APIA Tigers and Marconi Stallions to go head-to-head

The Apia Tigers and the Marconi Stallions both compete in New South Wales’ National Premier Leagues (NPL).

While the Tigers, with president Tony Raciti at the helm, have been ranked highly for some time, the Stallions have recently emerged from a slump, ranking sixth with 15 points.

These victories have undoubtedly raised morale and the team is eagerly awaiting the chance to prove itself against the Tigers on Saturday night, though it is not tipped to win.

If there is one game the Tigers do not want to lose, it is the match against the Stallions.

The APIA (Associazione Polisportiva Italo-Australiana) Tigers began their impressive legacy in 1954, and dominated the Leagues from 1964 until 1974, winning numerous trophies.

The team has won five championships - in 1964, 1966, 1967, 1975 and 2017 - and were named runners-up eight times.

It has won six grand finals - in 1964, 1965, 1969, 1976, 2002-2003 and 2019.

In addition, the APIA Tigers have won the Waratah Cup five times - in 1962, 1966, 1975, 2013 and 2018 - and the Johnnie Warren Cup in 2007.

The APIA Tigers won the National Soccer League title in 1987, the Australian Cup in 1966 and the National Soccer League Cup in 1982 and 1988.

Over the years, many impressive players have graced the field at Lambert Park, namely: John Giacometti, Riccardo Campana, Pat Hughes, Cliff Van Blerk, Leopold Baumgartner, Joe Marston, George Keith, Stan Ackerly, Archie Blue, Ernie Campbell, Adauto Iglesias, Johnny Watkiss, Jarosh Karl, Jimmy Rooney, George Blues, Billy Rogers, Peter Ollerton, Terry Butler, William Wallace, John Doyle, Col Bennett, Filippo Bottalico, Peter Wilson, Grey Woodhouse, Ian Gray, Phil O’Connor, Sebastian Giampaolo, Arno Bertogna, Gary Van Egmond, Peter Tredinnick, Tom McCulloch, Tony Pezzano, Jean Paul De Marigny, Peter Katholos and Charlie Yankos.

Interestingly, several of these men have also played for the Marconi Stallions.

Two Italian Serie A have also played for the APIA Tigers: Francesco (Ciccio) Graziani and Rosario Rampanti.

Previously known as Marconi Fairfield, the Marconi Stallions made their first appearance in youth soccer in 1958.

The amateur team was then set up in 1961 and won the championship with an eight-point lead.

In 1970, the Marconi Stallions debuted in the NSW state championship, subsequently winning titles in 1972, 1973 and 1976.

In 1977, the club, along with 13 other teams, formed the National Soccer League.

The Marconi Stallions came second in 1978, losing to the Eastern Suburbs’ Hakoah Sydney City, but won the title in 1979, and the NSL Cup in 1980.

The team competed in five grand finals - in 1988, 1989, 1989-1990, 1992, and 1993 - only losing at the 1989-90 match.

Under the guidance of Manfred Schaefer in 1995, the Marconi Stallions won the title in 1995, but lost the grand final, beaten by the Melbourne Knights 2-1 at Melbourne’s Olympic Park.     

Throughout its illustrious history, the Marconi Soccer Club has won four NSL titles - in 1979, 1988, 1989 and 1992 - one NSL Cup in 1980, three NPL Premier Championships - in 1972, 1973 and 2012 - and one NPL Premiership in 2017.

The team has been blessed with a host of standout players over the years, including: Gastone Moschen, Bertie Mariani, Renato Colusso, Rene Licata, Darren Iocca, Steven Calderan, Jon Angelucci, Les Scheinflug, Ray Richards, Ernie Campbell, Colin Curran, Peter Wilson, Max Tolson, Paul Degney, Gary Byrne, Peter Sharne, Alan Maher, Ivo Prskalo, Jimmy Rooney, Stuart Selvage, Roberto Vieri, Angelo Colombo, Andrea Icardi, Matteo Colucci, Mark Jankovic, Eddie Krncevic, Tony Henderson, Raul Carrizo, Peter Raskopolous, Ron Corry, Ian Hunter, Rod Brown, Ian Gray, Robert Catlin, Zlatko Nastevski, Paul and Klaus Okon, Frank Farina, Gerardo Gomez, Paul Carter, Paul Wheatley, Gary Van Egmond, Peter Katholos, David Lowe, Vince Colagiuri, Fred De Jong, Mark Schwarzer, Jean Paul De Marigny, Steve Corica, David Seal, Luke Casserly, John Markowski, Andy Harper, Kim Taliadoros, Matthew Bingley, Ufuk Talay, Darren McDonald, Brad Maloney, Frank Awaritefe, Craig Foster and Domenic Longo.   

Both the APIA Tigers and the Marconi Stallions have contributed to the great history of Australian football, represented by the many trophies both teams have won, and it is hoped that the turnout on Saturday night will make the upcoming match one to remember.