THE PANCRETAN SOCCER TEAM “ CRETE “

In 1986 Michael and Kyriakos Lilikakis suggested to the Committee of the Pancretan Association to create the football team would be an attraction for all the Cretans in Victoria, but also for the local Greek talents in the region generally. The idea was welcomed and commended by the Committee and in the same year the created an amateur football team called ” Cretan Soccer Club “.

In the adjacent block of land to the west of the Cretan Village was leased by the Association. This in turn formed a perfect pitch with facilities for day and night matches the cost of which amounted to approximately $ 100,000.

The Team quickly progressed with the support of the first board comprised of : Athanasios Salahas, Michael Lilikakis, Pantelis Mihelakis, George Astrinakis, Dimitris Papadimitrakis, Michael Mihelakis and Kostas Paterakis.

During its 16 years of existence, the group went through many obstacles and in 1990 won second place in the amateur championship and  climbed to Division D’ in the Provisional League. In 1991  they won the championship moved onto   Division C.

In 1993,  the Pancretan Soccer Team ” CRETE ”  acquired Hawthorn Pelopas Soccer Club, jumping automatically in Division A of the State League. It was a year of triumphs as the Team took 2nd place in the league, won the Provisional League Cup  and moved to the difficult  the State League area. The first two years the Team tried to adapt to a demanding and  very difficult league.

Under the supervision of coach Manos Milios, the Pancretan Soccer Team won three consecutive championships since the section from 1997 to 1999. Unfortunately at the end of 2002, the government needed the land that occupied the 2 Soccer pitches   so it can make way for a new freeway, leaving the Club without a Soccer Grounds.

Initiative was taken to try and create a unification of the Pancretan Soccer Team with the East Richmond Jaguars Soccer club. Unfortunately due to ill feel from the people at East Richmond the proposed merger failed hence bringing the end to a glorious 16 year history for the Pancretan Soccer Team.

It is worth mentioning that most times, the Pancretan Soccer Club boasted over 10 Junior Level teams of which they later grew up to be great champions with the sport of Soccer.

Presidents of the football Club that served included : Salahas Athanasios Lilikakis Michael, Leontakis Manolis, George Psarakis, Theodorakis John, George Paterakis of Epimenides, Ligydakis John, Manolis Mihelakis, Pantelis Psaros.

The coaches that have served the Pancrean Tennis Club include : Kyriakos Lilikakis, John Moutafis, Ioannis Kostopoulos, Henry Sass and Manos Milios.

Sponsors of the team from time to time were the following companies : Montague Body Repairs, Modernline, Nikpol, Victoria Cabinets, Grecian Tours, Ausgas, Southern Motors, Perry’s Packaging and Active Car Detailing.

SOCCER TEAMS OF THE PAST

2011

Standing from the left: Nikos Markogiannakis, Kostas Paterakis, Tom Valtas, Sifis Tsourdalakis, Jack Androulidakis, Tim Dakis, Christos Pirgolios, Nikos Koukouvitakis, John Trakakis, Michae Karamitos (Coach). Sitting from the left: John Kanesoulis, John Zoumis, Jim Paterakis, Steve Ferentinos, George Michailides, Jim Menelaou, Steve Lazaridis, John Papadimitriou, George Psihountakis (Captain)

2010

2009

2007

2004

2003

2000

1998

1998

1998

1998

1997

1997

1994

1992

1991

1990

1989

1989

1989

1987

1986