(1961-1997) White Eagle Soccer Club

The White Eagle Soccer Club idea was contrived in 1960 and the club was formed on the 3^rd August 1961. The club managed to finish second in the 1962 Southern Division 2 and then gained promotion to the Southern Division 1 by winning the Division 2 premiership in 1963. Until 1977 the club only managed to finish above fourth place in this division once, in 1968 with a credible second place. 1977 saw the club entering a more successful couple of years, taking out the Southern Division 1 title in 1977 and in 1978 winning the inaugural State League. The first high level achievement in the club's early results. The Club’s 70's era was dependant on high spending and player movements, unlike the more recent times relying on player allegiances.

In 1980 the Club finished bottom of the State League with only one win and was relegated. They automatically returned to the new league in 1982 after winning the Rothmans League Division 1 Premiership in 1981, with one draw and no losses, to gain promotion. They consolidated their position in the league in 1982 under coach Eugene Mycak only to be relegated in 1983 following a season of few results. Eugene had a young inexperienced side which could not battle off relegation in a miserable season that included many injuries.

The year down in the Rothmans Division 1 resulted in the loss of a number of players to the Cadbury league competition. But new player coach Alister Paine was able to give his young players valuable experience. 1984 also observed the arrival of Neil Morrison, Les Ware and Scott Young, the later taking out the Club’s Best & Fairest award that year. The young side lost only one game and drew another to gain promotion to the Cadbury League for 1985 scoring 93 goals along the way.

The 1985 season with the return of Bob Rybak, Mark, Andrew and Richard Lesczcynski resulted in a credible fourth place. The team, under new coach Steve Darby, lacked consistency in their performance and results however and finished fourth.

Steve Darby’s efforts payed off in 1986 with the Premiership. This was not without tension, as the title was decided on the last day of the season. Eagle overcame Juventus to give themselves a chance but were reliant on Olympia defeating Croatia to win the league. Olympia after starting well were pulled back to 2-2, but with 10 minutes remaining Olympia provided two quick goals and Eagle with the premiership.

1987 under coach Bob Rybak also came down to the last match of the season after Eagle were on or near the top all year. However they lost to Juventus 4-3 and Olympia were Premiers and White Eagle were third. The club did manage to take out the Bohemian Statewide Cup, the Charity Shield and were also Premiers in the reserve competition.

1988 saw the introduction of 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and nil for a loss. And with the reintroduction of state league in 1988, Mark Lesczcynski had to take over as coach after a serious knee injury to Bob Rybak during the year. But the tougher, more determined side lost only one game to win the 1988 Premiership. They also were Cadbury Jubilee Trophy winners and runners-up in the summer cup.

The team was undefeated in its last fifteen 1988 roster matches and continued its run in the 1989 season remaining undefeated, under the returning coach Eugene Mycak, who was determined not to be remembered for his side’s relegation in 1983

A draw against Juventus was their only 1989 league blemish, finishing the roster 15 points ahead, gaining 45 out of a possible 54 premiership points. The team was runner up in the Cadbury Jubilee trophy and summer cup competitions, took out the Bohemian Statewide Cup 2-0 over Hobart Juventus and went on to become Premiers. The 1989 team had come from behind seven times to retain their record of 33 games unbeaten (29 wins, 4 draws). The Club standing was further highlighted with the reserves also taking out the Rothmans Division 1 premiership and the thirds team finishing second in the Rothmans Division 2.

Eugene coached the side to the Cadbury League Premiership again in 1990, finishing 10 points ahead of Hobart Juventus after the 24 games. This year also resulted in the Club’s first Summer Cup victory and a win in the Cadbury Charity Cup. The side ended its league undefeated run however with a 3-1 loss to Caledonians in the fourth round.

Eugene Mycak left to join rival club Hobart Juventus for the 1991 season. Peter Groenewoud, a highly ranked goalkeeper who joined the club in 1985 from Caledonians, also left at the end of the season to try out in Sydney with APIA Leichardt but to his misfortune only to suffer multiple knee problems.

The STSA formerly the TSA made a controversial decision regarding sponsorship for 1991 and struck an agreement with Rothmans, despite the National Soccer body’s movement away from cigarette advertising. Peter Irving took over the mantle as coach at the start of 1991 and keeper Zlatko Belanic transferred from Croatia Glenorchy after a stint out there due to injury. Zlatko had received a serious head injury in July 1989 requiring surgery but had returned to soccer in 1990 with Croatia.

The 1991 Winfield State League side took out the Charity Shield 2-1 over Juventus before again beating them 4-2 in the summer cup final. The side went from strength to strength and took out the Premiership also that year. The year was not without its drama with new coach Peter Irving walking out on the team in an away game against Ulverstone in June and new goalkeeper Zlatko Belanic suffering a depressed cheek bone fracture. But Mark Leszczynski stepped in again to successfully take on the coaching role and Alan Wisby was provided with his first chance in goals. The side was trailing Hobart Juventus by four points with 4 games to go but Juventus faltered against Devonport and Olympia, whereas Eagle had easy victories in its remaining games, including a previously forfeited game against Burnie.

Richard Leszczynski took out the goal scoring trophy and David Stoddart was second. The side was unsuccessful in the semi-final of the Statewide cup against Launceston Juventus at Riverside but the team under the new coaching regime won every league game. 1991 also hosted the presentation of the first Bill Jones Memorial Award which was awarded to Ingrid Leszczynski.

1992 sponsorship was provided by Wrest Point Hotel Casino and the reserve competition was made a state league competition as well in 1992. The season was a fiercely fought one with a final four series introduced to determine Premiers. There were 8 teams in the roster that included three rounds, unlike previous which was two rounds and included bye weeks.

Eugene Mycak returned to the club and Les Ware, having coached Division 1 at the club before, was appointed reserves coach. A solid pre-season training by Eugene helped the seniors secure the Summer Cup, the side were wearing a new strip which included the long shorts.

The team lost the Charity Cup on penalties but managed to secure the Cadbury Jubilee Trophy during the season. Miles Harry’s debut for the club was a highlight of a strong year in which the club finished second in the roster series to Devonport City. The team made it to the 1992 Grand Final but lost to Devonport 3-1. The club’s Division 3 side was promoted after winning their competition.

Bob Rybak was appointed senior coach in 1993 with Dale Itchins his assistant with Les Ware again Reserves coach. Frank Bansel took over the Presidency from David Stoddart Snr that year. David was awarded the Bill Jones Memorial Trophy later that year.

The seniors were runners up in the Summer Cup which saw the club debut of Martin Nidorfer, Matthew Holloway and Tuach Hussein. The shortened 14 game winter roster, which ended in August, resulted in the seniors finishing second again to Devonport. After caming back from 3-1 down they lost the Premiership Preliminary Final on penalties . The Reserves finished third in the roster and lost their finals chance with 1-0 scoreline from an own goal. The Division 2 side faired well in their new competition finishing fourth.

The switch to a summer roster began in November 1993 after the shorter previous winter season. The club appointed Dale Itchins as Senior team coach and Les continued with the reserves for the 93/94 summer season. The seniors won their first game against Croatia 6-0 which saw the return to the club of keeper Frank Mainella and new signing Colin Shepherd scoring with his first touch The year included an emphatic turn around from 0-3 to a 5-3 win against Olympia in February 1994. The side finished third in the table, beat Croatia in early April to win the Summer Cup and were runners up in the Grand final which was played in late April.

The Summer Statewide League continued in 1994/95. The club again had Mark Leszczynski as senior coach and appointed Chris Barrel as Reserves coach with David Stoddart Jnr appointed as president at the AGM in December 1994. Rick Turner arrived from Launceston Juventus to fit in to the back line. The season was a long an arduous one with the senior side ending up on top of the table after a good start to the season. After 3 years of finals disappointment the seniors successfully took out the premiership in 1995 with a victory over Launceston Juventus.

1996 was the year Clare Street was truly used as a home ground venue and was the end of the Summer roster with a 10 team competition returning to the usual winter scheduling(April to October). White Eagle was fielding 5 senior sides with teams in the top 4 competitions on offer, as well us under 13,14,15 and 16 sides. Mark Leszczynski returned as senior coach with Les Ware coming back for the reserves job with the departure of Chris Barrel. The senior side defeated Hobart Juventus 6-4 in normal time to win the Summer Cup. Won the Statewide Cup and finished minor premiers on top of the table. However the senior team lost the Premiership to Olympia in the Grand Final.

In 1997 Andrew Leszczynski took over the mantle as senior coach and welcomed new players Simon Goninon from University and Adrian Mann from Devonport. Both fitted in well and helped the club take out the Summer Cup and Cadbury Jubilee trophy. The team was able to meet all of the challenges thrown at it during the season and with 44 points win the Minor Premiership. Towards the end of the season with the Statewide Cup and Premiership Finals looming the senior side was hit with half a dozen injuries and called upon the club's depth. Michael Fong, Michael Murray, Marcus Proud were able to step up to help the side take out the Statewide Cup in a victory over Launceston Juventus and help the team make the Grand Final. Michael Fong and Miles Harry helping in the grand Final victory over Devonport 5-1. This was an emphatic victory with a hat-trick to Adrian Mann and two goals to Miles Harry.

The Reserve side were also victories during the year. Taking out there Summer Cup, the Minor Premiership and the premiership with a 2-0 Grand Final victory over South Hobart. The clubs third team, competing in the Southern Premier League also managed a credible third place.

Last revision Nov 97