“It’s been a long time – 38 years, but it’s fantastic.”

That’s how former Adelaide University Soccer Club player, Frank Grauso, sums up the Blacks return to Football Federation SA’s Senior Men’s competition.

Frank, a playing member at the University when it was last apart of the Federation in 1979, continues to describe his experience in the late 70’s before comparing that to today – which only highlights how football has grown in South Australia.

“The two years I spent playing here were so enjoyable, so relaxing – those few years are why I’ve stayed with the Club until now,” said Frank.

“In 1979, we only had the one squad.”

“Nowadays, when you arrive for Tuesday night training, you’ve got squads everywhere, there are many women’s squads playing now too.”

Frank isn’t the only player from yesteryear who is excited about the upcoming 2017 Season.

“I wish someone like Bill Hill was here to tell you himself but he is so happy,” said Frank.

“Bill Barbari (who passed away four years ago) in particular, would love it. He won the best player in the old Metro League for two years running and in the third year he only played half a season and finished runner-up!”

“We used to keep in contact and catch up for coffee once a week and conversation would always direct back to the years we played together.”

From the late 70’s to today and Frank can’t wait for the new season to begin and to see how the University will fare in their return to the Federation’s third division – State League 2.

“I think success will be measured in finishing of the season strongly with everyone happy,” said Frank.

“In my view, there’s no requirement to win or do anything super outstanding but of course, if that potential is within the group to succeed, then we go for it.”

“But realistically, we just need to finish off the season in better shape than we started it, I think that will be a success.”

This optimism is shared by their custodian of today, goalkeeper Hayden Lyall.

“If we keep the core group that we’ve got, we’re pushing pretty high,” said Hayden.

“We’ve got players who have played for clubs like Campbelltown City.”

“We’ve played teams that are around the mark of State League and Northern Demons for example, we’ve had pre-season games against them and beat them.”

Hayden says the culture around the Club is made stronger by the presence of past players like Frank.

“There’s a lot of history there,” he said.

“It means a lot to players who used to play as well and attracting them back to the Club from the glory days of the older Adelaide University teams.”

“This can only build on the culture that we’ve currently got in place.”

With the University’s Senior Men’s & Women’s teams both now playing in the Federation’s competition, attention has turned to retaining and developing talent internally, with the establishment of junior teams.

“Three or four years ago we started the Junior Boys and there’s some good kids coming through from there so the future is very exciting,” said Club Chairperson, Kevin Holohan.

“I don’t think many people realise how many junior teams we’ve actually got,” said Hayden.

“From next we’ll have from Under 17’s down to Under 9’s, being able to retain these kids is going to build the future of this Club.”

With the University of South Australia also being introduced to State League 2 next season, no chat would be complete without asking about the newly-established ‘University Derby”.

“Minimum of a 4-0 win, I’ll be disappointed if we don’t beat them by at least four goals,” joked Frank.

“I suppose we’ve got them covered, or I hope we do anyway,” said Hayden.

“Hopefully a bit of a rivalry can build there and it can become something big.”