User:Stellaxpete
File:Armadale small1.jpg | |
Full name | Armadale Soccer Club |
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Nickname(s) | Army |
Founded | 1972 1997 , as Armadale SC | , as Armadale Park
Ground | Alfred Skeet Reserve, Forrestdale |
Capacity | 2,000 |
President | Chris Bates |
Head Coach | Alun Vernals |
Website | https://www.armadalesc.com.au/ |
Armadale Soccer Club is an Australian professional soccer club based in Forrestdale, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1972 as Westfield Park, before a merger between Armadale Park and Armadale City in 1997 to form Armadale SC. They currently compete in the National Premier Leagues Western Australia, with matches played at Alfred Skeet Reserve
History
[edit]Armadale Soccer Club began in 1972, and was known at the time as "Westfield Park Sports and Progression Association", however just a year later the club changed to "Westfield Park Soccer Club". In 1974, the club had nine junior teams along with it's senior teams, all playing on a Sunday at Gwyne Park Reserve in Armadale. That season was the first year the club joined the Amateur Soccer Association, and proved a great success, with the first team winning the Amateur Second Division (known at the time as ASA Division Three).
More success was to follow, with the club winning the Amateur First Division the following season, and gaining promotion to the Amateur Premier Division for 1976. In 1980 the club changed it's name to "Armadale Park Soccer Club" and also moved to Morgan Park. With the move the membership grew considerably and both juniors and seniors continued to be successful with Armadale to be the heavyweights of amateur football at the time.
In 1985, the club joined the semi-professional competition and in it's very first season playing Saturday football, Armadale won the Third Division (then known as Division Four) under coach Steve Nash. This was also the year that Alfred Skeet Reserve in Forrestdale became the club's new home. From 1986 to 1991, Armadale Park played in what today would be known as the Second Division, with it's best season being 1991 when they finished third.
1992 was the year of the great "soccer split", with two associations controlling Saturday football. Armadale elected to join the Professional Soccer League, and were placed into the higher league of the First Division. After finishing third, it was a struggle for the club, and were relegated back to the Second Division for the 1995 season.
Two years later, the club were back in Division One due to Soccer West Coast restrucituring the leagues to a two division competition. This was also the year that Armadale Park merged with Armadale City, the new name of the merged club would become "Armadale Soccer Club". Armadale struggled in the higher league, finishing no higher than 10th for the first five seasons. This all changed in 2002 under the leadership of new coach Billy Russell, when Armadale finished second, and then third in 2003.
2004 would be one of the best seasons in Armadale's history, winning Division One and gaining promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. It's has been a credit to Armadale that they have remained there to this day, with the best season in the top flight being seventh place in 2010 under coach Brad Hassell.
In 2018 Armadale lifted their first major trophy in their history under coach John O’Reilly, the State Cup, after beating Gwelup Croatia 2-0. It meant Armadale qualified to play in the national FFA Cup, where they lost 4-0 away to Carins FC. Alun Vernals took over as coach last season and guided the club to their best finish in the league, just missing out on a top four finish. The club have a large supporter base, and are one of the best supported teams in the league.
Men's team
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- As of 21 May 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
[edit]First Division winners - 2004 First Division runners-up - 2002 Third Division winners - 1985 Cup winners - 2018