10 goals

2012 NSW Premier League – Robbie Younis – 20 goals

2013 National Premier Leagues NSW – Robbie Younis – 18 goals

2014 National Premier Leagues NSW – Robbie Younis – 17 goals

2015 National Premier Leagues NSW – Robbie Younis – 13 goals

The treble

Bonnyrigg's most successful year in their history came about in the 1992 season, a year their fans will never forget. A squad mixed with youth and experience, and ably led by coach Mike Johnson, won the Minor Premiership, the NSW Premier League Grand Final as well as the NSW Waratah Cup.

To top that off, Bonnyrigg also completed a "quadruple" of sorts by claiming the Karadjordje Cup for that season as well.

Many have labelled this team one of the greatest to have ever played in New South Wales and one that would certainly rival Bonnyrigg's talented 2005 squad.

2004–05 season controversy

The 2004–05 season was marred by controversy when Serbian fans of Bonnyrigg and Croatian fans of neighbouring club Sydney United engaged in riots. At the height of tensions gunshots were fired at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club and a car was fire bombed at Sydney United's King Tomislav Croatian Club at Edensor Park.[1] The result was that the Football NSW had directed that all future games between the clubs must be held at a neutral venue.

Bonnyrigg lost 3–1 to Bankstown City Lions in the 2004/05 NSW Premier League grand final.

Despite finishing Grand Finalists in 2004/2005 and claiming the club championship, Bonnyrigg were not offered a position in the 2005/06 NSW Premier League season. The club's appeal of this decision failed and they competed in the Winter Super League for the next three seasons until promoted back to the highest level of competition in NSW for the 2009 season.

References

External links

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