Tolgay Ozbey crowned NSW Premier League?s best at 2010 Gold Medal Dinner
A number of players and officials from the NSW Premier League were present on the evening as well as special guests such as former 1974 Socceroos coach Rale Rasic and ex-Socceroos stars Jim Fraser and Alex Tobin as well as Sydney FC?s CEO Edwin Lugt.
The talk of the evening was on who would be crowned the 2010 Gold Medal winner replacing last season?s award winner, Bonnryigg White Eagles? striker Bradley Boardman.
The evening started with the ?Fair Play? award which was presented by Football NSW Director Robert Waddell with the South Coast Wolves scooping up the night?s first silverware.
The Under 20?s Golden Boot award was up next and Sydney United?s talented young attacker Steven Veleski took this out once again as he did so in 2009 after scoring 15 goals for the year as he once again reaffirmed his position as one of the deadliest up and coming strikers in the business.
The Golden Boot award was the next award which followed and Blacktown City FC?s red-hot striker Tolgay Ozbey took out the plaudits for the third time in his playing career (2006 and 2007) after he scored an amazing 22 goals in 21 matches.
His goalscoring spree with Blacktown City was attributed to the success the club along with coach Aytek Genc had in capturing the 2010 Championship after defeating Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-0 where Ozbey was on the score-sheet having smashed his spot-kick home.
Unavailable to pick up his trophy due to his playing commitments in India where the striker has signed with first division outfit East Bengal FC, Ozbey was delighted with his season and spoke exclusively on the evening via a pre-recorded message.
?I would like to thank Blacktown City FC, Ken Schembri, Aytek Genc, Mark Crittenden and all my teammates who made my job easier playing up-front and winning the 2010 Golden Boot.
?I?m playing in India at the moment with East Bengal FC but I am sure once this has finished I will be back in the NSW Premier League hopefully winning yet another Golden Boot award.?
The Media Award was up next and Joel Ritchie from the Illawarra Mercury scooped this for his fantastic coverage of the competition while Kiril Mitusev from the Australian Macedonian Weekly was awarded the Foreign Language Media Award from Football NSW Media Manager Mark Stavroulakis.
Ritchie is a self confessed football nut and this has been displayed through his countless articles and promotion of our sport especially with the NSW Premier League competition in the Illawarra Mercury as well as the promotion of the Arrive alive Women?s Premier League through the Illawarra Stingrays.
Having supported the code through the eyes of keeping all football fans in the South Coast region especially updated with the NSW Premier League news, views, reports as well as results and tables, Ritchie has really turned things around at a paper that is renowned for being supporters of other various football codes.
In a region with a population of over 400,000, The Illawarra Mercury is a vital information provider to the Illawarra and a powerful advertising medium and it is one paper that Football NSW is safe to say that they have assisted with the promotion of the prestigious NSW Premier League competition.
Mitusev has been a lifelong football follower and has promoted the NSW Premier League through the Australian Macedonian Weekly that comes out once a week.
The keen NSW Premier League follower is always present at various NSW Premier League matches with not only a pad and a pen but with his trusty camera as well with many people seeing him present on pitches across Sydney prior to matches commencing and at the end of game.
He has truly served as a wonderful promoter of the game to our foreign friends.
A number of other media publications were thanked during the evening such as the Manly Daily, Blacktown Advocate, Fairfield Champion, St George and Sutherland Shire Leader, Canterbury Bankstown Express, Inner West Courier, O Kosmos, The Croatian Herald, La Fiamma, Vesti, Australian and International Football Soccer Weekly, Goal Weekly, Soccer International and 442.
Bonnryigg White Eagles was then presented the Club Championship Award as the club excelled as an entire group for season 2010 as they finished up with 337 points while Blacktown City FC finished second with 327 and Sydney United third with 315.
The Club Championship is based on a points system from the efforts of the Grade 18, 20 and First Grade teams which are then combined and tallied at the end of the year.
Referees played a huge role in the NSW Premier League this season and it was fitting that well known whistleblower Kris Griffiths-Jones picked up the Referee of the Year award which was presented by Football NSW Director George Jackson.
It has been a remarkable year for Griffiths-Jones who has been seen as one of the most experienced referees officiating in the NSW Premier League and has conducted many important games this year including the 2010 McDonalds Cup Final and 2010 NSW Premier League Grand Final.
The whistleblower has also made the step-up to the A-League as his debut refereeing an official match top tier game came this season in round 3 when he officiated the Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United clash.
The Goalkeeper of the Year Award was up next and it was Marconi Stallions? number one man under the posts James Chronopoulos that took out this prestigious honour.
The talented 22-year-old custodian has been a Marconi Stallions youth product through and through and has stayed loyal to the club?s cause. A landscaper by trade, Chronopoulos has been with the club since the under 10?s which is a rare trait to find in this current footballing climate.
The Coach of the Year award was up next and Bonnyrigg White Eagles? Scottish coach Brian ?Bomber? Brown was rewarded for what was a big year for the club having won the Premiership for 2010.
It was Brown?s fourth ?Coach of the Year? gong as he won the honour with Blacktown City FC in 2000/2001 and again in 2002/2003 and with the Sutherland Sharks in 2008.
Running for the third year in a row for Football NSW, an All Stars team was picked which showcased the best 11 players that took part in the NSW Premier League in 2010.
Based on a points system which all official Football NSW journalists took part in during the course of the 22 rounds, eleven players were selected in various positions highlighting their fantastic performances for season 2010.
Each player and coach were awarded a special jersey with their name and number thanks to Football NSW?s official apparel partner hummel.
Shane Webb and Michael Robinson retained their spots in the All Star team after they were both inducted into the side in 2009. It was a hat-trick of years for Webb as he was part of the inaugural selection of the All Stars team in 2008.
The 2010 Football NSW All Stars team was as follows:
1. James Chronopoulos (Marconi Stallions)
2. Tynan Diaz (South Coast Wolves)
3. Shane Webb (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
4. Michael Robinson (Sutherland Sharks)
5. Mark Byrnes (APIA Leichhardt Tigers)
6. Joel Chianese (Blacktown City FC)
7. Daniel Severino (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
8. Jamie McMaster (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
9. Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City FC)
10. Franco Parisi (APIA Leichhardt Tigers)
11. Elsid Barkhousir (Sydney United)
Coach: Brian Brown (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
The time had come to select the Grade 20 Player of the Year and after calculating all the points, Sydney United?s Steven Veleski took out the major honour securing his second award for the evening in what has been a memorable year for the Reds? ace marksman.
Veleski?s amazing displays for Sydney United saw him pip the likes of Chris Bedzo, Liam McConaghy, Todd Halloran, James Gikas and Steven Wright for the coveted award.
Veleski stated to Football NSW that it was an honour to have been given the award of best player in the Grade 20’s for 2010.
The final points tally for the Grade 20 Player of the Year ended like this (Top Ten):
Steve Veleski (Sydney United) 20
Chris Bedzo (Blacktown City FC) 16
Liam McConaghy (APIA Leichhardt Tigers) 15
Todd Halloran (Sutherland Sharks) 15
James Gikas (Sutherland Sharks) 15
Steven Wright (Sydney United) 15
Bruno Pivato (Blacktown City FC) 13
Damian Brosque (Bankstown City FC) 12
Stefan Heleta (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) 12
Robert Nikolovski (Rockdale City Suns) 12
The stage was set for the final award of the evening and that was the prestigious Gold Medal for 2010.
After 22 rounds the Gold Medal was presented to Blacktown City FC?s ever ready marksman Tolgay Ozbey who finished up with 33 points, five points clear of Bonnyrigg White Eagles? Daniel Severino and snapped up his second award of the evening after claiming the 2010 Golden Boot award earlier.
Ozbey had a sensational season with Blacktown City FC in what was a big year for the club who took out the honours securing the 2010 Championship defeating Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1-0 in the Grand Final.
It was Ozbey?s second time he was awarded the Gold Medal after receiving it with Blacktown City FC in 2006 but was unavailable on the night once more as he is currently playing in India with East Bengal FC however made a speech via a pre-recorded message on the evening.
“I am over the moon in receiving the 2010 Gold Medal award it has been such a great season for me and the club but I?m obviously missing out on a lot for not being there but I have a few words I?d like to say.
?I?d like to thank everybody at Blacktown City FC for making this possible for me in winning the 2010 Gold Medal award especially Ken Schembri. Ken has done a lot for me this year especially when I was in Turkey with one day left on the transfer market to come over, Ken got it all sorted for me to play with the club.
?I would like to thank Aytek Genc as well as we?ve had a pretty successful time with him as our head coach and we?ve won a number of things under him so he has been a big influence on my career as well.
?To my teammates, we?ve had lots of fun this year and we?ve had a great season. We were unlucky with the Premiership but we did win the Championship.?
Ozbey also had a special message on the evening to the referees and the media who assisted in his sterling season with Blacktown City FC.
?I?d like to thank the referees as well, I understand I don?t always agree with all their decisions but I would like to thank them all for their votes.
?The media have been great to me as well especially Mark Stavroulakis at Football NSW, he?s done a lot for me during the course of the season through some great articles as well as Stuart Jones, thank you both.?
The final points tally for the Gold Medal ended like this (Top Ten):
Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City FC) 33
Daniel Severino (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) 28
Franco Parisi (APIA Leichhardt Tigers) 21
Shane Webb (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) 18
Paul Dee (Rockdale City Suns) 17
Elsid Barkhousir (Sydney United) 16
Nicola Rizzo (APIA Leichhardt Tigers) 14
James Chronopoulos (Marconi Stallions) 14
Jamie McMaster (Bonnyrigg White Eagles) 13
Joey Schirripa (Manly United) 13
2010 Gold Medal Dinner Award Winners List
Fair Play ? South Coast Wolves
Golden Boot Grade 20 ? Steven Veleski (Sydney United) 15 goals
Golden Boot 1st Grade ? Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City FC) 21 goals
Media Award ? Illawarra Mercury (Joel Ritchie)
Foreign Language Media Award ? Australian Macedonian Weekly (Kiril Mitusev)
Club Person of Year:
APIA Leichhardt Tigers ? Paul Pettenon
Bankstown City Lions ? Grant Gibbs
Blacktown City ? Brett Seagar
Bonnyrigg White Eagles ? R Kajkut
Manly United ? Andrew Doyle
Marconi Stallions ? Peter Ashby
Rockdale City Suns ? Paul Goreski
Sutherland Sharks ? N/A
Sydney Olympic ? Chris Kalavas
Sydney United ? Zdravko Samardic
West Sydney Berries ? Nonda Nitis
Club Championship ? Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Grade 20 Premiers ? Blacktown City FC
Grade 20 Champions ? Blacktown City FC
1st Grade Premiers ? Bonnyrigg White Eagles
1st Grade Champions – Blacktown City FC
Referee of the Year Award ? Kris Griffiths-Jones
Goalkeeper of Year ? James Chronopoulos (Marconi Stallions)
Coach of Year ? Brian Brown (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
Grade 20 Player of Year ? Steven Veleski (Sydney United)
Gold Medal ? Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City FC)
Previous Gold Medal Winners
2000/2001 ? Steve Lazzari (Belconnen Blue Devils)
2001/2002 ? Daniel Macor (Belconnen Blue Devils)
2002/2003 ? James Monie (Central Coast Coasties)
2003/2004 ? Ilija Prenzoski (Belconnen Blue Devils)
2004/2005 ? Robbie Cattanach (Belconnen Blue Devils)
2006 ? Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City Demons)
2007 ? Robbie Cattanach (Manly United)
2008 ? Brendan Gan (Sutherland Sharks)
2009 ? Bradley Boardman (Sutherland Sharks)
Previous Grade 20 Player of the Year Winners
2000/2001 ? Marc Falzon (Central Coast Coasties), Matias Gulle (Canterbury Marrickville) & Carlo Musumeci (Sutherland Shire)
2001/2002 ? Phillip Badolato (Fairfield Bulls)
2002/2003 ? Milorad Simonovic (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
2003/2004 ? Ben Gough (Parramatta Eagles)
2004/2005 ? Adam D?Apuzzo (Marconi Stallions)
2006 ? Ken Chun (Marconi Stallions)
2007 ? Chris Bedzo (Blacktown City Demons) & Glen Trifiro (Marconi Stallions)
2008 ? Daniel Rezo (Sydney United)
2009 ? Steven Veleski (Sydney United)
Previous Goalkeeper of the Year Winners
2000/2001 ? Darren Moore (Central Coast Coasties)
2001/2002 ? Jason Holmes (Parramatta Eagles)
2002/2003 ? John Crawley (Blacktown City Demons)
2003/2004 ? John Crawley (Blacktown City Demons)
2004/2005 ? Clint Bolton (A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers)
2006 ? Ivan Necevski (Blacktown City Demons)
2007 ? Matthew Nash (A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers)
2008 ? Matthew Nash (A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers)
2009 ? Vedran Janjetovic (Sydney United)
Previous Coach of the Year Winners
2000/2001 ? Brian Brown (Blacktown City Demons)
2001/2002 ? Tam Finlayson (Parramatta Eagles)
2002/2003 ? Brian Brown (Blacktown City Demons)
2003/2004 ? Chris Tanzey (Belconnen Blue Devils)
2004/2005 ? Chris Tanzey (Belconnen Blue Devils)
2006 ? Aytek Genc (Blacktown City Demons)
2007 ? Aytek Genc (Blacktown City Demons)
2008 ? Brian Brown (Sutherland Sharks)
2009 ? Ante Milicic (Sydney United)
Previous Leading Goalscorer Winners
2000/2001 ? Steve Lazzari (Belconnen Blue Devils) & Darren Iocca (Fairfield Bulls)
2001/2002 ? Jim Aschner (Bonnyrigg White Eagles)
2002/2003 ? James Monie (Central Coast Coasties)
2003/2004 ? Matthew Borg (Bankstown City Lions)
2004/2005 ? Adam Kwasnik (Blacktown City Demons)
2006 ? Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City Demons)
2007 ? Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City Demons)
2008 ? Robert Younis (A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers)
2009 ? Matthew Mayora (Sydney Olympic)
Previous Referee of the Year Winners
2000/2001 ? Greg Leverton
2001/2002 ? Nick Asargiotis
2002/2003 ? Greg Leverton
2003/2004 ? Jonathan Streater
2004/2005 ? Srbere Delovski
2006 ? Peter Vrtkovski
2007 ? Srbere Delovski
2008 ? Jonathan Streater
2009 ? Peter Vrtkovski
Previous 1st Grade Premiers
2000/2001 ? Blacktown City Demons
2001/2002 ? Parramatta Eagles
2002/2003 ? Blacktown City Demons
2003/2004 ? Belconnen Blue Devils
2004/2005 ? Blacktown City Demons
2006 ? Blacktown City Demons
2007 ? Blacktown City Demons
2008 ? Sutherland Sharks
2009 ? Sydney United
Previous 1st Grade Champions
2000/2001 ? Bonnyrigg White Eagles
2001/2002 ? Parramatta Eagles
2002/2003 ? A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers
2003/2004 ? Bankstown City Lions
2004/2005 ? Bankstown City Lions
2006 ? Sydney United
2007 ? Blacktown City Demons
2008 ? Wollongong FC
2009 ? Sutherland Sharks
-By Mark Stavroulakis
