Of Best and Fairests of 1990

Leading votes in the 1990 League Best and Fairests

The above link is to another scan of a document from the archives, this time leading votegetters in the 1990 Victorian, Provisional and Amateur League Best and Fairest Awards.

In the First Division of the Victorian League, Werribee City's Stephen Hackett was the winner, by two votes from Maribyrnong Polonia's Bogdan Bonk. It was a big effort from Bonk in a relegated side, and two years later he would help guide North Geelong to the VPL Championship, taking out the VPL Gold Medal at the same time. Others amongst the votes include future A-League coaches, a Four Diego and various club legends. Hackett would repeat his success the following year.

George Campbell of Nunawading City took out the award in Division Two, by a clear six votes. It was an illustrious beaten brigade, with Richmond's Jim Maclean (former VSL Rothman's Medal Winner and Bill Fleming Medal Winner) and Keilor's Tommy Cumming (two-time VSL Rothman's Medal Winner and two-time Bill Fleming Winner) in the top six. Maclean would go on to win the award the following season.

Moorabbin City's Tommy Fox claimed the Third Diviison award by a vote from five equal runner's-up. Iain Stirton, who would soon transfer to Moorabbin, was the leading votegetter for Seaford United. Here he is carrying his son David (current NPLV star with Bentleigh Greens) off the pitch after Moorabbin's 4-1 win at Eltham/Diamond Valley United in 1994, in which he scored twice.

Boronia's Gary Radcliffe was the winner in the Fourth Division, by a margin of three points from East Brunswick/Ivanhoe's Bobby McGuinness. Both clubs no longer exist in the State League landscape, like others in the division that year including Regent, Springvale Condors, Karingal United, Ferntree Gully and Hawthorn Citizens. Rosanna became Banyule City, Oakleigh Suburbs have a link to the current Box Hill United and Hamlyn Rangers became Geelong Rangers.

Stan Webster of South Dandenong (now Dandenong Thunder) was triumphant in the Provisional League Division One award by eleven votes from team-mate Hasan Sepetci. In Provisional League Division Two the winner was Lyndale United's Ivam Grgas. Bruno Maiolo was the victor in Provisional League Division Three.

From Provisional League Division Two, Ballarat would rise to the NPLV. South Springvale had yet to start their Cup giant-killing, with Frankston United later to become Peninsula Strikers with Brintons, Kew Eagles and Ascot St.Marks fading into oblivion.

It was a one-two in the Amateur League Division One award for Waverley Wanderers, with Ian Blackhurst pipping Marcus Creak by a vote. Eamon Beamish of Old Scotch was tied for eighth. He currently coaches the club in State League Division Two South East.

Cretan's Michael Koutsakis won the award for Amateur League Division Two. Cretan would become South Wantirna and rose up a few divisions before disbanding when their ground was acquired for the building of the Eastlink Freeway.

The Minutes of 105 Minutes of the VSF Board of Management, 1990

Whilst making some shelf space in the office at Kevin Bartlett Reserve last year, I came across many lever arch folders containing VSF correspondence from across the 1980's and 1990's. Back then Management Committees comprising of members elected from various club nominees, and the entire VSF Board would set the agenda for the Executive Director and his VSF staff to follow. It seems a bit more transparent than today's FFV, with minutes recorded and sent to all clubs.

So here is my review of the Minutes of a Board of Management Meeting held at Soccer House on Tuesday 24th April 1990 at 6.00 pm.

Those present were the VSF Chairman, Cav V.Cilauro (Santo's old man), and Board of Management Members (Messrs J.Docherty, A.Cikoja, N.Love, T.Bailey, L.Strafrace, G.Vasilopoulos, G.Zafiropoulos and P.Karak) as well as Mr J.Dimtsis (VSF President), Mrs A.McPhee and Mr J.Kriaris (VSF Vice Presidents), Messrs E.Heath and A.Kovac (VSF Patrons) and Mr M.Weinstein (VSF Honorary Life President). In attendance was Premier League Management Committee Chairperson Mrs L.De Marchi. Mr J.Branov had taken a Leave of Absence.

The first order and resolution of the meeting was to receive and adopt the minutes of the Board of Management Meeting from the 10th of April.

The Executive Director's Report began with an Obituary for the passing of noted former soccer journalist and player Mr Alex Barr. Mr Eric Heath had represented the Federation at the funeral. The Executive Director stated the Sunraysia Soccer Association was organising a Soccer Carnival for late September with further details to be forwarded to the Federation in due course. A full report on the Vic Health Super Clinic held at Olympic Park (attended by 150 junior players) was to be submitted to the Board by the State Director of Coaching.

Item iv) was a disciplinary matter, with Provisional League Division One club Westmeadows SC having been expelled from the Federation. The case was still subject to appeal. A media function was to be held on Monday 30th of April at Vassilis's Restaurant in Abbotsford, with all members of the Board of Management invited to attend. A verbal report was given of the business discussed by the Tours Sub Committee on the forthcoming International Game between Australia v Hajduk Split in Melbourne on Wednesday 6th June 1990. It was resolved that Mr J.Docherty would the Liaison Officer for the Australian Team and Mr A.Cikoja perform the same role for Hajduk Split.

The Executive Director stated the reasons for the non-attendance of a referee at the St Albans v Melbourne J..U.S.T. game. I am assuming it was he feared for his life, as the reason stated is not recorded.

The Chairman's Report briefed everyone on forthcoming meetings with the ASF. He was impressed by the arrangements made at a Media Conference arranged by the NSL for the NSL Cup Final, and thanked Mr Strafrace for standing in for him during the period of time that he was ill. He then proposed a television show called Santo, Sam and Ed's NSL Cup Fever. Or I just made that up.

Minutes from the 10th of April Promotion/Marketing Sub Committee Meeting were received. Matters arising resolved that estimated expenditure of $30,000 was required for the Gold Medal Presentation and this was endorsed. Liaison Officers for sponsorships were allocated thus: Vic Health Promotion Foundation - Messrs V.Cilauro/G.Wallace Admiral - Mr J.Docherty Mitre - Mr J.Kriaris Travel - Mr A.Cikoja.

Then there was more minutes spent on minutes from the Junior League Management Comittee. A sub rule regarding Voting Structures for the Member Clubs General Metting due on May 3rd was replaced.

Incoming  Correspondence was then discussed. Mr P.Gude, MP's updating of Liberal Party Sport and Recreation Policy was to be dealt with by the Executive Director. The Media Statements from the NSWSF were Noted. The Executive Director was also to take action on the letter from Lambert Bain regarding the VSF Public Liability Policy.

Action had already been taken on the Advice Amendments to Rules (Nominee Members) from Williams, Winters & Higgs. Myrtleford SC requested for permission to play in the Albury Wodonga League, with the club to be referred to correspondence already sent on the matter.

The RSL acknowledged the Donations for Anzac Day Games. The CLSA correspondence about sponsorship for the 1990 Country League Championship was referred to the next meeting. Notification of the ASF Executive Meeting on Friday 18th May was Noted, as was the Resignation of Federation's President from NSWSF. Athletic Echo Publications requested for adverts for Vic Health etc and this was to be referred to the Promotion/Marketing Sub Committee. Mr S.Radojevic was requesting a change of player status, and he was granted permission to change from Non Amateur to Amateur Player Status provided that all Resolutions of the Federation as applicable for such a change of player status are met.

The Aussie Sportsfund Training Camp letter from Sport & Recreation Victoria was Noted, as was a request from South Springvale SC to fill a vacancy in Provisional League Division One. The Executive Director was to take action on the Minister for Sport & Recreation's correspondence regarding Anzac Day Games.

The meeting closed at 7.45 pm. The minutes were signed by the Executive Director, G.F.Wallace.