LIFE MEMBERSHIPS SHOCK SOCCER SERVANTS

1 April 2015

Shepparton News - Matthew Galea

Some of the biggest contributors to soccer in Shepparton have been recognised for their services to the game.

 

Football Federation Victoria integrated the life members from the defunct Goulburn North East Football Association and North Eastern Soccer League.

Five GNEFA life members were inducted: Frank Trimboli, Chris Davkovski, George Davkovski, Herbie Mathers and Mimmo Lia.

Trimboli — GNEFA’s last president — and Chris Davkovski were the only two on hand to personally receive the award, and both said the annual meeting was the best attended they had ever seen.

‘‘It was pretty overwhelming, it was the biggest crowd I have ever seen at an AGM,’’ Trimboli said.

‘‘There are a lotmore people interested in the game at this level than I have ever seen.

‘‘There were people that I’ve seen at these things for 20 years and there were people that I was seeing for the first time, so I said I hoped to see the new faces here for the next 20 years too.’’

Davkovski was made a life member of GNEFA in 2009 in recognition of his contribution to the sport as a player and administrator, joining his brother George in the process.

George was unable to attend in person, but Chris accepted the award on his behalf while claiming his own.

‘‘You don’t expect these things. You get involved in the sport because you love it, so it was special for me and my brother,’’ Davkovski said.

‘‘It was probably the best report I have heard at one of these meetings. They’ve got heaps of money in the bank instead of being in the red.

‘‘It’s good that they will run the Shepparton league now. I think you’ll find there will be a bit of a restructure after this season.’’

Mathers was made a life member of the NESL in the 1980s following a fine career as a player and then as a coach, but the Goulburn Valley soccer legend was surprised at the news.

‘‘I only realised this morning (the morning after the FFV AGM),’’ Mathers said.

‘‘I got a text from (son) Brent letting me know. I had no idea.

‘‘I just love the game. When I finished playing, I started coaching the league representative sides and I even took a team full of Victorian players to Holland. We played 14 games and won 13.

‘‘I would love to get more involved with the (Goulburn Valley) Suns, but time is an issue.’’

Shepparton South legend Vince Sagoleo was also granted life membership to FFV.