Words: Michael Flynn, Football Queensland
Image: Getty Images

Olympic FC coach Jim Bellas admits he is extra proud of his club’s performance in the Westfield FFA Cup after sticking with the club prior to recent success.

Bellas, known affectionately as Dixie in local football circles, was a crafty attacker in local Brisbane competition in the 1980’s, and remained with Olympic after they were relegated from the top flight in 1990.

Asked if the 3-1 victory over Melbourne Knights was the greatest in club history, Bellas, ever the club man, put the result into perspective by taking the long view.

“Look, it’s a great night but the best night I ever experienced at Olympic was when we got promoted, because I was in the team that got relegated,” he explained post-match.

“I was the only one that stuck by Olympic and I promised that I would stay here until we got promoted.”

He added: “But tonight is fantastic for the whole club, it’s Australia wide and everyone sees us now. I hope everyone can see that Queensland football is good.”

Olympic won the match on the back of two first half goals from Jake McLean, before Mustafa Jafari sealed the win with a third goal late in the second half.

Bellas said all his players deserved the credit for the win and that many demonstrated they also deserved a shot at the A-League in future.

“These boys are hard-working and a lot of them can play A-League if given the opportunity,” he said.

“I wish they could sign the whole team so we could start start fresh again and then send more on – that’s what we’re all about, never hold anyone back.”

Bellas added that the cup win had to potential to further inspire the side as they seek to chase down league leaders Palm Beach Sharks in NPL Queensland, where Olympic currently sit in second place.

“The team’s buzzing at the moment. The past three or four weeks we have been doing very well and hopefully it will carry on until the end of the year,” he said.