Sturt Lions FC

Sturt Lions
logo
Full nameSturt Lions Soccer Club
Nickname(s)Lions
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003)
GroundKarinya Reserve, Eden Hills
ChairmanJohn Van
ManagerLino Fusco
LeagueSA State League 1
20248th of 12
Websitehttp://www.sturtlions.com.au/

Sturt Lions Soccer Club is an Australian professional football club in Adelaide, South Australia. Nicknamed the Lions, Sturt are associated with FFSA, and they currently play in State league 1. The league is a second tier-league in South Australia and third-tier nationally.

In 2017 the Lions were Champions of State League 1 after defeating White City, Adelaide Raiders, South Adelaide and Western Strikers in the Final Series. As the Champions, the Lions were promoted to the NPL in 2018.They were again promoted to the NPL in 2021 after winning the state league final through spectacular goals from Gonzalo Rodriguez. Sturt has gone from strength to strength under long term manager Lino Fusco.

In 2020 the Lions were again Champions of State League 1 after defeating South Adelaide over 2 legs before beating White City in the Promotion Final. As the Champions, the Lions were promoted to the NPL in 2021.

They were relegated from NPL to State League 1 after the 2023 season.

Notable players

In May 2018 Sturt signed Italian striker Matteo Federici. Federici came through the ranks for Serie A sides Lecce and Chievo Verona. Federici scored 6 goals in his first 7 appearances for Sturt and his performances have been acclaimed in the local media.[1]

In August 2021 Sturt signed Adelaide United legend Michael Marrone. After amassing 250+ games in the A-League and making 1 appearance for the National Team, Michael returned to the local league with Sturt. After signing on the 3rd of August, Michael scored 7 minutes into his debut on the following weekend.

Honours

Divisional history

Season League Cup
Division Pld W D L GF GA +/- Pts Position Finals
2011 SA Div 3 18 3 4 11 19 55 -36 13 8th DNQ
2012 SA Div 3 18 2 1 15 15 60 -45 7 10th (P) DNQ
2013 SA Div 2 30 1 3 26 34 96 -62 6 16th DNQ Federation Cup Round of 32
2014 SA Div 2 28 8 5 15 32 51 -19 29 11th DNQ Federation Cup Round of 32
2015 SA Div 2 30 12 8 10 62 46 +16 44 9th DNQ Federation Cup Quarter Finalist
2016 SA Div 2 22 12 3 7 41 27 +14 39 4th Preliminary final Federation Cup Round of 32
2017 SA Div 2 22 11 2 9 36 30 +6 35 4th Champion Federation Cup Round of 32
2018 SA Div 1 22 5 4 13 24 48 -24 19 11th (R) DNQ Federation Cup Round of 32
2019 SA Div 2 22 12 7 3 41 21 +20 43 2nd Preliminary final Federation Cup Round of 32
2020 SA Div 2 22 13 6 3 48 18 +30 45 2nd Champion Federation Cup Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 SA Div 1 22 9 6 7 34 34 0 33 5th Preliminary final Federation Cup Quarter Finalist
2022 SA Div 1 22 7 4 11 29 44 -15 25 8th DNQ Federation Cup

Round of 32

2023 SA Div 1 22 3 7 12 24 47 -23 16 11th (R) DNQ Federation Cup

Round of 16

References

  1. ^ "'Travelling bomber' strikes from Italy". Adelaidenow.com.au. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2023.