Marconi Stallions set for battle against Italo All Stars
Former Socceroo and Marconi stalwart Luke Casserly, will have a first look at his new charges, as the Stallions help the Italo-Australian Sports & Recreational Club celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Casserly, spent 16 years collectively with the Stallions, playing along side Marconi legends like Mark Schwarzer, Paul Okon, Steve Corica, Jean Paul De Marigny, Gary Van Egmond, Kimon Taliadoros Matthew Bingley and Andy Harper. His pedigree was shaped with mentors like Tom McCulloch and the late, Ian Gray who played 244 and 246 games for Marconi, respectively. He also spent some years playing along side his new assistant coach Darren Iocca, were both players were recipients of an NSL Championship medal, under legendary coach Frank Arok, in 1993. Casserly had stints with the now defunct Northern Spirit before moving across to Sweden to AIK Solna for 3 seasons. One of the most memorable occasions for Casserly was the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, playing for the Olyroos.
Whilst the Stallions will be missing a number of regular and key starters, Casserly gets to look at players that will be pressing for selection in their 2011 NSW Premier League campaign.
Club Marconi was invited by the Italo-Australian Club to celebrate this milestone arising from a special and unique relationship that exists between these two organisations.
Club Marconi?s second President, Mr. Vic Fiorelli, was instrumental in establishing the Italo Australian Club, 2 years after Club Marconi was born in 1958.
?This match and our relationship has a special significance?, said Marconi Stallions? Football Manager Paul Saliba. ?It is a wonderful and humbling gesture to receive such invitation, especially when one of our Club?s forefathers was instrumental in the birth of the Italo-Australian Club. Our thanks must go to the Italo-Australian Club President Mr. John De Conti, Vice President Mr. Severino Da Roit and their Board of Directors for this initiative?, Saliba concluded.
The Stallions will spend the top half of the morning promoting the occasion in local shopping centers, prior to spending a few hours with the youth of Lismore on Saturday morning assisting with a football skills clinic organized by the Italo-Australian Club and Football Far North Coast, followed by a lavish dinner to celebrate this occasion.
The main match kicks-off at 2.00pm, with a strong prediction of attracting one of the largest sporting attendance in the Northern Rivers Region since 1998, when the Stallions visited this part of the world to play a pre-season match against the former Brisbane Strikers in the former NSL.
Media coverage is at saturation point, with the region abuzz for this grand occasion, with generous coverage from various TV Networks, Radio Stations and local papers.
The Marconi Stallions also wish to thank Football NSW and Football Far North Coast for their assistance with this match.
-Marconi Stallions Press Release
