Southern Suburbs
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| Full name | Southern Suburbs Soccer Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Pythagoras, Suburbs |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Ground | Keeley Park, South Clayton |
| League | Victorian State League Division 2 South-East |
Southern Suburbs was an Australian soccer club from Clayton, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The club was formed in 1979 as Oakleigh Suburbs by local Greek Australians. The club then changed their name to South Caufield in 1992, and finally to Southern Suburbs in 2004. In December 2010, Southern Suburbs merged with Box Hill United to form Box Hill United Pythagoras.
The club was formed in 1979 by members of the PanSamian Youth club and competed in the District League (now the Victorian Amateur League). The club was known as Murrumbeena Pythagoras Soccer Club. The club chose the name Pythagoras after the famous mathematician who was born in Samos, Greece. The clubs first coach was Manos Milios (well known coach and journalist).
The following year, the club changed its name to Oakleigh United; however this was to only last a few years before the club became known as Burwood United. In 1984, the club was promoted to Provisional 3.
Another name change followed in 1986 as did the move to Keeley Park in Clayton South (current home). The club was now called Oakleigh Suburbs and under this name the club went on to achieve multiple promotions in its so-called "golden era". The club achieved promotion for five years in a row from 1987 to 1991. In 1991 the club was crowned champions of State League 3 under the coaching of Tony Gatzonis and were promoted to State 2 for the 1992 season. Paul Tzintzis was the top scorer in the 1991 championship winning team with 12 goals while George Pashalakis was the long time Team Manager.
The clubs Keeley Park ground was however not of a sufficient standard to compete at this level and the club was forced to rent Caulfield City’s Princess Park ground in order to be allowed to compete in State 2. The club maintained Keeley Park as its training and junior’s venue however changed its name to South Caulfield to reflect the location of the new senior ground. After a slow start in 1992 the club followed up with solid performances in 1993 & 1994 and even had former Socceroo & South Melbourne star Con Boutsianis on loan for half a season. George Varayiannis was the President from 1988–1996. It was also in the early mid 1990s that goalkeeper Peter Zois played before the club before going overseas to the Netherlands. Another players to make his mark in the early 1990s was 1993 and 1995 club top scorer Carlos Romero who was signed from Mordialloc.
The club was relegated in 1994 despite finishing seventh as it was no longer able to use Caulfield City’s ground and had to find a new ground that was again suitable for State 2 competition. A proposed deal with another State 2 club (that had already been relegated) was aborted at the last minute by that club leaving Pythagoras to be relegated and the other club being reinstated to State 2. It was a bitter pill for Pythagoras to swallow as it was demoted back to play in the State 3 competition. After a couple of solid seasons in State 3 during the mid 1990s the club was eventually relegated in 1997 and competed in State 4 during 1998. Unfortunately the club was now on a downward spiral and was also relegated in 1998 and also 1999 ending up in Provisional 2 for season 2000. Club presidents from 1997–1999 were Con Tripodis and Xen Kariatoglos.
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