Melbourne Knights president Pave Jusup invited the President of SMFC Nick Maikousis, Chairman Bill Papastergiadis, Head of Football Andrew Mesourouni and also Tony Margaritis to an event at Knights Stadium to mark the great history between these two clubs. The function was held immediately before the scheduled match between the two teams
As Jusup said “ you cannot manufacture a rivalry. It comes through history and passionate supporters”
Jusup also noted that clubs like SMFC and Knights should be playing top flight football and that it was time to make this happen
The event was also used to discuss the upcoming proposed National Second Division
Both Chris Nikou and Nick Galatas indicated in their speeches that this national competition could be up and running in 2023.
Andrew Marth a champion of Knights during the NSL, recounted the thrill of playing in front of thousands of supporters when up against South. “It was real and it was passionate”, he said. It was also noted that in that era a number of players had worn both shirts like Allan Davidson and Fausto D’Amici, amongst many others
Nick Maikousis was impressed with the welcoming that SMFC received from Knights at this event highlighting how we are fierce competitors on the pitch but at the same time there is mutual respect at board level.
Andrew Mesourouni and Bill Papastergiadis spoke with Jusup about the thriller that was played out the Tuesday before in the FFA cup. “The thousands that attended the FFA cup game reflected the need for there to be a revamp of the structure of Football in this country” said Bill Papastergiadis. “Such passion and support cannot be ignored” he said
Andrew Mesourouni said “it’s time now to make the National Second Division a reality”