Club salutes soccer stalwarts

The Woy Woy Soccer Club has honored two of its stalwarts as it celebrates 35 years in the Central Coast Soccer Association.

Woy Woy is unusual in that it has not merged, changed colours or changed grounds in its 35-year history.

The only change has been the inclusion of the Rooster logo in 1970, adapted from Tottenham Hotspurs' emblem and not, as widely thought, from their Rugby League counterpart, according to club president Keith Spencer.

"Woy Woy attracts a very loyal following in a time where players change clubs far too often," he said.

The club currently has 46 players with 10 years' service and eight with 20 years.

"We place great belief in the traditions of the club and consider it very important to encourage and recognise long service and loyalty.

"In this regard two current clubs stalwarts stand out," he said.

Current CCSA director Geoff Johnson is a Foundation Member, having played in the club's first competition game in April 1966, and has played for 30 of the last 35 seasons with the club, missing only those when he was living overseas.

The club's Registrar, Phil Butler, was recently honoured by both the club and Soccer NSW for his 30 years' continuous service.

"Phil is part of what can only be described as a soccer dynast with Woy Woy."

His late father, Austin "Skeeter" Butler, after whom Woy Woy's home ground is named was a life member of the club, the CCSA, the CCWSA and Northern NSW Associations, as is Phil's mother, former Association registrar Colleen Butler.

Phil's son, Trent, who stars with the Under-5s this year, will be the 32nd family member to play for the club, "a feat unequalled in any sport on the Central Coast", according to Keith Spencer.

Carl Spears, February 7