Brothers in Arms: Athena Farewells Miki and Vas Vujacic

  Happy Times:  Brothers in Arms "Montenegrin Blue Bloods" Celebrating the Magnificent 2007 Undefeated League Championship

The past few weeks have seen a number of changes in coaching and player ranks at the club. Throughout the world of football this is commonplace when new coaches and Boards of club management are appointed. In the harsh reality of life at a football club and a wonder life in general essentially that the only thing that is constant is change. 

Whilst it is too early to speculate on the exact extent and ultimate impact of these transitional changes as these are clearly ongoing and yet to be finliased we can report however on some that have come to light recently.

Two eternally popular brothers Vas and Miki Vujacic the “Montenegrin Blue Bloods” have been notified that their services are no longer required by the club.

This has prompted the current blog entry "Brothers in Arms".

In what is hoped to be the first of two blog entries of the brothers V - Athenista firstly catches up with the younger two Milorad “Miki” Vujacic to review his time at the club.

It is estimated that Miki to date has played around 250 WAPL matches of which approximately 150 were in the blue and white stripes of Floreat Athena in all competitions. This makes him at the end of season 2011 one of the longer standing servants at the club and a member of the club's leadership group in an overall young squad. 

An instinctive creative midfielder is an apt description of Miki as a player. On the park Miki presents himself as a silky, pretty or even a sexy player who has the innate ability to wriggle his way through the midfield and slip past opponents to put himself in a position to beam in a rasping shot at goal.

Or at other times a clever player having the vision to deliver a field splitting final pass for the striker to line up the trigger in his feet towards the goal. For much of time at the club he had been the designated set piece exponent who skills were often on display for free kicks and also when sending in his trademark curling corners that would prove a handful for opposition defenders and goal keepers. An unselfish team player always ready to play whatever role he was asked to by his coaches.

Miki is a bona fide young football tragic. He lives and breathes our game and he has long expressed his love affair with Athena and he had the right to comment and reflect on his departure after five years at the club. Off the park he is known as an intelligent young man always looking for a positive spin on his take on the complexities of the beautiful game. Away from football he is a devoted, loyal and always generous family and friend centred individual.

On the breaking of the news he has privately expressed his feelings about the Club's decision to not reappoint him in the playing squad for 2012. He is clearly disappointed to not have had a chance to work with the new coach during this new phase at the club, after declaring his interest to remain at Britannia Road and initially feeling that he was in the coach's plans.

However, on the breaking of the news Miki has responded in a mature and almost philosophical manner when he said… “But I guess that’s football, and I have to accept it……. Probably more disappointed with the fact that the decision appears in my mind that it may have been more politically motivated rather than purely based on my footballing ability - whilst I am not certain of this, it is just the instinctive feeling that I have"

As an important member of the 2007 championship side under Michael Roki – not surprisingly Miki notes this as being amongst a major highlights of his overall career to date when he said, “......without a doubt the undefeated season of 2007……I don’t think many players will ever get to experience that in their careers - ...... Also the 2011 Night Series victory was very sweet considering we were against the odds”

During his time at Athena Miki has he earnt the reputation of being a tireless worker behind the scenes for club events - none more so than the once famous club cocktail parties that generated huge accolades from everyone who attended and beyons. In the cut and thrust of life as a WAPL player in contemporary times this ethic is a rare and greatly valued human commodity.

Always at the social centre of the Clubs heart the Miki also rated as a highlight - the camaraderie and enjoyment of fun times with players at all levels and supporters as being something that he will miss as he moves on … “Oh and of course the beginnings of the phenomenon that is Thursaturday, which I am proud to have been a ‘founding father’ of!”

Having played under two coaches at Athena -  Roki and Kovacevic  - Miki expressed views on the future plans the club is currently undertaking – “Contradicting views of the club’s direction from different people in power at the club has left me a bit confused. Let’s just hope the changes pay off in the long run….The club has a very close spot in my heart and always will so I really hope it turns out for the best - I am an Athena Fan.”

The blogger fielded many questions from members of WA football family at the recent Gold Medal event regarding Miki's future. So where to now for Miki V? – “There have been a number of offers since the end of the season (and during the season and past seasons) but at the moment I’m just enjoying the break. I still have a good few years at Premier League level and would like to see myself tested and challenged in a new environment. So we’ll see what happens".

On behalf of the Athena faithful it is appropriate that respect is given towards Miki's time at the club. M. Vujacic has been a valuable member of the Floreat Athena squad for the past five years under two coaches and he has contributed admirably to much of the clubs recent success. The new coaching staff have chosen to take a different path regarding the positions covered by the player. It is every coaches prerogative to make these hard decisions and I have no doubt that it would have been a difficult one to make. Miki is a popular person and clearly has football talent and ability. As a past club man of the year recipient his honour and service to our club extends beyond football and Floreat Athena wishes good fortune to the young man in his chosen future endeavours in WA football.

It is fitting and appropriate that we reflect on the form and talent of the player that he exhibited to be named in the 2004 WA All Stars team – two seasons before being signed by Athena from Swan IC.

Three cheers Milorad Vujacic!

Miki VUJACIC (Right Midfield) - Exciting young midfielder Miki Vujacic was the unsung hero at Swan I.C. The versatile 20-year old arrived in the Swan Valley on a free transfer from Adelaide City and immediately began producing the sort of form which made him a regular for Future Glory in 2002. Vujacic's sublime skill and electrifying pace are best utilised on the right flank, although he's also proven just as effective when operating from the centre of the park. Prominent in mid-season fixtures with Inglewood United (R8) and Perth S.C. (R13), Vujacic moved up a gear for the Boral Cup Final in which he orchestrated Swan victory over Fremantle City by laying on the opening goal for David Foster and then netting the game's deciding goal himself. 

Mark Pritchard 2011 FAFC Club Champion

       Former under 23 Wales international Mark Pritchard 2011 FAFC Club Champion

No one would have been surprised with Mark Pritchard's status of being the favourite to collect the club champions fairest and best award being confirmed on Saturday evening at Floreat Athena's night of nights.

Pritchard began his career at EPL outfit Swansea City, making his professional debut on 21 October 2003  After a short spell on loan with Merthyr Tydfil at the end of the 2004–05 season, Swansea boss at the time Kenny Jacket deemed him surplus to requirements at the Liberty Stadium and he was allowed to join Conference National side Aldershot Town, where he scored his first senior career goal during a 4-2 defeat to Blackpool in the FA Cup. After a relatively successful two year spell at Llanelli he was released by the club and joined local rivals, Camarthen Town, in the summer of 2009. He left Carmarthen in 2010, spending a brief spell at Goytre United before joining Oxford City.

In early 2011 Mark moved to Perth, and signed with State Premier League side Floreat Athena. After a short and expected period of adjustment to local conditions during one of the hottest Perth summers for two decades Pritchard quickly began to show his class with a long string of fine performances.  He was also recognised as one of the most entertaining imports to the WAPL in 2011. It did not take long for him to become a fans favourite with his silky skills and his all round football ability being on display for the Athena faithful.

Mark has always presented himself in a professional manner and his skills were noted and rewarded by State team coach Robbie Dunn with his selection in WA vs Perth Glory. Here he performed admirably with a wonderstrike beating Glory goalkeeper Neil Young from inside his own half with a miraculous finish.

Pritchard is the complete player. He has the ability to control the midfield, the pace to gain space with a natural tendency to attack, a competent set piece executioner and in a season that saw Athena lose more than it won he was also required on numerous occasions to reveal his defensive qualities.

Off the park the man oozes respect and humility and he never once shied away from reflecting his pride and appreciation of everything that it means to be an Athena player.

Upon receiving the award his humble nature came to fore. Whilst ecstatic with winning the coveted prize of 2011 Floreat Athena club champion, he was quick to thank the selectors and to inform the audience of his gratitude to his fellow team mates, the senior coaches and the Board for making him feel welcome at the club.

Mark Pritchard - we salute you.

Privately he has expressed a strong desire to remain at Athena for season 2012. The wave of offers from other rival clubs have inevitably begun. Securing his services for next season as soon as  possible would send a clear message of Athena intentions. Any further delay in negotiating his signature would seem illogical.

Other award winners

Golden Boot - Liam Boland

Troy Bernard Rising Star - Liam Boland

Players Player - Paul van Dongen

Runners Up Club Champion - Julian Madaschi

Trophy Night Wash-Up

As someone intensely fascinated with our clubs history and tradition it is with great disappointment to this blogger that the trophy night did not see the display of three unique and very important trophies. These awards were created for the explicit purpose of being presented at the clubs annual trophy night.

First - The Troy Bernard Rising Star trophy is an impressive glittering perpetual award in honour of the club legend whose life was tragically cut short in a work accident. This should have been handed to Boland in an honourable right of passage and history.

Second - The George Papas Club Man Award was also conspicuously absent from proceedings.

Thirdly - The perpetual club champions trophy that is beautifully adorned with name badges of past winners - also a mind boggling no show.

The non-appearance and lack of special mention of these awards in inexcusable at an event that was held in the clubrooms. The blogger is not sure what this signals. Is it an act of sheer laziness or ignorant oversight. 

Regardless of the reasoning or excuse it needs to be deemed as a gross error in judgement and must serve as a notice of room for improvement for all future Boards and persons bestowed with the honour of conducting future FAFC trophy nights.

Finally, The 2011 Night Series championship in an otherwise difficult year deserved more than passing reference and it remained for outgoing coach Ante Kovacevic to remind everyone of the significance of this achievement.

With the historian it is an article of faith that knowledge of the past is a key to understanding the present. - Kenneth Stampp

A country (Club) without a memory is a country (Club) of madmen.
George Santayana

I have received quite a few of these awards over the past 5 years it would be nice to see someone challenge me!

I have seen a lot changes at the club this year - lets hope there are not too many more

- 2011 FAFC Supporter of the year - Travis Papadopolous

New Athena Coach in the First Team Hot Seat

                                    Athena Fans at the MCG, Greece vs Australia

With the sudden and shock departure of senior coach Ante Kovacevic who cited personal reasons and the non-appointment of lifetime club stalwart Taki Nicolaides the search for their replacements began immediately. 

Unsubstantiated suggestions have emerged that the outgoing coaching staff had voiced concerns about the less than desirable levels of support being provided by the Board for the football operations department of the club. Coupled with the sacking of reserves coach Goodman - plans with a focus on the future playing squad seemed somewhat professionally compromised.

Hot unbackable favourite in rumour mill around the football town from the outset to take on the vacancy was Chris Barbas. He was the current Under 18's coach who had successfully guided his side to an emphatic cup final victory of sheer character and determination only a few weeks back.

With the important emphasis always being on stability at a football club - it was critical that that a sound decision was made quickly. At the club AGM on Friday September 23 2011 Barbas was announced as the senior coach of Floreat Athena Football Club.

To the best of the bloggers knowledge this makes him the first home grown, player to rise to the position of first team coach from beginning  through all junior and senior ranks at Floreat Athena. The membership wished him luck on the back of the President's impassioned call "that he will do a brilliant job". This being a constant  dream that all Athena  fans have of all the coaches and teams in the clubs history.

No doubt Barbas as the incumbent coach is well aware of the expectation and the rights of passage and honour now upon him in the hots seat at Floreat Athena. The step up to senior football will bring with it many new challenges.

It is well held that the much coveted vacant position of senior coach at arguably WA football's 2nd highest profile club historically - did not go out out to an interview recruitment process with t he Board opting for an appointment from within its coaching ranks as sometimes is the case at football clubs. So credit to the board for committing to its decision in a prompt manner.

As a state league player in the 1980's, Barbas was a high profile and well regraded goal keeper for both Floreat Athena and Perth Italia. He returned to the club just 2 years ago after over 2 decades away from the club to take up the 18's coaching position under the Poulios presidency period.

During his absence Chris earnt a reputation as a successful and highly committed coach in WA junior football coaching circles, in particular at his then club Inglewood. His ambition to ultimately coach at the highest level in WA senior football was evident at the time of his appointment to the Athena 18's coaching position as he was in fact considered by the Board initially as a potential reserves coach.

What now remains to be seen is how the player group reacts to the sudden departure of club favourite Ante Kocavevic. A man who had become synonymous with the resurgen and recentt success at the club. This was achieved over the past five years of his tenure at the club with three of them as a player and two as a player coach. However, most importantly a year ago he was responsible for the the recruitment of the young group of players for whom 2011 was their first year at the club

With the time it took to recover from the sheer number of quality players who left the club during the 2010/11 summer massacre at Brtiannia Road  - the last thing the club needs now is a similar casualty rate. This would be demoralising for all concerned at the club.

It is crucial that we retain the great majority - if not all of the playing roster. This will bring with it the added benefit of the virtues of a period of stability and loyalty. Along with some appropriate strategic decisions of bringing in new blood that would fit the new coaching teams plans and goals  - then the clubs demands and expectations of success have a greater chance of being met in 2012.

It is well held that the side will need bolstering in some critical areas areas if it is at all to seriously challenge for a top five finish over 22 weeks in the home and away format. However to date no direction has been indicated to determine what kind of football operations budget will be allocated. Until then no predictive judgement into 2012 can be made.

The fans will wait eagerly and somewhat nervously until two significant things occur.

Firstly, that senior quality experienced players that will be in demand at other ambitious clubs are retained - none more so than captain Madaschi, midfielders Pritchard, Isaia, Moran, Vujasic, Catalano defenders Franz, O'Connell, Smith, striker Boland and goal keeper Dunn. 

So that makes a core of 11. The ultimate challenge will be to find a quality and experienced centre half replacement for the almost ":irreplaceable" and certainly inspirational and highly respected Kovacevic. Secondly, we await the announcement of quality signings to add value to this list of core and critical players.

Finally the fans and supporters will remain patient with great anticipation to learn a little more about the qualities of this first time in the big time coaching group as they strive to leave their mark on the progress of Floreat Athena Football Club.

Blast from the Past

1987 Night Series

Grand Final So it was, Bayswater Inter and Floreat Athena, who would decide who would take the lions share of the prize money as well as the magnificent trophy. Bayswater a year ago in the 1986 Final were soundly beaten by Stirling Macedonia and were determined to erase that disappointment, but were up against Floreat Athena who were equally determined to give their coach, Kenny Worden, an opportunity of winning his ninth major title in Australia.

At the end of full and extra time the clubs could not be separated from a 1-1 score. This low scoring was mainly due to some tremendous goalkeeping by the two keepers, Chris Barbas and Steve Martin. It was shame that such a game had to be decided by shoot-outs, but then those are the rules. And it was Bayswater Inter who had the best score-line at the end as they converted three shootouts to Floreat Athena's two and went on to collect $12,500 and the Emu Export Night Soccer Series Trophy.