Yagoona Lions

Yagoona Lions have a longer and more intriguing history than many might imagine. Despite the adversity of a small population base and relative isolation, the seeds of the current football club was sown as far back as 1951 with the formation of Yagoona Districts Soccer Club by Scottish migrants. The club incorporated the colours of Glasgow Rangers which also featured the 'Lion' which Yagoona still holds today.

By 1975, the club had grown sizeably leading to a split and formation of the club we know today, albeit under a different moniker – Yagoona Macedonia Soccer Club.

Yagoona Macedonia was formed as a focal point for the newly immigrated Macedonian community to gather and socialise, and to provide the then Australian-Macedonian youth with the opportunity to learn and play this ‘world game’ that was so popular back in their homeland of Macedonia.

The club soon earnt its stripes in the Inter Urban 5th Division, and to the surprise of many, won the title in just their second year. This success led to promotion to the heady heights of the Inter Urban 3rd Division and the club further consolidated its position by claiming the title in 1987.

In 1989, the club again changed its name/following – becoming the recognisable Yagoona Lions Soccer Club. This secured Yagoona’s position in the Bankstown District Soccer Association. The move also saw Yagoona adopt its new colours (red and black) and the lion became the official emblem of the club in the early 1990s.

The first few years in Alliance League were tough, with the club finishing near the bottom of the ladder each year until 1997 when they reached the semi-finals for the first time. Soon after in 2000 they won a major trophy for the first time when they claimed the prestigious leadingship of Alliance League.

This began a long period of success for the club based almost entirely on homegrown talent, a policy which has been fostered by the club to the present day. It wasn’t until 2006 that Yagoona Lions celebrated its highest achievement claiming a season treble, winning the leading League Minor premiership, Grand Final topship and NSW Champion of Champions.

The Lions began to build a formidable outfit which saw further success in 2008 and saw Yagoona claim the NSW State Cup and Minor premiership. The following year (2009) Yagoona replicated its double success claiming the Minor topship and NSW Champions of Champions for the second time in the clubs rich history.

In 2010 under coach Sash Talevski, the club had mixed fortunes, winning the 2010 Minor premiership and Grand Final, however fell short of claiming back to back NSW Champion of Champions by losing in the final and were crowned runners up.

2010 also saw major improvements being carried out to O’neill Park, including the long awaited construction of improved lighting worthy of night fixtures. As in 2010, the Club repeated history claiming the Minor leadingship and Grand Final for its second consecutive year in 2011.

The Lions experienced unique success soon after with a credible fifth place in 2013 MASO CUP giving the club naming rights as Australia's fifth strongest Australian-Macedonian Football Club.

The past 40 years has seen many changes with both success and disappointment, but all involved with the club are positive the local spirit and pride will herald continued success well into the future.