Hurstville City Minotaurs Over 45’s gunning for 4 Champion of Champions titles

They’ve already gone down as one of the greatest ever Over 45’s sides to take part in Football NSW’s Champion of Champions, Football St George side Hurstville City Minotaurs will be hoping to lift the prestigious cup for a record breaking fourth time as they take on Eastern Suburbs FA’s Dunbar Rovers at Valentine Sports Park this Sunday.

Blessed with some quality experienced talent in the form of former National Soccer League and State League stars Abaas Saad, Spiro Hantzis, Steve Karavatakis, Tom Pontidas, Achilleas Markopoulos, Jason Lal, Nick Plataniotis, David Barrett, Dragan Pupovac, Foud Umlil, Angelo Petratos and of course inspirational club skipper Peter Papoythis, its little wonder why this special group of players has continually taken out silverware year in year out.

They’ve also taken out an incredible eight successive local Football St George Association titles showcasing their dominance that have once again brought this special group of players to the big dance that is the coveted Champion of Champions.

Coached by the much admired ‘General’ Peter Sarikakis, the Minotaurs are hoping to continue its long-standing stranglehold of the over 45’s age group by defeating a well drilled Dunbar Rovers outfit on Sunday.

“These days at our age making the final of another Champions of Champions means a lot to us,” Papoythis stated to Football NSW.

“Most of us being 54, we know that our time can be up at any moment, so it’s a massive deal making another final.

“Guys like Spiro Hantzis and George Hajitofi are 59 and are still playing that’s an amazing feat in itself.

“We’ve won the Champions of Champions three times but due to the last two seasons being affected by COVID, we’ve been robbed of the last two competitions as they’ve been cancelled.

“It’s been disheartening to miss the last two at our age as there is not much left in the tank for some of us, going for 4 is a big deal to us as a playing group.”

Papoythis stated that standing in their way will be a very determined Dunbar Rovers outfit hoping to spoil the Minotaurs party.

“It’s no secret that our opponents are a tough and very fit team, they’re much younger than us so it will be a real battle.

“I watched Dunbar’s ESFA Grand Final and they have quality players across the park as they beat a very strong Pagewood team.

“Overall, this isn’t an easy tournament to win.

“There are some great teams from all over the state that have never won it, we beat teams like Inter Lions and St Michael’s in the finals who played incredible football.

“I do believe that our closeness as we are all best friends outside of football, we all socialize together, so do our wives and families and most of the dads who are still alive come watch will give us the strength – you never want to let any of them down, when I see the fathers watching their sons still play it’s an emotional thing.

“Regardless of the results I’ve been captain of the greatest ever 45’s in the history of this competition and I’m proud of that and no one can deny that.

“I’m a very lucky man and I do hope we can celebrate come Sunday.”

The Hurstville City Minotaurs will take on the Dunbar Rovers in the Over 45’s Final this Sunday at Valentine Sports Park with kick-off set for 2:15 on field 3. 

Those not able to attend the match can catch it live and exclusive only on NPL.TV