STAN THE TOP MAN

                 Football Federation Australia Hall of Famer - Stan Lazaridis

The Autumn 2011 issue of the Fame Game - the newsletter of the WA Football Hall of Fame highlighted ex- Athena Player,  Socceroo legend Stan 'The Man' Lazaridis on his induction into the Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame. In our Athena sports bar we proudly display a framed and signed Socceroos shirt kindly donated to Floreat Athena by Stan himself upon his retirement after his last ever game for the national team vs Paraguay in Sydney Saturday 9th October 2006. This item is now like a family heirloom for the club.

The entire Athena Family salutes Stan on this remarkable achievement and the honour bestowed on him.

Also it was kind of cool to see the Stan in the stands for our recent home match vs the Western Knights with his friend FAFC Board member and club stalwart Jim Karikis - we look forward to  see more of you Stan!

Stan Lazaridis, considered by many to be WA's greatest ever footballer, is the latest West Australian to be included in the Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame. The 38-year-old was inducted in December, 2010, at a ceremony in Sydney. 

"It's an incredible feeling and part of me isn't sure I'm worthy of the accolade," said Perth born Stan who made 72 appearances for Australia, including 60 'A' internationals — the most national caps by a West Australian.  "I love the game and I gave everything to the game and my country." 

Stan started his senior career as a leggy left-winger with Kingsway Olympic when he was 16, and went on to play for Stirling Macedonia and Floreat Athena. He was transferred to NSL side West Adelaide in 1992, and then signed by West Ham for a fee of £300,000 in 1995. After four seasons with the Hammers he joined Birmingham City in a £1.7 million deal, being a key player in their return to the English Premier League in 2002. He returned to WA in 2006 to join Perth Glory, but injury restricted his appearances and he retired in 2008. He took part in four World Cup campaigns and was a squad member for the 2006 finals in Germany. 

He also took part in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Stan joins four other WA players to be included in the National Hall of Fame — Gary Marocchi, Robbie Dunn, Robbie Zabica and Ron Adair.

Non-players from WA who have been inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame are: referee Eddie Lennie, administrators Julius Re and Harry Croft, and Bob McShane, who was a referee, trainer, administrator and all-round icon.