Parramatta FC

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Football club

Parramatta FC

Full name| Parramatta Football Club
Nickname(s)| Melita, Eagles, Whites
Founded| 1956; 68 years ago (1956)
Ground| Melita Stadium
Capacity| 10,000
Chairman| Steve Elriche
Head Coach| Luis Contigiani
League| NSW League Two
2023| 14th of 15
Website| Club website

Home colours

Away colours

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Parramatta Football Club, commonly known as Parramatta Melita Eagles or just Melita, are a semi-professional Australian soccer club based in South Granville, New South Wales. The club was established by Maltese migrants in 1956 and played several seasons in the National Soccer League, winning the NSL Cup twice. Later they were in the New South Wales Premier League, which the club won on six occasions. The club currently competes in the NSW League Two (formerly National Premier Leagues NSW 3).

## History[edit]

The club was formed in 1956 as Melita Eagles United Soccer Football Club by Maltese immigrants after the amalgamation of two Maltese clubs; Malta Eagles (Established 1952) and Melita Soccer Football Club (Established 1953). Prior to their amalgamation, these two clubs were the fiercest of rivals, competing in the Eastern Suburbs Soccer Football Association (ESSFA).

Melita Eagles have had a long and distinguished career in NSW soccer history. Their origins in the Maltese community stretch way back to the formation of the original NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs in 1957. Along with higher profile clubs like Prague, Hakoah, APIA Leichhardt, St George, Pan-Hellenic and others, it was part of the original breakaway movement which led to the end of the old NSW Soccer Football Association in January 1957.

The club was previously known as Melita Eagles United Soccer Football Club, Melita Eagles-Newtown, Parramatta Melita Eagles, Parramatta Eagles, PCYC Parramatta Eagles.

### 2007–2012[edit]

After having been relegated at the end of the 2006 season from the NSW Premier League, the club evolved into PCYC Parramatta Eagles FC with the backing of the NSW Police Citizens Youth Club, and competed in the NSW Super League in 2007. The Eagles qualified for the finals series in all four seasons under PCYC, suffering defeats in the 2008 and 2009 Grand Finals. As a result of the first team finishing as Premiers in 2010, the club was promoted back to the Premier League.

In 2011, a new partnership was formed between Parramatta Melita Eagles Sports Club and Granville and Districts Soccer Football Association (GDSFA), in which the club became known as Parramatta FC. Although the first grade team finished at the bottom of the NSW Premier League ladder in 2011, strong performances by the Under 20 and Under 18 teams ensured that the club remained eligible to play Premier League football in 2012, due to the state's system of promotion and relegation. The Eagles weren't so lucky in 2012, suffering relegation.

### 2013–Present Day: National Premier Leagues NSW Introduction[edit]

In 2013, the Eagles would return to the second division, now labelled the NPL NSW 2, after the introduction of the National Premier Leagues, finishing just outside finals contention. In 2014, Parramatta finished as Minor Premiers and nine points clear at the top of the table. Parramatta lost the Grand Final, returned to the National Premier Leagues NSW competition for the 2015 season.

Surviving relegation on the final day in 2015, and then missing out on the finals series after being just outside the top five for much of the 2016 season, 2017 was the season the club hoped to finally qualify for NPL1 finals football for the first time since the 2002/03 season. What was to come would be a first in the club’s 60 year history. Already struggling at the bottom of the table, an exodus of senior players occurred during the mid season transfer window. Although performances had improved, the team could not avoid finishing bottom of the table and suffering relegation.

Under a new board led by businessman, local community leader and GDSFA treasurer, Steve Elriche, there was hope heading into the 2018 season. The season started very promisingly, however, as the season wore on, the lack of depth in the three senior squads began to reveal issues due to the events which occurred in 2017. The mid season transfer window saw all three grades, in particular 1st Grade, look to strengthen their squads, but the player point system which clubs were to abide by proved a massive obstacle for our club. Parramatta finished last on the Club Championship table for the second season in a row, and suffered a successive relegation.

In 2019, Parramatta FC's 1st Grade side did not have enough wins throughout the regular season to avoid relegation once again, a rare third successive relegation occurred. With the bottom five NSW NPL3 clubs on the Club Championship table to be dropped to compete in the NSW NPL4 competition for the 2020 season (Due to Football NSW's proposed restructuring), the Eagles would finish third last.

## Honours/Highlights[edit]

* IFFHS World Top 100 Clubs
* Twice named (2): 1993 (Ranked 90 & 98)
* National Soccer League Cup
* Winners (2): 1990–91, 1993–94
* Runners-Up (1): 1992–93
* National Soccer League Challenge Cup
* Winners (1): 1994
* Maltese Cultural Cup
* Winners (1): 2020
* Umbro International Cup
* Winners (1): 1977
* NSW Waratah Cup
* Runners-Up (1): 1996
* NSW Ampol Cup
* Runners-Up (2): 1978, 1979

* National Premier Leagues NSW
* Premiers (6): 1980, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1997, 2001–02
* Champions (6): 1985, 1988, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2001–02
* Grand Finalist (4): 1980, 1983, 1986, 1999
* NSW League One
* Premiers (3): 1977, 2010, 2014
* Grand Finalist (3): 2008, 2009, 2014
* NSW League Two
* Premiers (1): 1961

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## Divisional history[edit]

* 1957–1958: NSW Division Two (NL1)
* 1959–1961: NSW Division Three (NL2)
* 1962–1966: NSW Division Two (NL3)
* 1967–1970: NSW Division One (NPL)
* 1971–1977: NSW Division Two (NL1)
* 1978: NSW Division One (NPL)
* 1979–1982: NSW State League (NPL)
* 1983: NSW Division One (NPL)
* 1984: National Soccer League (NSL)
* 1985–1989: NSW Division One (NPL)
* 1989–1995: National Soccer League (NSL)
* 1996–2000: NSW Super League (NPL)
* 2000–2006: NSW Premier League (NPL)
* 2007–2010: NSW Super League (NL1)
* 2011–2012: NSW Premier League (NPL)
* 2013–2014: NSW National Premier League 2 (NL1)
* 2015–2017: NSW National Premier League 1 (NPL)
* 2018: NSW National Premier League 2 (NL1)
* 2019: NSW National Premier League 3 (NL2)
* 2020–2021 : NSW National Premier League 4 (NL3)
* 2022: NSW League Three (NL3)
* 2023: NSW League Two (NL2)

## Notable Internationals[edit]

Argentina

* Hector Martinez

Australia

* Ahmad Elrich
* Alan Hunter (Australian association footballer)
* Andrew Callanan
* Anissa Tann
* Attila Abonyi
* Aytek Genc
* Cliff van Blerk
* David Lowe
* Erik Paartalu
* Gabriel Mendez
* Gary Quested
* George Haniotis
* Glenn Gwynne
* Greg Brown (footballer, born 1962)
* Howard Tredinnick
* James Holland (footballer)
* Joe Spiteri
* John Davies
* Mark Bridge
* Mark Milligan

* Marshall Soper
* Matthew Bingley
* Matthew Jurman
* Mitchell Duke
* Nathan Burns
* Oliver Bozanic
* Peter Katholos
* Robert Wheatley
* Saso Petrovski
* Shannon Cole
* Sharon Dewar
* Tarek Elrich
* Terry Greedy
* Tony Franken
* Tracey Wheeler
* Walter Ardone

Austria

* Karl Jaros

Cameroon

* Cyrille Ndongo-Keller

Guinea

* Ballamodou Conde

Lebanon

* Michael Reda
* Yahya El Hindi

Malta

* Fred Falzon
* Joe Cilia
* Joe 'il Faqi' Farrugia
* Joe 'Ginger' Zammit
* Ray Farrugia

New Zealand

* Istvan Nemet

Philippines

* Dominic del Rosario

Poland

* Jarosław Nowicki

Uruguay

* Washington González

Wales

* Trevor Edwards

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## References[edit]

## External links[edit]

* Official website
* Parramatta FC on Facebook
* Parramatta Eagles on Facebook
* History of Parramatta Eagles

* v
* t
* e

Soccer in New South Wales

| A-League Men|

* Central Coast Mariners
* Macarthur FC
* Newcastle Jets
* Sydney FC
* Western Sydney Wanderers

|

A-League Women|

* Central Coast Mariners
* Newcastle Jets
* Sydney FC
* Western Sydney Wanderers

A-League Youth|

* Central Coast Mariners
* Newcastle Jets
* Sydney FC
* Western Sydney Wanderers

F-League|

* Dural Warriors
* East Coast Heat
* Sydney Scorpions

Football NSW

NPL|

* APIA Leichhardt
* Blacktown City
* Central Coast Mariners Academy
* Hills United
* Marconi Stallions
* Manly United
* NWS Spirit
* Rockdale Ilinden
* St George City
* St George FC
* Sutherland Sharks
* Sydney FC Youth
* Sydney Olympic
* Sydney United 58
* Western Sydney Wanderers Youth
* Wollongong Wolves

NSW League One|

* Bankstown City
* Blacktown Spartans
* Bonnyrigg White Eagles
* Bulls FC Academy
* Canterbury Bankstown
* Dulwich Hill
* Dunbar Rovers
* Hakoah Sydney City East
* Hills United
* Inter Lions
* Macarthur Rams
* Mt Druitt Town Rangers
* Nepean FC
* Northern Tigers
* Rydalmere Lions
* Southern Districts Raiders
* UNSW FC

NSW League Two|

* Bankstown United
* Camden Tigers
* Central Coast United
* Fraser Park
* Gladesville Ryde Magic
* Granville Rage
* Hawkesbury City
* Hurstville ZFC
* Inner West Hawks
* Mounties Wanderers
* Newcastle Jets Youth
* Parramatta FC
* Prospect United
* South Coast Flame
* Sydney Uni

Regional Leagues
& Associations|

* Bankstown District Amateur Football Association
* Blacktown & District Soccer Football Association
* Canterbury District Soccer Football Association
* Central Coast Football
* Eastern Suburbs Football Association
* Granville & District Soccer Football Association
* Football South Coast
* Northern Suburbs Football Association
* Macarthur District Soccer Football Association
* Manly Warringah Football Association
* Nepean Football Association
* North West Sydney Football
* Southern Districts Soccer Football Association
* St. George Football Association
* Sutherland Shire Football Association
* Southern Branch
* Sydney Amateur Football League
* Football Riverina
* Western NSW Football

Other Competitions|

* NSW League Three (defunct)

NPL Women's|

* Bankstown City
* Illawarra Stingrays

Other clubs|

* Balmain Tigers
* FC Gazy Auburn
* Hurstville City Minotaurs
* Western Condors
* FC Bossy Liverpool
* Fairfield Bulls
* Western NSW Mariners
* Belmore Hercules

FNSW League seasons|

* 1957
* 1958
* 1999
* 2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

Waratah Cup|

* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 2007
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* ~~2021~~
* 2022

Northern NSW Football

NPL|

* Adamstown Rosebud
* Broadmeadow Magic
* Charlestown Azzurri
* Cooks Hill United
* Edgeworth FC
* Lambton Jaffas
* Lake Macquarie City
* Maitland FC
* New Lambton FC
* Newcastle Olympic
* Valentine FC
* Weston Bears

State League 1|

* Belmont Swansea United
* Cessnock City Hornets
* Kahibah FC
* Singleton Strikers
* South Cardiff
* Thornton Redbacks
* Toronto Awaba Stags
* Wallsend FC
* West Wallsend

Regional Leagues|

* Zone League One
* Zone League Two
* Zone League Three

Associations|

* Football Far North Coast
* Football Mid North Coast
* Hunter Valley Football
* Macquarie Football
* Newcastle Football
* North Coast Football
* Northern Inland Football

Regional Cups|

NNSWF State Cup

Northern NSW
League seasons|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022

* v
* t
* e

NSW League Two

NPL 3 Seasons
(renamed NSW League Two in 2022)|

* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* ~~2021~~
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Clubs|

| Current|

* Bankstown United
* Camden Tigers
* Central Coast United FC
* Fraser Park
* Gladesville Ryde Magic
* Hawkesbury City
* Hurstville ZFC
* Inner West Hawks
* Mounties Wanderers
* Newcastle Jets Youth
* Parramatta
* Prospect United
* South Coast Flame
* Sydney University
* Granville Rage

|

Former|

* Balmain Tigers
* Bankstown City Lions
* Canterbury Bankstown FC
* Dulwich Hill FC
* Dunbar Rovers
* Hills United
* Inter Lions SC
* Macarthur Rams
* Mt. Druitt Town Rangers
* Rydalmere Lions FC
* SD Raiders
* Western NSW Mariners

Former competition|

* FNSW State League 1 Seasons
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015

Associated competitions|

* A-League Men
* A-League Women
* Y-League
* National Premier Leagues

* v
* t
* e

National Soccer League

Seasons|

* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04

Grand Finals|

* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004

Clubs|

| Last|

* Adelaide United
* Brisbane Strikers
* Football Kingz
* Marconi Stallions
* Melbourne Knights
* Newcastle United Jets
* Northern Spirit
* Parramatta Power
* Perth Glory
* South Melbourne
* Sydney Olympic
* Sydney United
* Wollongong Wolves

|

Former|

* APIA Leichhardt
* Adelaide City
* Blacktown City
* Brisbane City
* Brisbane Lions
* Brunswick Juventus
* Canberra City
* Canberra Cosmos
* Canterbury-Marrickville
* Carlton
* Collingwood Warriors
* Footscray JUST
* Green Gully Cavaliers
* Heidelberg United
* Inter Monaro
* Mooroolbark
* Morwell Falcons
* Newcastle Breakers
* Newcastle KB United
* Newcastle Rosebud United
* Parramatta Eagles
* Penrith City
* Preston Makedonia
* St George Saints
* Sunshine George Cross
* Sydney City
* West Adelaide
* Western Suburbs
* Wollongong Macedonia

Competition|

* Teams
* winners
* performance record
* Players
* foreign
* foreign scorers
* winners
* Managers
* Stadiums

Statistics and awards|

* Records
* All-time table
* Hat-tricks
* Highest scores
* Top scorers by season
* Player of the Year
* Under 21 Player of the Year
* Coach of the Year
* Johnny Warren Medal
* Joe Marston Medal

Associated competitions|

* NSL Cup
* National Youth League

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