MELBOURNE Knights will be the name that Melbourne CSC will play under in the coming Coca-Cola Soccer League season.
The name is being forced on the club as part of the policy of the Australian Soccer Federation to eliminate ethnic titles from the game.
The club was formerly Melbourne Croatia and the abbreviation of CSC became unacceptable to the ASF.
The club reluctantly submitted Melbourne Knights, Melbourne Reds, Melbourne Central and Melbourne Red Knights as the choices and Knights was selected at the weekend at a council of clubs meeting held in Sydney.
The name needs confirmation by the ASF commission but that seems to be a formality.
The other two clubs forced into name changes have been less original.
Sydney CSC has changed to Sydney United, while Brunswick Juventus will play under the long-winded title of Melbourne Brunswick United. The three clubs will have an associated change of badges which will be announced at the league’s launch.
The CCSL season will start with the Cup on October 3, while the league campaign kicks-off on October 24.
The fixtures are yet to be released but it’s certain the first round will be: Melbourne Knights v Adelaide City, Heidelberg v Marconi, Sydney Olympic v Morwell Falcons, Wollongong v Newcastle, Brisbane Utd v Parramatta, West Adelaide v Brunswick, Sydney Utd v South Melbourne.
The league will have to navigate its way through Australia’s World Cup qualifiers in November as well as a planned four-nation tournament in January that will include European champion Denmark.
NEW Zealand has advertised its national coaching position in the international monthly magazine World Soccer. The job requirements specify a record of proven success either at club or international level.
Albion striker Joe Spiteri has been having talks with Parramatta Eagles.
Victoria has accepted matches against Tasmania in Hobart on October 16 and vs South Australia in Port Pirie on October 23.
Olympic Park will be the venue for the Dockerty Cup semi-final double header on Show day, September 23. Heidelberg will meet Morwell at 6.30pm. The South Melbourne v Melbourne Knights tie is scheduled for 8.20pm.
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