ECU Joondalup

Football club infobox
clubname = ECU Joondalup
Formerly Joondalup City


fullname = ECU Joondalup Soccer Club
nickname = ECU
founded = 1995
ground = ECU Joondalup Campus, Joondalup, Perth, WA
capacity = approx - 2,500
chairman = Steve Amphlett
manager = Willie McNally
league = Vodafone State League
season = 2008
position = 7th
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The ECU Joondalup Soccer Club (Formerly Joondalup City) is an Australian football (soccer) club from Joondalup, Western Australia currently playing in the Premier Division in the Football West State League which is one grade lower than the Australian A-League.

History

The ECU Joondalup Soccer Club was formed in 1992 and they were known as Joondalup City and played at the Gum Blossom reserve in Quinns Rocks. They moved to the Arena Joondalup in 1995 and in their first season in the Semi-pro league finished third in the Professional Soccer Federation of WA third division a great start too top flight football in the state.

In the first season of the Soccer West Coast division one, City continued their charge up the table and won promotion to the Premier League as Champions in 1996. Joondalup City's first season in the top flight was a moderately successful one. They finished in a respectable mid-table position, and improved to third place in 1998.

In 1999 the club changed its name to ECU Joondalup and a successful season saw Paul Simmons side win the clubs first major trophy by taking out the Premier League title. Needing only a draw from the last game of the season to win the Premier League title, Joondalup fall behind to second placed Sorrento, when Kevin Murphy found the back of the net. Joondalup equalised late in the first half when Carl McDarby, who is playing with a broken foot, ran onto a through ball and drove a low shot past goalkeeper Mike Harkness. In the 70th minute a dangerous in-swinging corner from Scott Halpin snuck in at the far post to give ECU Joondalup their first ever Championship after only four seasons in the professional ranks.

The club has continued to part of the Premier League since and will begin 2008 with Willie McNally at the helm. Past Coaches of the club were; Paul Simmons from 1992-2002 and in 2004, Stuart Kamaz in 2003, Stuart Currie in 2005. Eric Williams in 2005 and John Brown in 2006 took temporary charge of the side during the season and current Coach Willie McNally from 2006-to date.

Notable Players

The club has attracted a number of ex-professionals to the club over the years with former Rangers, Sevilla F.C. and Derby County winger Ted McMinn, ex-Rangers and Dundee United midfielder Sandy Robertson and ex Sheffield Wednesday F.C. and Rotherham F.C. defender Des Hazel.

The club has also produced a number of talented players through the club's academy teams and gone overseas to play - with Rhys Williams who is at Premier League side Middlesbrough, Shane Lowry and Chris Herd at Aston Villa and Rostyn Griffiths at Blackburn Rovers.

Honours

* 2007 Night Series Runners Up
* 1998, 2002 Association Cup Winners
* 1999 Premier League Winners
* 1996 First Division Winners

External links

* [http://www.ecujoondalup.com.au Official Website]