Northern Demons celebrate 60 years
Northern Demons will celebrate their 60-year anniversary this weekend when the Port Pirie-based club hosts South Adelaide at Byrne Park on Saturday.

Northern Demons midfielder Chris Annese with grandfather and inaugural Virtus member, Phillip Introna in the orginial strip

The club started in 1951 under the name Virtus during a time when the fishing industry in Port Pirie was thriving and the town was largely populated by Italian migrants from the Southern Italian fishing village of Molfetta.

The large Molfettese population had earlier formed the Port Pirie Savoy Soccer Club in 1949 and when the club split due to conflict and the increasing number of players, the Virtus Soccer Club was born.

"Initially, this team was made up of a heap of Italian lads that just wanted to play because they weren't getting a kick with Savoy," said Northern Demons chairman Tory Annese.

Inaugural captain Domenic LoBasso suggested the name Virtus, meaning 'strength and honour' in Latin, and Virtus adopted the colours of Molfetta – red and white.

Annese acknowledged the club's proud history and admitted he feels very privileged to be involved in such a special milestone.

Annese was also Chairman of the club when they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

"I'm certainly very honoured to be part of this weekend," he said.

"We're immensely proud and especially for me on a personal note. I was Chairman when it was our 50th anniversary, I'm Chairman for the 60th anniversary and for me, I'm very proud and honoured to be involved with the club."

Annese said the celebrations are made more significant by the fact that the only four remaining members of the inaugural squad that first took to the field for Virtus Soccer Club in 1951, will be involved in the celebrations.

Phillip Introna, Dino Fundas, Frank Binetti and Mick Capurso  will be paraded at half time of Saturday's match, as will John Pasculli, who also made his debut in 1951 as a the club's young mascot.

"We still have four original players from the first team that are still alive today and they'll be involved in a parade around the ground against South Adelaide on Saturday at half time," said Annese.

"We also have the mascot from the first team. He would have been about four or five years old then."

Annese admitted the long-standing success of the club has been built on the values that were instilled by its founders over a half a century ago.

"The family values that those people instilled 60 years ago we believe are still here today," he said.

"They could only have dreamt of the Virtus Soccer Club getting as big as it is today. There have been some fantastic people in the club's history."

Demons' cousins Chris Annese and Antony Introna have extra reason to celebrate with their grandfather Phillip Introna a member of the inaugural squad.

Chris Annese acknowledged the significance of the occasion and the pride in sharing the experience with his grandfather.

"It's a really special moment, not just for me but for the whole team," he said.

"The fact my grandfather played in the inaugural team and that I'm playing on Saturday when we celebrate 60 years is something special."

"He said he's excited that we are playing and can't wait for the weekend."