There goes round 1

Round one versus Heidelberg was probably the match I was most nervous about. The history of the rivalry precedes me, but I knew it could hurt our chances of ever pulling a crowd again if we didn't do well. This was our first game in the VPL, where crowds are expected to drop after the NSL. It was also our first game with a team assembled practically from scratch over the long off season; the team which had completely failed to impress in the pre-season matches.

The game drew over 11,000 fans. Had we tanked it, we might be looking at drawing only a couple of thousand through the gates each week for the rest of the season, and even the return match at Heidelberg wouldn't be expected to gather a big crowd. South supporters are a fickle bunch, and if the team's not doing well they seem quite happy to stay at home.

Fortunately we did ourselves proud. The match ended nil-all, but from where I stood it was South who created all the chances. On pre-season form I'm a little thankful Heidelberg didn't test Deano too much, because our defence seems to be our weakest link - despite recent seasons when it was probably our strongest.

The noisy bunch at Clarendon Corner kept the noise up all game. That's where I stand, because it's where my friends have stood since I met them. I'm really not sure how much the noise travels across the pitch, but I'm certain they can hear us loud and clear on the near side. Boutsi took a couple of corners near us, which provoked a few "fence runs" - a mass of people yell and make the short run down the terraces to the fence, and the effect is like an onrushing barbarian army. I'm not sure that it's always intimidating for opposition players, because often the barbarian warriors are wearing huge grins.

When the match finished there was a sense of relief and excitement, because we stood firm and showed a glimmer of promise for the season. I think the next few matches will start with a similar anxiety - the team is yet to prove itself - but at least we start the season facing in the right direction. This weekend we host Saint Albans, who lost 2-0 last week away to Sunshine.

Match day one

I picked up my membership on Friday. I bought it last year, when then-South player Sam Poutakidis rang me up as part of a fundraising drive. The club was on the brink of being liquidated, unless they came up with a truckload of cash to pay off some bills.

So the first game is tonight, at 6 pm. South kick off the season with a game against traditional rivals Heidelberg United. The last time South hosted Heidelberg in a competitive match was in October 1994, at Middle Park. The only South player from that match in tonight's game is playing for Heidelberg, the infamous Con Boutsianis. Boutsi has been arguably one of the club's most technically impressive players, scoring spectacular goals from free kicks and open play. His frequent transfers back and forth keep him teetering between crowd favorite and villain, however. Tonight, some South fans are planning on donning balaclavas in memory of his involvement in an armed robbery.

Near-liquidation, 10 months without a game, and virtual relegation as the old National League was dismantled have taken their toll on the squad. Experienced kiwi international Vaughan Coveny is the only regular from last year's team. Most players moved to VPL clubs when the NSL folded, which means we'll be facing them this season. Goalkeeper Dean Anastasiadis is once again the first choice, and former player Con Blatsis returns to the squad in a few weeks after playing in England and Turkey. The rest of our squad is very young, and judging from the pre-season friendlies, not quite ready to take on the world.

But that doesn't matter. The cruelly long off-season is now over. Tonight is the first game of the season, and of South's new life in the state's top league. I get to put on my hat and shirt, catch up with old friends at the pub, and perhaps sing in the odd chorus of "South Melbourne, South Melbourne, Ole Ole Ole." I've missed it!

A pre-season with South Melbourne

Tonight South travel North up the CityLink to play Essendon. Essendon Royals' home ground is listed on the VSF website as "Reggio Calabria Club, 29-D9". How fantastic is that - a Melways reference is listed for each home ground on the fixtures. The NSL didn't have Melways reference s in the fixtures - Auckland and Perth are just slightly off the map of Greater Melbourne.

It's difficult to find any info on the club - their web page isn't up - but last I knew, South legend David Clarkson was coach, and some South players played there in the VPL 2004 season. I met Clarky once - I had somehow found myself as South's club photographer, and took some photos as David was presented with a car from sponsors. He was one of my favorite South players to watch - no matter where the ball was, Clarky was chasing after it. The goals he scored were a rare but spectacular treat; long range bullets that came out of nowhere.

My mobile phone said "Telstra - Essendon" just now, as if Telstra Mobilenet are now announcing South fixtures straight to my phone. I actually live in Pascoe Vale South, but I'm not far from 29-D9. Travelling to an away game will never be easier.

A Season With South Melbourne

I started following South during the 1997/98 season, just in time for the first of the back-to-back championships. My old flatmate Graham and I used to watch soccer on TV, and one of his workmates suggested we should go watch South play.

I watched the 97/98 grand final on TV, taped from the night before. I spent the Saturday night at a party, but fortunately remembered to set the VCR. When I watched the game the next afternoon, I was intrigued - moments like half the team celebrating a disallowed goal while Carlton played on and nearly nicked one of their own, Boutsi brushing past Douglas to score the winner, the flares, the crowd going ballistic, Lozza's free kicks - though I didn't know any of the names then, these moments made me want to watch more.

Graham and I drove down to BJS in '98 to see South play Gippsland. We got hot dogs and stood behind the southern goal - it seemed a popular place to be. South scored in the first few minutes, the crowd behind the goals started jumping up and down, and there was something electric in the atmosphere. From that moment, I fell absolutely in love with South Melbourne.

Our relationship hasn't been the most perfect. Disillusionment after AGMs, arguments with mad women and children in Wollongong, and the 12 hour bus trip after getting thumping 6-0 by Sydney Olympic. But then there's been Brazil, Boutsi's goal scored in open play from 50 metres, Clarky playing in the 98/99 GF, and Clarendon Corner 10-minute epic rolling chants, and fantastic people I've met. Beating Olympic 2-0 a few days after the thumping also makes a difference.

With the NSL wrapping up early in 2004, South return to the Victorian Premier League. I've been warned not to be drawn too far in to the romance of it all, but the matches I've enjoyed the most have been the derbies against Carlton and the Knights, and travelling to away games to watch South steal the smiles off the faces of the locals. The VPL brings all this back home - well, not Carlton, who are buried 6 feet under Epping Stadium, but local derbies and away games every other week.

There might not be the interstate bus trips or rental Targas flying up the Hume highway, but I am looking forward to this season like no other. It's been a long wait - the NSL would have kicked off a few months ago - but the fixtures are out. This season's going to be a ripper.