Box Hill (1925 - 2010)

Box Hill United entered the Victorian Division 4 in 1925 and went through the season, losing one game and drawing one game, as they became champions and won promotion to division 3 for the 1926 season. This season proved to be just as successful as they once again became league champions this time losing just two games throughout the season. The following year they participated in the Victorian District League, where they finished fourth. The league was then suspended for three seasons before restarting in 1931. Box Hill were once again crowned champions and moved up to division one. After a couple solid seasons placing mid table, the league was again suspended due to World War II.

When the league restarted in 1946 Box Hill remained in Victoria's top division, until 1961 when they were relegated to division two. In this period Box Hill were once crowned champions (1948) and once finished runners up (1950). Over the next 20 years the club remained mainly in the second division, achieving promotion to the state league for just 4 seasons.

From the 1983 season until they were relegated in 1990, Box Hill achieved 3 top 5 finishes. After being relegated it would take three seasons for Box Hill to return to the state league (which was now known as the Victorian Premier League) in 1995. Finishing ninth in 1995 and then twelfth in 1996, they then merged with Bulleen Lions and Brunswick Juventus to form the Bulleen Inter Kings.

From their foundation in 1922 until their merger in 1996, Box Hill had won 9 Championships and 11 promotions. Winning the Victorian State League title on just one occasion in 1948, and finishing in second place on two occasions.

Box Hill also fields a team in the Victorian Women's Premier League competition. Box Hill's women have enjoyed enormous success since the turn of the century, winning the first of their six WPL titles in 2001. Fourth in 2002, The club then reclaimed its title in 2003, beginning a run of four straight championship wins. Heidelberg United defeated Box Hill in the 2007 Grand Final to break the winning sequence but Inter avenged that loss in 2008 to win back its crown under the careful guidance of coach Ariel Perez Reigosa. In 2009 Jeff Hawkins was appointed as Senior Womens Coach and since then he has coached the team to a further two Championships, both against Heidelberg United.

During the same period, Box Hill players have also claimed the WPL's Gold Medal for player of the season on four occasions; Louisa Bisby in 2003, Anthea Vardakas in 2005, Georgia Koutrouvelis in 2006, and in 2008 there was a tie between Vardakas and teammate Daniela Digiammarco.

WPL Champions: 2001 (First-past-the-post) 2003 (First-past-the-post) 2004 (Defeated Cranbourne Comets 1-0 in Grand Final) 2005 (Defeated Cranbourne Comets 1-1 [4-3 on penalties] in Grand Final) 2006 (Defeated Heidelberg United 1-0 in Grand Final) 2008 (Defeated Heidelberg United 1-0 in Grand Final), 2009 (Defeated Heidelberg United 2-0 in Grand Final), 2010 (Defeated Heidelberg United 2-1 in Grand Final).

 

Southern Suburbs Pythagoras (1979 - 2010)

The club was formed in 1979 by members of the PanSamian Youth club and competed in the District League (now the Victorian Amateur League). The club was known as Murrumbeena Pythagoras Soccer Club. The club chose the name Pythagoras after the famous mathematician who was born in Samos, Greece. The clubs first coach was Manos Milios (well known coach and journalist).

The following year the club changed its name to Oakleigh United, however this was to only last a few years before the club became known as Burwood United. In 1984 the club was promoted to Provisional 3.

Another name change followed in 1986 as did the move to Keeley Park in Clayton South. The club was now called Oakleigh Suburbs and under this name the club went on to achieve multiple promotions in its so-called “golden era”. The club achieved promotion for 5 years in a row from 1987 to 1991. In 1991 the club was crowned champions of State League 3 under the coaching of Tony Gatzonis and were promoted to State 2 for the 1992 season. Paul Tzintzis was the top scorer in the 1991 championship winning team with 12 goals while George Pashalakis was the long time Team Manager.

The clubs Keeley Park ground was however not of a sufficient standard to compete at this level and the club was forced to rent Caulfield City’s Princess Park ground in order to be allowed to compete in State 2. The club maintained Keeley Park as its training and junior’s venue however changed its name to South Caulfield to reflect the location of the new senior ground. After a slow start in 1992 the club followed up with solid performances in 1993 & 1994 and even had former Socceroo & South Melbourne star Con Boutsianis on loan for half a season. George Varayiannis was the President from 1988-1996. It was also in the early mid 90’s that goalkeeper Peter Zois played before the club before going overseas to Holland. Another players to make his mark in the early 90’s was 1993 & 1995 club top scorer Carlos Romero who was signed from Mordialloc

The club was relegated in 1994 despite finishing 7th as it was no longer able to use Caulfield City’s ground and had to find a new ground that was again suitable for State 2 competition. A proposed deal with another State 2 club (that had already been relegated) was aborted at the last minute by that club leaving Pythagoras to be relegated and the other club being reinstated to State 2. It was a bitter pill for Pythagoras to swallow as it was demoted back to play in the State 3 competition. After a couple of solid seasons in State 3 during the mid 90’s the club was eventually relegated in 1997 and competed in State 4 during 1998. Unfortunately the club was now on a downward spiral and was also relegated in 1998 and also 1999 ending up in Provisional 2 for season 2000. Club presidents from 1997-1999 were Con Tripodis and Xen Kariatoglos.

The club was on the verge of folding prior to the 2000 season however new club President Paul Mota contributed the necessary funds to purchase new playing strips and pay for player registrations to keep the club afloat. Unfortunately the club continued to struggle on the field and would have been relegated again had it not been for a restructure in the Provisional Leagues to form regional splits (ie N/W & S/E). The club was still in dire straights prior to the beginning of Season 2001 with barely enough players to field a Senior & Reserve team and with only 2 points at the halfway mark of the season looked all but doomed to relegation. It was at this point that the club began the long road back with an incredible turnaround to save itself from relegation finishing the season on 20 points and in 9th place. Tony Amato was the club’s top scorer that year with 8 goals whilst the coach was Theo Karapanagiotidis.

A new young committee was also formed during the season to assist club stalwart Xenophon Kariatoglos. Alex Palmos took over as president with Tony Amato, John Nickas, Karl Froehlich, Jim Apokis & Paul Mota on board as the club began its journey to return to the State leagues and to restore itself to its former highs. From this point the club began to grow and formed its first girl’s team in 2002 while the senior team had its best year in more than 10 years. The club also formed a Thirds team in 2002. The following year a second girl’s team was added.

The club changed its name to Southern Suburbs SC in 2004 combining the two previous names of Oakleigh Suburbs and South Caulfield. This was seen as a name that would stand the test of time in the event of any future ground relocations. The club appointed a new coach in George Botakis and the senior team achieved promotion to Provisional 1 immediately after finishing 3rd. The John Salatas coached Reserve team also won the championship after finishing the season undefeated. The Girls team also won the State 2 title and was promoted to State 1 with Tina Moutafis scoring an incredible 52 goals for the season.

In 2005 the Senior team consolidated in its first season in Provisional 1 by finishing 5th while the clubs second girls’ team won the State 4 championship.

In 2006 the club received an upgrade to the Keeley Park Clubrooms from the Kingston Council and the club also started its junior program with 25 kids aged 5-10 taking part in GoalKick. The Senior team won a club record 7 games in a row at the start of the 2006 season before fading at the end of the season to finish 3rd after being in the “top 2” positions for 20 or the 22 rounds. Despite finishing 3rd the club was fortunate enough to be promoted to the State 3 competition for season 2007 after a vacancy became available.

The club began the 2007 season with a new Senior coach in Michael Tapai and back playing in State 3 after a 10 year absence. The club consolidated with 2 top half finishes in its first 2 seasons in State 3.

Arthur Georgiou was appointed as the new senior coach for season 2009 and the club won promotion to State league 2 SE after finishing runners up. It was a fantastic season by all concerned and one which brought great joy and happiness to all supporters, committee and friends of the Southern Suburbs Pythagoras family. The club also relaunched their Junior programme with an Under 8’s Small Sided Football Program.

At the conclusion of the 2010 season the club came to the realization that it was facing the same difficulties with facilities as it did in the early 90’s. After careful consideration the club went through the formal process of merging with Box Hill Inter. It was a very pleasing process and one where the best both clubs had to offer would culminate to form the Box Hill United Pythagoras SC.

Naming

The club was originally formed in 1922 as Box Hill United Soccer Club. This name remained until the conclusion of the 1991 season where they merged with Clayton Inter to then become Box Hill Inter Soccer Club.

In 1996 Bulleen Zebras and Brunswick Juventus merged together with Box Hill to create the Bulleen Inter Kings for the 1997 Victorian Premier League season. Box Hill's juniors then became known as Box Hill-Clayton Inter Kings.

At the time of the merger with Bulleen and Brunswick many of the original Clayton Inter club members broke away to form another club, Clayton SC, which still remains to this day.

The club was then known as "Box Hill International Soccer Club" until 2010 when it merged with Southern Suburbs Pythagoras SC.

 

Box Hill United Pythagoras (Current)

 

Today the club is called " Box Hill United Pythagoras SC" and caters for Mens, Womens and junior boys & girls teams.

Our vision is to create a truly great soccer club that is community focussed and supportive. Together with local, state and federal govenment support we have developed a 'Class A' soccer facilty that will benefit all members of the club as well as the wider community.

The club has a proud history of producing players of high calibre, many of who have gone on to represent their state, country and even play professionally either domestically or over seas.

Our mandate is to act professionally, with responsibility and to provide equal opportunity and clear pathways for all members.

Wembley Park

Wembley Park is situated on Canterbury Road, Box Hill South.

Wembley Park's facilities include a 300+ seat grand stand with two change rooms and a referees room, press box, club house with function area and two fully independent change rooms, office and first aid area.

Training is conducted opposite the main ground at 'Sparks Reserve Upper'.

 

 

For more information, please visit https://boxhillunited.com.au/

Thank you.