Para Hills Knights SC
Para Hills Knights SC is a semi-professional soccer club based in Para Hills West, a suburb in the north of Adelaide. The club was founded in 1964, joining the Federation in 1966. The club currently plays in State League 1 South Australia.
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| Full name | Para Hills Knights Soccer Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Knights | ||
| Founded | 24 March 1964 | ||
| Ground | The Paddocks[1] | ||
| Capacity | 1,000 | ||
| Chairman | Dale Ramsey | ||
| Manager | Theo Tsiounis[2] | ||
| League | SA State League 1 | ||
| 2023 | 2nd of 12 (promoted) | ||
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The club has won multiple second division titles, and finished runners-up in the first division 1980, and have reached the final of the Federation Cup on four occasions, most recently in 2012. They have played on the national stage on one occasion, in the 1981 NSL Cup, losing 0–3 to NSL side West Adelaide Hellas in their only game.
History
The Para Hills Community Soccer Club was formed by Robert Eldridge, John Eldridge, Chick Harris, John West, Andy Balter and Malcolm Owen on 24 March 1964. The aim of the club being to foster and promote the game of soccer in the Northern Suburbs. The Eldridge brothers were Tottenham Hotspur supporters, so their kit early on was full white.[4] The club set the goal of playing first division soccer within 10 years. In 1965 the club entered a team in the Sunday Industrial League. On 4 April 1965 the club played its first competitive senior game losing 3–1 with Chris Pawley scoring the first goal for the club.
The following year the club entered the South Australian Soccer Federation and once again the first game resulted in a defeat, 2–1 with the first goal in the Federation being scored by Dave Barry. In 1967 the club won its first pieces of silverware, winning the third division, and the Rowely Cup.[5]
In 1976, one year later than the club originally aimed for, Para Hills won promotion to South Australia's first division. Before the start of the 1977 season, the club left its base at Nelson Road to move to new facilities at The Paddocks. The club's first game in the first division was a 4-3 victory against Campbelltown Budapest on the new pitch, the winning goal scored by Harry McDonald. By the third week, the club had achieved its only two wins of the league season, narrowly avoiding relegation.[6]
In Para Hill's fourth year in the top division, they finished one point behind Premiers Adelaide Croatia Raiders, missing out on top spot after a 1–1 draw with them in the final round. A month later, they won the Coca Cola Challenge Cup after a 3–0 win over Adelaide Croatia Raiders, which was their first major silverware in the club's 17 year history.[7][8]
Para Hills became Para Hills Knights for the 1994 season.[9]
Players
Current squad
Squad correct as of 9 September 2023.[10]
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Notable former players
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Joel Allwright- Louis Brain
- Lachlan Brook (junior)
- Martyn Crook
- Yaya Dukuly (junior)
- Aaron Goulding
- Jordan Elsey
Sherwin Emmanuel- Craig Goodwin (junior)
- Steven Hall (junior)
- Michael Marrone
- Dylan McGowan (junior)
- Ryan McGowan
- Jacob Melling
- Daniel Mullen
- Joe Mullen
Bobby Petta- Kristian Rees
Jagajeet Shrestha- Chris Sullivan
- Scott Tunbridge
- Charlie Villani
- Aaron Westervelt
Thilo Wilke
Honours
State
- National Premier Leagues South Australia Championship[11]
- Runner-up (1): 1980
- National Premier Leagues South Australia Premiership[11]
- Runner-up (1): 2010
- State League 1 South Australia Championship[12]
- Winners (4): 1976, 1990, 2006, 2012
- Runner-up (7): 1975, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2016, 2022, 2023
- State League 1 South Australia Premiership[12]
- Winners (1): 1995
- Runner-up (4): 2001, 2004, 2016, 2023
- State League 2 South Australia Championship[13]
- Winners (1): 1967
- Runner-up (4): 1982, 1986, 1989, 2012
- Second Division Cup[15]
- Winners (1): 1976
- Third Division Cup[15]
- Winners (1): 1967
- Top Four Cup[16]
- Winners (1): 1980
- Runner-up (1): 1984
- Night Series[17]
- Winners (1): 2007
Divisional history
| Season | League[18][19][20] | Federation Cup[18] | Others | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Pts | Position | Finals | |||
| 1965 | South Australian Sunday Industrial League (–) | ||||||||||||
| 1966 | South Australian Division Three (4) | 18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 44 | 28 | +16 | 24 | 4th | First Round | ||
| 1967 | South Australian Division Three (4) | 22 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 80 | 22 | +58 | 39 | 1st (P) | Round of 16 | Rowley Cup Champions | |
| 1968 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 25 | +7 | 20 | 3rd | Third Round | ||
| 1969 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 25 | -5 | 20 | 3rd | Round of 16 | ||
| 1970 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 17 | 6th | Round of 16 | ||
| 1971 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 39 | 30 | +9 | 19 | 4th | First Round | ||
| 1972 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 18 | 6th | First Round | ||
| 1973 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 32 | -6 | 13 | 8th | First Round | ||
| 1974 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 28 | 34 | -6 | 17 | 5th | Round of 16 | ||
| 1975 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 18 | +12 | 24 | 2nd | Round of 16 | ||
| 1976 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 17 | +18 | 28 | 1st (P) | Round of 16 | John Martins Cup Champions | |
| 1977 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 39 | -20 | 10 | 9th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1978 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 15 | 8th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1979 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 16 | 6th | Round of 16 | ||
| 1980 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 38 | 21 | +17 | 23 | 2nd | Round of 16 | Challenge Cup Champions | |
| 1981 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 18 | 5th | Unknown | NSL Cup First Round | |
| 1982 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 34 | 24 | +10 | 22 | 4th | Runner-Up | ||
| 1983 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 22 | 4th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1984 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 25 | +8 | 26 | 4th | Round of 16 | Challenge Cup Runner-Up | |
| 1985 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 35 | 38 | -3 | 20 | 7th | Semi Finals | ||
| 1986 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 31 | 33 | -2 | 21 | 7th | Runner-Up | ||
| 1987 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 32 | 23 | +9 | 22 | 6th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1988 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 30 | -7 | 20 | 8th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1989 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 34 | -16 | 13 | 11th (R) | Runner-Up | ||
| 1990 | South Australian Division Two (3) | 18 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 28 | 10 | +18 | 26 | 1st (P) | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1991 | South Australian Division One (2) | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 38 | 31 | +7 | 26 | 3rd | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1992 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 17 | 7th | Round of 16 | ||
| 1993 | South Australian Division One (2) | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 29 | -9 | 15 | 10th (R) | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1994 | South Australia State League (3) | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 28 | 21 | +7 | 20 | 5th | Preliminary Final | Round of 16 | |
| 1995 | South Australia State League (3) | 20 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 42 | 41 | +21 | 47 | 1st | Runner-Up | Unknown | |
| 1996 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 70 | 30 | +40 | 45 | 4th | Preliminary Final | Unknown | |
| 1997 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 43 | 48 | -5 | 33 | 6th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 1998 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 38 | 37 | +1 | 33 | 6th (P) | Runner-Up | Round of 16 | |
| 1999 | South Australia Premier League (2) | 22 | 4 | 5 | 13 | 26 | 45 | -19 | 17 | 11th (R) | Round of 32 | ||
| 2000 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 49 | 27 | +22 | 38 | 4th | Elimination Final | First Round | |
| 2001 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 50 | 21 | +29 | 48 | 2nd (P) | Runner-Up | Round of 32 | |
| 2002 | South Australia Premier League (2) | 22 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 26 | 53 | -27 | 24 | 9th | First Round | ||
| 2003 | South Australia Premier League (2) | 22 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 31 | 47 | -16 | 18 | 11th (R) | Round of 16 | ||
| 2004 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 59 | 26 | +33 | 48 | 2nd | Preliminary Final | Round of 32 | |
| 2005 | South Australia State League (3) | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 64 | 39 | +25 | 37 | 4th | Elimination Final | Round of 16 | |
| 2006 | South Australia Premier League (3) | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 59 | 19 | +37 | 45 | 1st (P) | Round of 16 | ||
| 2007 | South Australia Super League (2) | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 37 | -2 | 24 | 5th | Round of 16 | Summer Night Series Champions | |
| 2008 | South Australia Super League (2) | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 28 | 25 | +3 | 28 | 4th | Elimination Final | Second Round | |
| 2009 | South Australia Super League (2) | 18 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 25 | 28 | -3 | 23 | 7th | Round of 16 | ||
| 2010 | South Australia Super League (2) | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 28 | 19 | +9 | 32 | 2nd | Semi Finals | Round of 32 | |
| 2011 | South Australia Super League (2) | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 31 | -19 | 13 | 9th (R) | Round of 32 | ||
| 2012 | South Australia Premier League (3) | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 19 | +14 | 34 | 1st (P) | Runner-Up | ||
| 2013 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 47 | 45 | +2 | 35 | 9th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 2014 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 26 | 9 | 2 | 15 | 34 | 55 | -21 | 29 | 9th | Quarter Finals | ||
| 2015 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 26 | 3 | 5 | 18 | 30 | 56 | -26 | 14 | 14th (R) | Quarter Finals | ||
| 2016 | State League One South Australia (3) | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 27 | +6 | 43 | 2nd (P) | Runner-Up | Round of 32 | |
| 2017 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 22 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 28 | 36 | -8 | 33 | 5th | Elimination Final | Quarter Final | |
| 2018 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 22 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 27 | 38 | -11 | 25 | 8th | Round of 32 | ||
| 2019 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 31 | 34 | -3 | 28 | 9th | Round of 16 | ||
| 2020 | National Premier Leagues South Australia (2) | 22 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 18 | 42 | -24 | 11 | 12th (R) | Not Held | ||
| 2021 | State League One South Australia (3) | 22 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 17 | +4 | 35 | 5th | Elimination Final | Second round | |
| 2022 | State League One South Australia (3) | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 35 | 28 | +7 | 40 | 4th | Runner-Up | First round | |
| 2023 | State League One South Australia (3) | To be determined | First round | ||||||||||
References
- "The Paddocks, home to Para Hills Knights". Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- Greenwood, Rob (17 September 2019). "Former Adelaide Comets NPL SA coach Theo Tsiounis unveiled as new Para Hills mentor". Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- "South Australian Soccer Federation Yearbook 1966–67". 23 February 2023. p. 45. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- "#HistoryMakers Episode 6 - Para Hills Knights". 5 April 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
- "South Australian Division Three 1966 – Schedule". Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- "South Australian Division Two 1976 – Schedule". Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- "South Australian Division One 1980 – Schedule". Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- "History - Para Hills Knights". Gameday. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- "South Australian Soccer Federation Yearbook 1994". 24 February 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- "2023 Grand Finals" (PDF). Football South Australia.
- "National Premier Leagues South Australia Champions". socceraust. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022.
- "State League 1 South Australia Champions". socceraust. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023.
- "State League 2 South Australia Champions". socceraust. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021.
- "Federation Cup Finals". socceraust. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022.
- "Other Major Cup Winners". socceraust. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021.
- "Top Four Cup Winners". socceraust. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021.
- "Night Series Winners". socceraust. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021.
- "South Australia Past Seasons Final Tables and Results". Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- "Ladder for State League 1 2021". Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- "Ladder for State League 1 2022". Retrieved 4 November 2022.