2011 was the year of Lugarno FC, not only did it result in a successful Premier League victory, but it also wiped away the heart-break of 5 consecutive finals losses over the 3 year prior.

After a most disappointing 2010 year, there a renewed level of enthusiasm and commitment shown by all the players in 2011, and this was evident from Day 1 of training.  The goal for 2011 was to re-establish Lugarno FC as one of the dominant forces in the St George Association Premier League competition.

First grade qualified for the semi-finals in 2nd position, after being near the top of the table for all season. A 1-0 loss to Connells Point in Week 1 of the finals mean that everything was on the line in the Final against Carlton Rovers. The team went into the 2nd half a goal behind, but quickly turned the game around to lead 2-1. Unfortunately a few contentious decisions went against the boys in orange, with the team denied a clear penalty and Carlton equalizing from what looked like a blatant offside. The game went to extra-time and in this period the team really stood tall, with a goal from Matt Faulkner resulting in the team winning 3-2. However, the 120 minutes did leave a few scars, and there were a number of experienced players in serious doubt for the Grand Final the following week, including captain Mark Lewis who tore his hamstring and was ruled out of the last game.

The Grand Final was against our arch nemesis Connells Point, who had beat us in week 1 of the finals. The game was at Bicenntenial Park, and whilst it was not the greatest game of football technically, the commitment from all players on both sides made it an absolute thriller till the end. With the number of injuries the squad had, and the fact Connells had beaten us 3 times during the season, it was critical that we scored the first goal – and this is just what happened.After excellent lead-up play from Mitchell Davies and Matt Faulkner, it was Aidan McIntyre who curled a brilliant shot past the Connell’s keeper about mid-way through the first half. Lugarno FC was up 1-0 and it was just the confidence boost we needed, and we controlled the game to go 1-0 up into the break.

As expected, Connell’s came out strong in the second half and just when it seemed like we had weathered their early storm, they grabbed a scrappy equalizer from a corner at around the 60min mark. The next 30 minutes was riveting stuff with both teams giving it 100%. With clear-cut changes at both ends hard to come by, it looked like a single goal either way would decide the contest. The 90 minutes ended and it was still 1-1, meaning we were going to extra time (again!). But this time we needed the win, because if we were to draw, Connell’s position on the table meant that it was good enough for them to win the title.

The first period of extra-time ended scoreless and it was evident that both sides were clearly running out of steam. Fortunately, one of the strengths of our squad all year was our depth off the bench, and this came to the fore at the right time of the season. All 5 subs were used and with 7 minutes to go, a Connells Point hand-ball in the penalty area gave Lugarno the chance to reclaim the lead from the penalty spot. Up stepped Callan Patrick….the man who 2 years earlier had missed a penalty against the same opposition in a Finals loss. Callan showed nerves of steel, and calmly slotted home the ball into the back of the net, exercising the demons from the past – it was now 2-1 to Lugarno and we were so close…… but there was still 7 minutes to go!!!

The next 7 minutes (which the referee extended to 9 minutes) was torture as we hung on and Connells pushed everyone forward looking for an equalizer that would have won themthe title. To their credit, the boys from Lugarno remain composed (far more composed than those of us on the bench!) and the crowd erupted when the full-time whistle blew.

Lugarno FC had finally claimed the illusive Premier League First Grade title that had never before been won in the clubs history, and has not been won since. The emotion displayed by the players and the crowd clearly showed what this result meant, not only to the Premier League squad, but to everyone associated with Lugarno FC. There was more than a tear shed both on and off the field in those few minutes immediately after full time!!!!

To win the competition in 2011 was an amazing achievement after 2010, when we finished 8th and only 2 points away from relegation. However, in hindsight what happened in 2010 was probably just what the team needed to shake them up after reaching the Final in both 2008 & 2009. There was a renewed steel about this team all year, and this was clearly evident in the extra-time period of both the Final and Grand-Final. The team was simply not going to be denied in 2011!!!

There were plenty of individual awards for the Premier League that year, with Nathan Orazi being the Premier League Player of the Year, and Coach & Manager awards going to Tome Briskovski and Jordan Thompson, both in their debut seasons at the club.

2011 was the clubs most successful year ever. Not only did the club with the First Grade Premier League competition for the first time, but the Reserve Grade team also made the grand final (unfortunately going down 2-0 against ASOW). But their fantastic result also meant that Lugarno FC also won the Premier League Club Championship for only the 2nd time ever in the club’s history!

Whilst every player in the entire Premier League squad deserves their credit for the victory, a special mention must go to Player/Coach Borce (Bill) Krkovski, and Team Manager Ian Faulkner, both of whom will go down in the club’s history as bringing the first ever men’s Premier League First Grade premiership to the club.

We Are Lugarno!

Ian Faulkner - Coach