Club celebrates 25 years

The Umina United Soccer Club celebrated its anniversary last month after 25 years in action.

The club, recognised by their brown white and gold colours, was established in 1979 when the Umina and Blackwall soccer clubs merged.

Current president Barry Cole, who has been with the club since 1988, said he was proud of the fact his club is the only one to have stayed in the premier league for 25 years.

It is also the only club which has won the championships five seasons in a row, twice.

Umina United Soccer Club commemorated the event last month with the formation of a first grade "Dream team", chosen by past coaches, officials and life members.

The group was given jerseys labelled "25 year Dream Team"

Having started out as a much smaller team, the club now has 51 teams and enlists over 600 players, with over half of those from the junior teams.

Mr Cole said he counted among his most memorable moments the winning of the 1988 championship with the help of Craig Wilson, who later coached the championship-winning 2000 team.

He said he was very proud of the club, and hoped they remained as competitive as they had always been.

Lyle Stone, August 4