Charlestown Azzurri FC

Full nameCharlestown Azzurri Football Club
Nickname(s)Azzurri
Founded1963
GroundLisle Carr Oval
Capacity3000
Coordinates32°58′42″S 151°42′54″E / 32.978419°S 151.714924°E / -32.978419; 151.714924
PresidentRoby Valentinis
Head coachJames Pascoe
LeagueNPL NNSW
20244th of 12
Websitehttp://www.charlestownazzurri.com/

Charlestown Azzurri FC (formerly Charlestown City Blues FC) is an Australian soccer club based in Whitebridge, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. The club currently competes in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW (NPL NNSW).

[1]

History

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Charlestown United was founded in 1900, while Hamilton Azzurri was founded in 1963 which later became Highfields Azzurri during the 1970s. In 2006, Highfields Azzurri became Azzurri FC. In 2009, Football Federation Australia forced Azzurri to change its name.[2]

After the 2009 season, the club became Charlestown City Blues FC, when Azzurri FC and Charlestown United merged.[3]

In 2014, Charlestown City was accepted into the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW (NPL NNSW). The Blues finished in 4th place in the first season of the NPL NNSW, qualifying for the finals series.[4]

In October 2017, Azzurri announced the signing of former Socceroo Ljubo Milicevic.[5]

The 2018 season saw Charlestown finish in 6th place in the league. Scott Smith and Kane Goodchild were the side's leading goalscorers with 7 goals each. The club also enjoyed FFA Cup success, progressing to the round of 32 for the first time in their history, where they were defeated by Heidelberg United. 2022 saw finals football return to Azzuri under now ex-manager Graham Law. A team led by Nigel Boogard and Taylor Regan finished 4th and fell at the hands of Newcastle Olympic in the 4th v 5th playoff game.

2023 invited a new look for Azzuri who under new management of James Pascoe finished the season in 3rd place. After a strong start to the season, injuries and the loss of goalkeeper Nate Archibald saw Charlestown's form drop towards the end of the season. Azzuri lost to Broadmedow magic in the first round of the finals before going on to beat the Weston Bears 1-0 at their home ground (Lisle Carr). Following this Azzuri would once again face magic where they were unsuccessful resulting in the Azzuri boys falling just short of a grand final appearance.

Current squad

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK   Nathan Archbold
— CB Australia AUS Nigel Boogaard
— CB Australia AUS Taylor Regan
— CAM Australia AUS Jacob Melling
— CM   Caleb Walz
— RB   Callum Bower
— RW   Dean Petit
— ST   Kyle Munns
— GK   George Scorer
— Forward   Harrison Frendo
No. Pos. Nation Player
— CDM   Jackson Frendo
— CDM/RB   Jethro Elkington
— CB   Jett White
— DF   Luke Callen
— LW/CAM   Regan Lundy
— ST   Rene Ferguson
— ST   Ryan Frame
— LW   Miguel Herrera

Club Legends

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  • Taylor Regan (Azzuri Junior/ 2022-2023)
  • Nigel Boogaard (2022–2023)
  • Kane Goodchild (legend team)
  • Ljubo Milicevic (2017/18)
  • Nate Archibald (hall of fame)
  • Rene Ferguson (Hall of fame)
  • Jethro Elkington (100 Appearances/ hall of fame)
  • Scott Smith (most appaeances for the club)
  • Neville Power (top 5 in appearances and top goalscorer for the club(223))
  • Wayne Bailey (legend team)
  • Victor Hogan (top 5 in appearances)
  • Josh Maguire(legend team)
  • Peter Fairleigh (legend team)
  • Paul Wheeler (legend team)
  • George Strong (legend team)
  • Peter Gleeson (legend team)
  • Victor Hogan (legend team)
  • Mervyn Black (legend team)
  • Peter Dewhurst(legend team)
  • Malcolm Heath (legend team)
  • Peter Irving (legend team)
  • David Howells (legend team)
  • David Lowe (legend team)
  • Howard Tredennick (legend team)
  • Ken Ledden(legend team (manager))
  • Dos Santos(legend team (coach))
  • Boris Bendevski(legend team)
  • John Adamthwaite (legend team)
  • Ethan Prestwidge (2x Rocco Miccoli Youth Defender of the year)

[6][7]

Life members

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  • Antonio 'Tony' Matinelli
  • Basilio Rufo Decimo Valentinis
  • Don Di Nardo
  • Elia Luvisi
  • Glenn Myles
  • Graham Mason
  • Ken Ledden
  • Rocco Miccoli
  • Peter Gaddes
  • Peter Sandrone
  • Shane Tull

References

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  1. ^ "Home | Northern NSW Football". www.northernnswfootball.com.au. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  2. ^ Kerry, Craig (6 September 2018). "Blue steel: Charlestown vow to continue fight to regain Azzurri name". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  3. ^ Kerry, Craig (28 July 2011). "Azzurri and Charlestown United combine for NNSW State League". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Home | Northern NSW Football". www.northernnswfootball.com.au. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  5. ^ Kerry, Craig (27 October 2017). "Ljubo back to boost Blues after dark days". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  6. ^ "About | Charlestown Azzurri". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
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