Heidelberg United Football Club is mourning the deaths of two of its former presidents John Dimtsis and Arthur Nicolaidis.
While no futher information was available at the time of writing the club said in a statement following Mr Nicolaidis’ death: “Heidelberg United FC (Μέγας Αλέξανδρος) is saddened to hear of the passing of former President Arthur Nicolaidis. We send our condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.”
Mr Nicolaidis had served as club president in the early 1970s.
Neos Kosmos has learnt that Mr Dimtsis died on Tuesday after a long battle with illness.
Mr Dimtsis became the president in 2013 at a crucial point in Heidelberg United’s history when it was fighting to gain promotion from State League 1 to the Premier League at a time when the National Premier League (NPL) was to be launched in the following season.
Mr Dimitsis was quick to realise that promotion would ensure that Heidelberg United would be able to compete in the NPL in 2014.
But his contribution to the club and to football began many years before in the late 1960s when he joined the then Alexander the Great – Melbourne Soccer Club. His work soon earned him a place on the club board where he was to serve as treasurer for a number of years.
His skills were also noticed by the Victorian Soccer Federation (VSF) which appointed him to its board in 1972. In 1973, he became the VSF treasurer while continuing to serve in that role for Heidelberg United.
He succeeded Theo Marmaras as president of the VSF in 1980, a position he was to hold until 1991. During his term, he responded to criticism that the VSF was too focussed on Melbourne by launching a number of initiatives including “state of origin” matches between Sunraysia and the equivalent region in South Australia.
In 1991, working with Vito Cilauro and George Wallace, Mr Dimitsis introduced the restructured top-tier Victoria Premier League. He retained his role as president of the VSF and became the Treasurer of the Australian Soccer Federation (ASF) and Deputy Chair under John Constantine following the implementation of the Bradley Report.
He helped to negotiate the merger of men and women’s football organisations and helped the latter’s entry into Olympic competitions.
In 1988, under the VSF, he presided over the World Indoor Cup tournament in Melbourne when futsal was under the control of the Federation International de Football de Salon (FIFUSA).
In 1995, following the departure of John Constantine, Mr Dimtsis served as acting chairman of the ASF until David Hill took over that role.
Five years after he ended his tenure with the ASF, he returned to his beloved Heidelberg United as he felt he still had more to offer the club.
In 2016, he was made an honorary life member of Heidelberg United. The following year he was inducted into Victorian Football’s Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport in the state.
Heidelberg United FC said in statement: “John was a much-valued member and contributor of our Club. His contribution will never be forgotten. Up until his final days John’s thoughts were often with his beloved Club wanting to know ‘how things were going’.
“Our sincere condolences to John’s family at this time. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. May you Rest in Peace JD.”
