Football United vs Soccer City

Welcome everybody to episode 42 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra/Australia who download this podcast. I must note that we do have some international listeners, so thank you for the people who download around the world. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages. Please note if you have any Illawarra soccer team pictures, newspaper articles, programmes or artefacts that you would like to share please get in contact with me.
This episode’s interviewee was born in 1955 in Oyster Bay in the Sutherland Shire, where he played for the Georges River Tigers in 1963. In 1966 Phil Luskan then moved to the North Sutherland Rockets. In 1967 Phil moved to the Illawarra as his Dad had a job down here in the area. Due to this move he joined the Dapto Olympic Football Club in the junior ranks. In 1970 as a 15 year old Phil was picked to play first grade at Dapto Olympic. Playing out of Lakelands Oval, Phil learnt the goalkeeping trade amongst men.
During this period Phil was additionally playing soccer at school and made the Southern Illawarra High Schools representative team. The Dapto High student then was selected along with other Illawarra players Mile Terziovski and Brian Dodd in the 1973 NSW Combined High Schools team. This team travelled to Adelaide to play in the Australian Championship, playing three games. The NSW team drew their 3 games and held onto the Australian Championship as they held it from the previous carnival. The highlight of this carnival was playing alongside future Socceroos in Mark Jankovics and John Kosmina.
Late in 1973 Phil started training with St George Budapest along players such as Jim Fraser, Manfred Schafer and Johnny Warren. Although a great experience, Phil decided to trial locally with Balgownie who were in the 2nd division of the state league. In 1974 after being selected by Balgownie he played under coach George Ramage at Balgownie Sportsground. In this stint he played with some great players that year and it culminated in Phil being award Balgownie Soccer Club’s player of the year and additionally in April 1974 Phil played with Balgownie against an Australian Second XI in a warm up game for the Australian team as part of their preparations for the World Cup in Germany that year. After the first few weeks of 1975 he stopped playing with Balgownie due to work and life commitments. He then returned to Dapto for a couple of seasons.
In 1977 he joined Figtree and it is here where he spent the rest of his soccer career. At Figtree, Phil spent time in both first grade and reserve grade and additionally was on the committee up until his retirement at the end of 1985 season. Here Phil spent just under ten years and amassed some fantastic friendships which endure through to today. And Phil is clear about the joy and ongoing friendships he has from his West Figtree playing days, which says a lot about him and the people at the club.
It was fantastic and a pleasure to interview Phil. My respect goes out to him and his wife Kate for allowing me into their home and giving up their time. Phil’s journey was a pleasure to record and I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Welcome everybody to episode 41 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. As always I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra/Australia who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages.
This episode’s interviewee started playing with Figtree Junior Soccer Club in 1990 when she was 10 years old. After three years of junior soccer Cath Lear had to stop playing due to girls not being allowed to play the sport past the age of 12.
Prior to talking to Cath about her move into senior soccer we talked about Cath’s other involvement in our sport with her Grandfather Peter Bannister. “Banno” as he was known, is a legend in Illawarra Soccer with Coniston as a player and for his lengthy time at University of Wollongong SC (where he wore many hats). In her teenage years Cath had a lot of involvement with her Grandfather helping him out at the University of Wollongong SC.
In the mid 1990s Cath joined the senior ranks when she signed with South Coast United where she developed her football, friendships and a rivalry with Oak Flats.After 4 seasons with South Coast United Cath moved to the Wollongong Wolves in 1999 to play state league football and challenge herself as a footballer.
Concurrently around this time Cath was at the University of Wollongong where she was studying for a teaching degree. Cath successfully represented the UOW at the University games playing football. During her time at UOW she represented the Eastern University Games team which toured New Zealand and she made a “Green and Gold” select team which toured China.
In 2003 she joined Woonona SC and played eight successful seasons. After her eight seasons at Woonona Cath then spent a few seasons at Balgownie Rangers FC where she played and in addition to this went into the player-coach ranks. Near the end of her time at Balgownie, Cath then moved onto the Football South Coast Womens Board, where she continues today striving hard for womens football in the region along with the other board members. Cath additionally had a year in 2017 as a referee in the womens competition, which shows you the passion and discipline she has for the womens game.
It was an absolute pleasure to interview Cath. My respect goes out to her for allowing me into her home and giving up her time. Her journey was amazing to record and I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Welcome everybody to episode 40 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. As always I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra/Australia who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages.
This episode’s interviewee John Bingham was born in 1949 in Ilkeston in the United Kingdom and started playing football with friends in his street at the age of 4. The spark that drove him to play football professionally was supporting and watching Nottingham Forrest as a boy and seeing the best players in the World at the City Ground.
John Bingham played football at primary school and high school. In high school he was chosen in the local representative team and during one of these representative games a scout from Charlton Athletic saw John play and asked him to go down to London for a trial. Charlton Athletic then offered him an apprentice professional contract at the age of 15 and this is where his professional career started.
In this first few years of his professional football career in England, John’s talent gave him the opportunity to trial for the England Youth team and after several trials, John at 18 years of age was selected for his country and played friendlies against Birmingham City, Sunderland and 2 internationals against France. Additionally at this point in time he moved to Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in England at the time. And he was signed by one of Manchester City’s greatest managers Joe Mercer. After a surreal experience training amongst internationals and playing in the reserves team for two years John moved on.
John then played for Oldham Athletic, Mansfield Town, Chester and Stockport County. In 1973 Jim Kelly, who had played and coached in Australia with South Coast United, asked John if he wanted to sign a 15 month contract with Safeway United in Australia. John then came out to Australia in June 1973.
John then played for Safeway United, Balgownie, Wollongong City and Fairy Meadow. He then went on to be a successful player-coach at Berkeley, Shellharbour Workers and Wollongong Macedonia.
At the end of 1986 John’s personal life had changed, which meant that John now had different life goals and coaching had dropped off his radar and in 1987 John stayed in the game by playing with Warilla Wanderers. He then went onto play with Fairy Meadow Italia, had a second coaching stint with Wollongong Macedonia and played with Corrimal Rangers.
John saw out his footballing days playing church league down in Kiama as a striker. John was tremendous to interview and I respect him for giving up his time and going through his footballing journey. I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing John and I hope you enjoy listening to this episode!

Welcome everybody to episode 39 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra and around Australia and the globe who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages. It is appreciated.
This episode’s interviewee Jan Cupa was born in 1957 in Barnsley, Yorkshire to an English Mother and Polish Father. In Yorkshire he played soccer informally amongst his friends in the village where he lived. Jan was 10 years old when he migrated to Australia in 1968. His Family first lived at Fairy Meadow Hostel and it was here where he first played organised soccer with the Fairy Meadow Hostel Soccer Club.
After leaving the Fairy Meadow Hostel Soccer Club, he then played junior soccer with Fernhill JSC at Reidtown and then went on to join Fairy Meadow in 1974 to play senior soccer as a 17 year old. After four good seasons Jan’s next move was to the Figtree Soccer Club where he spent most of his soccer life as a player. After 20 odd years of playing as an attacking player and helping West-Figtree on the committee, Jan left to play a bit of amateur and pub soccer.
In 2007 Jan re-joined the Illawarra soccer fraternity by being a team manager at Fernhill Football Club. It was here where he stayed for over 10 years helping out the youth and reserve grades as a team manager and additionally helping the club out where he could.
Jan was great to interview and I loved hearing about the clubs, coaches and players he spent time with, in particular the West-Figtree Soccer Club where Jan spent over two decades. And as can be heard by two former West-Figtree team mates he was well liked and respected. Thanks to Jan for allowing me into his home, I respect his hospitality and time. Please enjoy this podcast.

Welcome everybody to episode 38 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. As always I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra/Australia who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages.
This episode’s interviewee was born in 1928 and has had an enormous positive impact on the Illawarra soccer landscape for over 80 years. Neville Arrowsmith has played the game for Tarrawanna, Wollongong Technical College, the Illawarra District, Bellambi and Fernhill. In the 1950s he was involved with Fernhill’s Committee before spending over two decades on the Illawarra District Soccer Association as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Publicity Officer and Committee member with numerous delegate positions. And Neville was awarded Life Membership to the IDSA in 1963.
Neville was one of the foundation board members of the Wollongong City Wolves that saw the region back in the National Soccer League in 1980. And with the hard work he contributed along with the other foundation board members, he managed the Wollongong City youth team for 9 years and is a Life Member of the Club.
Over his soccer journey he has coached and managed Illawarra junior representative teams with great success and joy. Another aspect of Neville’s contribution to the game is his recording, publication and archiving of Illawarra soccer’s history, notably his book “An incomplete history of the 100 years of association football in the Illawarra District” and the Corrimal Rangers SC centenary book.
It is impossible in this introduction and the interview to cover the entire list of positions or impacts Neville has had on our game in the Illawarra. In the brief time I spent with Neville and his son Martin it was great to talk about some of his immense soccer journey. I feel honoured and humbled to have spent time with a man who has done so much and that has been an inspiration to my Illawarra soccer history work. My sincere thanks and respect go out to Neville and Martin for allowing me into Neville’s home and giving me the time to record this interview. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did recording it.

Welcome to part 2 of episode 37 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. In part 2, I continue to converse with John “Kraj” Krajnovic about his football journey. Sincere thanks to John for allowing me to speak with him for over 2 hours in his home, I sincerely respect his time. Please enjoy the second part to episode 37.

Welcome everybody to episode 37 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. As always I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra/Australia who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages.
This episode's interviewee grew up in Balgownie and started his football journey at Balgownie Junior SC. From here John Krajnovic developed a deep love for the game and for the goalkeeper position. After a junior career with Balgownie and representing Illawarra junior teams, John moved to Fairy Meadow United in the State League. At Fairy Meadow John proved himself amongst men, forged relationships and developed his craft.
After playing at Corrimal Rangers in 1987 and Wollongong Macedonia in 1988, John received a call from Sydney Croatia and it was here that John deservedly found himself playing in the NSL amongst Socceroos and quality NSL players. He took his opportunity and played 18 league games and multiple pre-season games in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In the 1990s he cemented himself as one of the premier goalkeepers in the Illawarra Premier League in particular with the Cringila Lions and in the latter part of his playing career he additionally started goalkeeper coaching.
Since retiring at the end of the 2000 season, John has developed as one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the region being a part of multiple clubs and entities such as Fernhill, the ISA, the Wollongong Wolves and of course coaching his children, something that was a delight for John.
The clear point for me in this interview is that John deeply cares and invests in the people/players who he trains and mixes with in the region. And it is this part of his personality which distinguishes him and is one of the reasons why he is successful and deeply respected in our community. As our interview spanned over 2 hours, I have split this podcast into two parts and although it might not be optimal for you the listener, I apologise but I couldn’t stop chatting to John about his amazing journey as a player and as a coach. Please enjoy part 1 of this interview.

Welcome everybody to episode 36 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. As I am putting together this introduction we are in the New Year and I wish all the listeners a Happy New Year and a safe 2020. As always I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners and the soccer public of the Illawarra/Australia.
This episode's interviewee although not originally from the Illawarra has entrenched himself as part of the Illawarra footballing community over the past 30 years. Richard Lloyd developed his passion for football early on in his life playing junior football with Padstow Heights and Catherine Fields, supported by his parents.
In this junior period he began being selected in representative teams, which augmented his development. Noting in this time Richard had interaction with the Johnny Warren soccer academy and the Pele soccer camps, which added to his enthusiasm.
At the age of 17 Richard had a vocational decision to make and this brought him to the Illawarra with State League club Fairy Meadow Italia. From this point in time he has stayed in the Illawarra and in the late 1980s he was signed up by the Wollongong City Wolves in the NSL. He played at the Wolves for several NSL seasons amassing 164 appearances, forming a lot of positive relationships, gaining the respect of his coaches, team mates, opponents and the supporters.
After the Wolves Richard played successfully in the NSW state league and the Illawarra premier league. Once his playing career ended Richard started his coaching career initially with his family at Balgownie JSC and then onto other projects and Clubs. What is clear with Richard’s coaching career is that he is positive and has a player-centric focus. And amongst his words about players, coaching and the Wollongong Wolves it is clear Richard has an unyielding passion for the game and wants the best for the football people of the Illawarra.
I absolutely enjoyed interviewing Richard and he is a measured and valuable football asset for the region. My sincere respect and appreciation go out to Richard and his Family for allowing me into their home and giving me the time to speak with him. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I enjoyed interviewing Richard.

Welcome everybody to episode 35 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. As I am recording this introduction we are coming to the end of the year and I would like to sincerely thank all the interviewees, listeners, football public of the Illawarra/Australia and of course my family.
Approximately 14 months into this podcast journey and it has been an absolute delight to meet and interview people who have shaped our game in the Illawarra. Although my interviewing and producing techniques are slow to improve, I sincerely appreciate the listeners in the Illawarra, Australia and around the world.
This episode's interviewee has a name which is synonymous with soccer in the Illawarra. His Family has been a part of Illawarra soccer for over 50 years in various areas of the code. David Naylor came out from the United Kingdom in the 1960s with his Family and since then has impacted positively as a player, committee member, administrator, coach and referee.
David has many attributes that make him a great clubman, team member, referee and administrator. However for me David’s greatest asset is that he has a selfless mindset and he serves our great game with not wanting anything in return. David has put in copious hours into various parts of our game and has put his heart and soul into the roles he has undertaken. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with David it was a pleasure to record his journey.
My sincere respect and appreciation go out to David and his wife for allowing me into their home. I hope you enjoy this podcast!

Welcome everybody to episode 34 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. Slowly but surely the catalogue of interviews is piling up and it is a credit to the soccer people of the Illawarra who have put their hand up to be recorded. The memories, journeys, stories and facts recorded will be a useful resource later down the track for their families, our soccer community and for others.
For the regular listeners and one-off listeners I truly appreciate your support, it is an additional motivating factor to record these interviews knowing that 60 to 150 people are listening to different episodes.
This episode's interviewee had an ability to score a goal, coach successful teams and make a grand final or two. Kevin Lewis came out from Wales with his Family in the early 1970s and has made an impact as a player, a committee member and as a coach.
Due to Kevin’s humility it may not come across in the interview, but Kevin was an excellent striker in the Illawarra Premier League in the 1980s with Bulli Soccer Club. He collected the Illawarra Premier League first grade top goal scorer award twice in 1985 and 1988. Additionally he was part of the very successful Bulli Soccer Club first grade team during the 1980s that won league championships and won a grand final.
The passion Kevin has for the game can be heard in his voice during the interview and by listening to his soccer resume, which is immense. Well respected in the Illawarra soccer fraternity, Kevin is a man who keeps volunteering and achieving in many ways for the clubs he has been involved with and it was an absolute pleasure listening to his journey.
My sincere respect and appreciation go out to Kevin and his wife for allowing me into their home. I hope you enjoy this podcast!
Episode 34 of the Football united vs Soccer City podcast is done and dusted. Kevin is a wonderful man in many ways and still has a presence in the game to this day, which I think is a positive for Illawarra football. I sincerely appreciate and respect the time given by Kevin and his wife. As always thank you for listening and downloading this podcast. I am your host Travis, good bye for now.