Launceston City Football Club is an Australian soccer club based in Launceston, Tasmania. The club was founded in 1957 and currently participating in the Tasmanian NPL Tasmania since 2013, run by the governing body Football Tasmania. The club has over 100 senior players across senior, women and social leagues.

Launceston City
Full nameLaunceston City Football Club
Nickname(s)City, Juventus, Juve
Founded1958[1]
GroundTassieCare Park, Prospect Vale
Capacity1,000
ChairmanLuigi Gugliotti
ManagerDaniel Syson
LeagueNPL Tasmania
20236th of 8
Websitehttps://launcestoncity.com.au

The junior club was briefly called "Westside Devils Soccer Club" from 1998 to 2016 and has since changed to Launceston City Devils. It has age groups from Under 6 to Under 17, and is one of the largest and most successful junior soccer clubs in the state with just under 600 registered juniors.

The club also heavily supports the participation of girls and women with many teams across different age groups and a senior women's team, which has been dominant since the turn of the century, picking up 9 Northern Premier League titles and going unbeaten over four league seasons between 2005 and 2008.

History

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Launceston City was founded in 1957 originally known as Roma. City was particularly dominant in the 1960s, when they won every season except 1964. Although Northern Tasmania's most successful club with 19 Northern titles, they have failed to repeat their dominance of the 60s. The club uses the colours of Juventus and has links to the club. Prior to the cessation of ethnic affiliations by Australian football clubs in 1997,[2] Launceston City were known as Launceston Juventus.

In 1978 Launceston Juventus relocated from their home ground at Brooks High School to Buckby Motors Park located in Prospect Vale next to the Australian Italian Club where the club is still playing home games till this day. TassieCare Park has two playing grounds, fully functional floodlights for night games, clubrooms and changerooms.

Launceston City fields teams in the National Premier League Tasmania NPL, the second tier of Australian football, Northern Championship, Northern League 1, Under 18's and competes in the Northern Women's Championship Team this makes up over 100 senior registered players.

With regard to youth and juniors as of 2024, the club has nearly 600 players, compromising of 58 junior teams and over 100 enrolments in the clubs 'Juventus Academy'.

Since 2018, a video of former goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos kicking the ball away prior to an opposition striker taking a penalty has been a regular viral video on social media. The move, designed to throw his opponent off balance psychologically just prior to taking the kick, resulted in Giantsopoulos being issued a yellow card, but the penalty went ahead. Giantsopoulos saved the goal.[3]

Club Crest

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Since Launceston City (Juventus) was founded in 1958 there has been four recorded club crests throughout the years.

First logo on record

 

The first ever recorded club crest since Launceston City's (Juventus) beginning in 1958 was this crest. Featuring the club's Italian heritage, resolve for success and the Launceston's coat of arms down the bottom of the crest. Which features with the two Tasmanian Tiger's holding the gold of the shield which refers to the early history of gold-mining in nearby hills. The blue represents the junction of the North and South Esk rivers where the city (symbolised by the gold central disc) was founded and the Tamar River flowing north to the Bass Strait. The club crest still features prominently outside the Launceston City change rooms to this day which was painted by life member Frank Stolp.

1980's

 

In the 1980s the club committee led by president and life member Ross Wesson formed a new design of the Launceston City (Juventus) club crest highlighting the club's relations to the club's Italian relations Juventus FC with the black and white stripes as seen on the club's home kits, the crest was used up until the early 2000s. The crest could be seen around Launceston in the form of stickers on motor vehicles and in the way of a keyring.

2008 to 2018

 

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the club began its fifth decade with a new logo created by David Jordaan. This logo pays homage to the Italian heritage and was the first to feature a soccer ball in the centre of the crest as well as a ribbon at the base of the crest that marked its establishment of 1958.

2018 to Current

 

Designed by Nathan Fellows of Freestyle FX Signs the design features a wreath to commemorate the clubs 60th year and is the current crest of Launceston City Football Club

Seasons - Men

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Season League Statewide Cup FFA Cup
Name (national level) Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Position Tasmanian Finals NPL Finals
2012 North Premier League (2) 16 5 3 8 22 40 −18 18 6th DNQ Did not exist First round Did not exist
2013 Victory League (2) 21 0 1 20 14 117 −103 1 8th DNQ DNQ Round of 16
2014 Victory League (2) 21 3 1 17 29 86 −57 10 8th DNQ DNQ Quarter-finals DNQ
2015 Victory League (2) 21 7 3 11 39 51 −12 24 5th Quarter-finals DNQ Quarter-finals DNQ
2016 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 7 2 12 24 58 −34 23 5th Quarter-finals DNQ Round of 16 DNQ
2017 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 5 3 13 25 58 −33 18 6th Quarter-finals DNQ Semi-finals DNQ
2018 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 11 4 6 56 32 24 37 4th Not held DNQ Semi-finals DNQ
2019 NPL Tasmania (2) 24 7 4 14 38 51 −13 25 7th Not held DNQ Round of 16 DNQ
2020 NPL Tasmania (2) 14 1 1 12 13 32 -19 4 8th Not held Cancelled Semi-finals Cancelled
2021 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 7 1 13 26 48 −22 22 5th Not held Not held Semi-finals DNQ
2022 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 9 2 10 31 44 −13 29 5th Not held Not held Round of 16 DNQ
2023 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 8 3 10 26 34 −8 27 6th Not held DNQ Quarter-finals DNQ
2024 NPL Tasmania (2) 21 9 4 8 38 34 4 31 5th Not held Not held Quarter-finals DNQ

Honours

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  • State Championships: (2) 1961, 1963
  • State Championships Runners-up: (12) 1960, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1995, 2001, 2005
  • Northern Premierships: (17) 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1984, 1986, 2001, 2005
  • Cadbury Trophy : (1) 1979
  • Northern Knockout Cup : (2) 1964, 1971
  • Advocate Coca-Cola Night Soccer Series : (1) 1981
  • Statewide Cup: (5) 1966, 1976, 1991, 2004, 2007
  • Statewide Cup Runners-up: (6) 1964, 1977, 1997, 2002, 2005, 2006
  • Steve Hudson Cup: (9) 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
  • Northern Women's Premier League: (16) 1987, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016
  • Women's State Championship: (2) 2007, 2012
  • Women's Statewide Cup: (1) 2015

Individual honours

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Men's State League Player of the Year

  • 1986 –   Colin Guest
  • 1987 –   Peter Savill
  • 1989 –   Peter Savill
  • 1994 –   Anthony Valentine

Men's State League Golden Boot

  • 1981 –   Peter Sawdon (20)

Also Rothmans Medal winner ( State League Player of the year) 1985 and 1988 with George Town United.

Women's State League Player of the Year

  • 2017 –   Beth Bygrave

Northern Men's League Golden Boot

  • 1969 –   Hans Streit (25)
  • 2004 –   Alex Brownlie (14)
  • 2005 –   Roger Mies

NPL Tasmania Rising Star Award

  • 2017 –   Noah Mies

NPL Tasmania Goal of the Year

  • 2018 –   Noah Mies

Northern Men's Best & Fairest

  • 2003 –   Justin Dyer

Northern Women's Best & Fairest

  • 2005 –   Jill Couch
  • 2013 –   Caitlin Storay
  • 2014 –   Caitlin Storay
  • 2015 –   Caitlin Storay

Northern Women's League Golden Boot

  • 2005 –   Chelsea Smith
  • 2008 –   Chelsea Smith

NPL TAS Coach of the Year

  • 2015 –   Lino Sciulli
  • 2022 –   Lino Sciulli

Hall of Fame Teams

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Men's 1958 - 1978
Player Position
  Len Gugliotti Goalkeeper
  Warren Lockett Goalkeeper
  Marshall Brown Goalkeeper
  Peter Mies (C) Centre half
  Tom Strickland Centre half
  Flavio De Paoli Left back
  Luigi Mischis Right back
  Terry Clark (VC) Midfield
  Arthur Webb Midfield
  Ross Wesson Midfield
  Tony Zanetto Midfield
  Billy Van Der Pols Left wing
  Mario Morosini Right wing
  Hans Streit Forward
  Enrico Visentin Forward
Men's 1979 - 2008
Player Position
  Nick Scott Goalkeeper
  Alex Brownlie Centre back
  Ernie Guest Centre back
  Steve Guest Centre back
  Jeff Butler Left back
  Barry Hemsley Full back
  Justin Dyer Midfield
  Luigi Gugliotti Midfield
  Leighton Hodge Midfield
  Liam Monagle (VC) Midfield
  Peter Savill (C) Midfield
  Tony Valentine Midfield
  Colin Guest Forward
  Roger Mies Forward
  Peter Sawdon Forward
Women's 1983 - 2008
Player Position
  Anna Lord Goalkeeper
  Amanda Newson Goalkeeper
  Melissa Wilcox (née Dyer) Centre back
  Sharon O'Halloran Centre back
  Jenny Duffy Full back
  Jenni Jones Full back
  Anna Luciani Full back
  Kirsten Mccreghan Full back
  Kristen Beams Midfield
  Jill Couch (C) Midfield
  Kailee Goodwin Midfield
  Mandy Di Guglielmo (VC) Midfield
  Kylie Jones Midfield
  Julie Webb Midfield
  Chelsea Smith Forward

Office Holders

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Years Chairman Senior President Junior President Treasurer Secretary
1958 N/A   Frank Buttazoni N/A
1959 N/A   Frank Buttazoni N/A
1960 N/A   Frank Buttazoni N/A
1961 N/A   Frank Buttazoni N/A
1962 N/A N/A
1963 N/A N/A
1964 N/A N/A
1965 N/A N/A
1966 N/A N/A
1967 N/A N/A
1968 N/A N/A
1969 N/A N/A
1970 N/A N/A
1971 N/A N/A
1972 N/A N/A
1973 N/A N/A
1974 N/A N/A
1975 N/A N/A
1976 N/A N/A
1977 N/A N/A
1978 N/A   Alec McNeill
1979 N/A   Peter Mies N/A
1980 N/A   Peter Mies N/A
1981 N/A   Peter Mies N/A
1982 N/A   Peter Mies N/A
1983 N/A   Peter Mies N/A
1984 N/A   Frank Stolp   Rob Brewer
1985 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1986 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1987 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1988 N/A   Doc Burdon   Rob Brewer
1989 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1990 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1991 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1992 N/A   Frank Stolp   Rob Brewer
1993 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1994 N/A   Kerry Dennis   Rob Brewer
1995 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1996 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1997 N/A   Ross Wesson   Rob Brewer
1998 N/A   Peter Mies   Rob Brewer
1999 N/A   Peter Mies   Rob Brewer
2000 N/A   Peter Mies   Rob Brewer
2001 N/A   Robert Luciani   Rob Brewer
2002 N/A   Robert Luciani   Rob Brewer
2003 N/A   Robert Luciani   Rob Brewer
2004 N/A   Noel Van Est   Rob Brewer
2004 N/A   Noel Van Est   Rob Brewer
2005 N/A   Noel Van Est   Rob Brewer
2006 N/A   Noel Van Est   Rob Brewer
2007 N/A   Noel Van Est   Rob Brewer
2008 N/A   Noel Van Est   Rob Brewer
2009 N/A   Jason Jones   Michael Hancox
2010 N/A   Jason Jones   Michael Hancox
2011 N/A   Jason Jones   Michael Hancox
2012 N/A   Jason Jones   Michael Hancox
2013 N/A   Jason Jones   Michael Hancox
2014 N/A   David Backhouse   Michael Hancox   Rob Luciani   Jenny Duffy
2015 N/A   Austin Fagan   Michael Hancox   David Backhouse   Jenny Duffy
2016 N/A   Austin Fagan   Michael Hancox   David Backhouse   Jenny Duffy
2017 N/A   Austin Fagan   Michael Hancox   David Backhouse   Jenny Duffy
2017 N/A   Austin Fagan   Brook Noble   David Backhouse   Jenny Duffy
2018   Andrew Heap;   Robert Dorazio   Brook Noble   David Backhouse;   Roger Mies   Jenny Duffy;   Amanda Murphy
Junior & senior committees amalgamated into one club and formed an overarching board to oversee all operations of the football club
2019   Luigi Gugliotti   Danny Linger   Alex Aylott   Chris Hennessy   Amy Geach;   Debbie Ratcliffe
2020   Luigi Gugliotti   Danny Linger   Tarnya Frost   Chris Hennessy   Debbie Ratcliffe
2021   Luigi Gugliotti   Danny Linger   Tarnya Frost   Chris Hennessy   Debbie Ratcliffe
2022   Luigi Gugliotti   Danny Linger   Tarnya Frost   Ric De Santi   Debbie Ratcliffe
2023   Luigi Gugliotti   Danny Linger   Joshua Perry   Ric De Santi   Debbie Ratcliffe;   Jessica Woodroffe
2024   Luigi Gugliotti   Danny Linger   Joshua Perry   Ric De Santi   Jessica Woodroffe

Life Members

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Years Life Member
1979   Eddie Vedovelli |   Aldo De Santi
1980   Peter Mies |   Hans Streit |   Tom Strickland
1981   Sergio Del Grande
1982   Enrico Visentin |   Mario Morosini
1983   Christine Mies
1987   Ross Wesson
1990   Ric De Santi |   Leighton Hodge |   Peter Savill
1992   Barry Hemsley
1999   Roger Mies
2000   Mandy Di Gugliemo |   Robert Luciani
2002   Luigi Gugliotti
2005   Jessie McKay
2008   David Craig |   Jenny Duffy |   Jeff Butler |   Jill Couch
2010   Noel Van Est |   Tony Rossi |   Jason Jones
2014   Lino Sciulli |   Matthew Heather
2015   Mick Egan
2016   Bill Couch
2020   Jamie Richardson
2021   Danny Linger |   Melissa Wilcox (née Dyer)
2023   Justin Dyer
2024   Robert D'Orazio
Years Westside Devils Life Member
  Rob Brewer
  Veronica Brewer
  Noel Van Est
  Judy Avnell
  Ian Loft
  Jeff Garwood
  Ken Claridge
  Mick Egan
  Tony Rossi
  Nigel Ratcliffe
  John McKenna
  Scott Hudson
  Dirk Nankervis
  Maree Bauld
  Garry Swan
  Paul Mischis
  Austin Fagan
  Peter Ryan
  Louise Lucas
  Cathy Hancox
  Sharon Parker
  Michael Hancox

Senior Men - Honour List

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Year Head Coach Captain Best & Fairest Golden Boot
1958
1959   Albert Clark   Terry Clark
1960   Albert Clark   Terry Clark
1961   Albert Clark   Terry Clark
1962   Albert Clark   Terry Clark
1963   Albert Clark
1964   Peter Mies
1965   George Arnott
1966
1967
1968
1969   Hans Streit (25)
1970
1971
1972   John Austin
1973   Tom Strickland
1974
1975   Ross Wesson   Hans Streit
1976   John Austin
1977
1978   Tom Strickland;   Jock Glass   Tom Strickland
1979   Paul Throssel   Tom Strickland
1980   Ross Wesson
1981   Ken Worden   Peter Sawdon   Peter Sawdon (20)
1982   Bobby Kent   Peter Savill
1983   Bobby Kent   Peter Savill
1984   Ross Wesson   Barry Hemsley
1985   Lars McNaughton   Shane Dennis
1986   Leighton Hodge   Colin Guest
1987   Leighton Hodge   Colin Guest;   Peter Savill
1988   Ross Wesson   Luigi Gugliotti   Peter Savill
1989   Peter Savill   Liam Monagle
1990   Peter Savill   Roger Mies
1991   Peter Savill   Liam Monagle   Paul Gimpl   Roger Mies (11)
1992   Peter Savill   Liam Monagle   Drew McNeill
1993   David Craig   Liam Monagle   Roger Mies
1994   David Craig   Roger Mies   John Visentin
1995   David Craig   Roger Mies   John Compagne
1996   Peter Davidson   Roger Mies   Justin Dyer
1997   Lino Sciulli   Justin Dyer   Chris Couch
1998   Peter Sawdon   Justin Dyer   Justin Dyer;   Mark Donohue
1999   David Craig   Justin Dyer   Roger Mies   Jason Clayton (14)
2000   David Craig   Justin Dyer   Alex Brownlie
2001   Luigi Gugliotti   Justin Dyer   Justin Dyer
2002   Luigi Gugliotti   Justin Dyer   Alex Brownlie;   Nick Macri;   Ben Van Est
2003   Luigi Gugliotti   Justin Dyer   Roger Mies   Nick Macri (12)
2004   Luigi Gugliotti   Justin Dyer   David Jordaan   Alex Brownlie (14)
2005   Ken Morton   David Jordaan   Roger Mies   Roger Mies (14)
2006   Luigi Gugliotti   Justin Dyer   Alex Brownlie;   Justin Dyer   Drew McNeill (13)
2007   David Craig   Alex Brownlie   Justin Dyer   Roger Mies (14)
2008   Peter Savill   Michael Frost   Michael Frost   Michael Frost;   Sam Morley (6)
2009   Peter Savill   Michael Frost   Luke Kolodjashnij   Chris Hill (5)
2010   Kurt Reynolds   Luke Kolodjashnij   Luke Kolodjashnij   Antonio Macri (15)
2011   Lino Sciulli   Luke Kolodjashnij   Michael Beechey
2012   Lino Sciulli   Michael Frost   Sam Morley   Antonio Macri (8)
2013   Dane Hudson;   Mark Egan   Shane Egan   Alex Sciulli   Saeed Bin Sumaida (5)
2014   Kurt Reynolds   Nathan Bartlett   Nick Abougelis;   Nathan Bartlett   Nathan Bartlett (6)
2015   Lino Sciulli   Toby Omenihu   Dominic Rossi   Dominic Rossi (8)
2016   Lino Sciulli   Toby Omenihu   Aaron Campbell   Nathan Bartlett;   Aaron Campbell (5)
2017   Ben Brookfield   Nathan Butler   Aaron Campbell   Noah Mies (6)
2018   Jes Kenth   Daniel Syson   Daniel Syson   Tyler Fischer (19)
2019   Peter Sawdon;   Lino Sciulli   Lindsay Millington   Charlie Dyer   Noah Mies (16)
2020   Roger Hardwicke   Samuel Ridgard   Matthew Oh   Samuel Ridgard (6)
2021   Roger Hardwicke;   Lino Sciulli   Jarrod Linger   Jarrod Linger   Yasin Mohammadi;   Daniel Smith (6)
2022   Lino Sciulli   Lachlan Clark   Lachlan Clark   Albert Amankwaa (8)
2023   Daniel Syson   Lachlan Clark /   Joel Stone   Joel Stone   Toby Simeoni (6)
2024   Daniel Syson   Lachlan Clark /   Joel Stone   Thierry Swaby   Thierry Swaby (18)

Senior Women - Honour List

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Year Head Coach Captain Best & Fairest Golden Boot
1983   Kerry Dennis
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995   Jill Couch
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001   Jason Jones
2002   Jason Jones
2003   Ben Quor   Melissa Wilcox (née Dyer)   Jacqui Hernández-Morales   Chelsea Smith (24)
2004   Ben Quor   Jill Couch   Jill Couch   Chelsea Smith (35)
2005   Jason Jones
2006   Jason Jones   Jill Couch (26)
2007   Jason Jones   Chelsea Smith (44)
2008   Jason Jones   Chelsea Smith (43)
2009   Jason Jones   Chelsea Smith (58)
2010   Jason Jones   Chelsea Smith (44)
2011   Jason Jones
2012   Jason Jones   Jill Couch   Jacinta Hall   Lauren Hough (35)
2013   Jacinta Hall   Caitlin Storay (17)
2014   Col Nicholson   Jemma Storay   Caitlin Storay (24)
2015   Jason Jones   Caitlin Storay   Chelsea Smith (41)
2016   Jason Jones   Caitlin Storay   Beth Bygrave   Jazmin Gorrie (14)
2017   Luigi Gugliotti   Caitlin Storay   Beth Bygrave   Emily Hernyk (22)
2018   Luigi Gugliotti   Selina Steventon   Brooke Hernyk   Keilin Fagan;   Emily Hernyk (12)
No women's team in 2019
2020   Barry Baker   / Darren Cook   Kiara Walsh   Sarah Campbell   Sarah Campbell (4)
2021   Barry Baker   Sarah Campbell   Aimee Hawes   Zali Kirkman (19)
2022   Richard Reilly   Sarah Campbell   Sarah Campbell   Rebecca Barrett (8)
2023   Richard Reilly /   Jason Hawes   Sarah Campbell   Sarah Campbell   Isabella Taylor (5)
2024   Michael Cheney /   Stephen Pearce   Sarah Campbell   Sarah Campbell   Sarah Campbell;   Amali Wynter (5)

References

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  1. ^ "Launceston City Football Club Official Site".
  2. ^ "MARKETING MEETS MULTICULTURALISM: DAVID HILL'S NATIONAL MERCHANDISING PLAN, 1996-97". Leopold Method. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Goalkeeper Goes Viral For The Most Incredible Piece Of Football Sh*thousery". www.sportbible.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
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