Wollongong United FC
Wollongong United FC is an Australian soccer club based in Wollongong, currently participating in the Illawarra Premier League. The club played in the 1991 season of the National Soccer League under the name Wollongong Macedonia, where it finished last.
Full name | Wollongong United Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | Lions, United, WUFC, Macedonia | ||
Founded | 1976 | ||
Ground | Macedonia Park | ||
Capacity | 10,000 | ||
Chairman | Peter Vrtkovski | ||
Manager | Yani Sekolovski | ||
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History
Formed in 1976 by the "Macedonian Orthodox Community of Wollongong", the club was originally established on behalf of the Macedonian Australian community of Wollongong. With a huge supporter base, the club was originally known as Wollongong United Soccer Club. Since then it has also been known as Wollongong Macedonia, as represented in the National Soccer League (NSL) 1990.
Upon entering the Premier League in the Illawarra Second division, the club quickly advanced in 1980 to enter the NSW Second division, finishing second at season end on its first attempt.
In 1986, the club reached the top competition in NSW Division 1, today known as NSW National Premier League. Wollongong United F.C completed the season undefeated, to this day, the only club in NSW to do so (Except for Eastern Suburbs Hakoah in 1971 and Croatia Sydney in 1981). In 1990 the club claim their first title in NSW Division 1 History, This success led the club to the pinnacle of Australian soccer.
1991–2004
Between 1991 and 2004, the club played in the NSW State League with a strong, consistent representation in both junior and senior ranks.
In 2004 the club evaluated its position and it was deemed, in the best interests of the club, its members, supporters and sponsors to return to the local Illawarra Football Association. In 2005, the club competed in the IFA First Division with an aim to return to the IFA Premier League. Wollongong United finished second and gained promotion into the Premier League for the 2006 season. It is still in the Premier league.
Notable former players
Mile Sterjovski – Australian international Marshall Soper – Australian international Stephen Laybutt – Australian international Scott Chipperfield – Australian international Michael Reda – Lebanon international Zlatko Nastevski – Australian international Greg Brown – New Zealand international
Honours
- NSW 1st Division Champions - 1990
- NSW 1st Division Premiers - 1990