SOCCER
PENINSULA football is set for the creation of a new power club with last week’s announcement of a planned merger between State 4 South-East club Rosebud and local junior club Rosebud Heart.
The new entity will be called Rosebud United and will compete in State Leagues in 2027.
It is likely to field over 30 teams plus MiniRoos with established men’s and women’s programs.
In a statement jointly signed by Rosebud president Delvina Spizzirri and Heart counterpart Rob Vosjan mention was made of a positive response to the merger from Football Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire and local state government representative Sam Groth.
During last season both Rosebud and Heart established a steering committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive case study of four community clubs that embodied many of the traits envisioned for the new Rosebud United.
These four clubs were Croydon Arrows, Ringwood City, Skye United and Chelsea and were selected for their “strong community foundations, robust boys’, girls’, men’s and women’s programs and membership levels of approximately 500–800 players.”
The eight member steering committee consisted of Rosebud’s Spizzirri, Stan Packer, Jason Symonds and Stuart Johnson while Heart’s representatives were Vosjan, Bernie Black, James Cinar and Andy Black.
Symonds is Rosebud’s senior coach and a life member and he gave a glowing endorsement of the merger announcement.
“Fantastic. The merger’s been a long time coming and is very positive for football on the southern peninsula,” he said.
“I’m very happy that it’s finally happening and it will be a really decent-sized club.”
The merger statement highlighted the on-field and off-field advantages to be gleaned from the creation of a powerhouse southern peninsula club.
“Both clubs recognise the strengths that come from unity and the benefits of creating a clear pathway for junior players to progress into senior football.
“Coming together as one club places us in a stronger position to plan for the facilities required for a growing and ambitious football community.”
One of the young guns expected to figure prominently in the new Rosebud United is current Rosebud ace Barney Johnson.
“It’s always good especially in a community club like Rosebud to have a proper pathway for players to move from junior to senior football,” he said.
“Having played at Mornington and at the clubs I played for in the UK there was definitely that element that was missing.
“It’s a really exciting time for the club as it’s the southernmost club on the peninsula with no real competition and a great opportunity to grow.”
The Chichester-born 22-year-old arrived in Melbourne seven years ago and immediately got involved in the local scene.
He joined Mornington where he was coached in the under-15s by his current senior coach Symonds.
Johnson progressed to the reserves and trained regularly with the seniors under head coach Adam Jamieson but senior game time remained elusive.
“I had a heart-to-heart talk with ‘Jamo’ and we both felt I’d benefit from senior game time elsewhere.”
That prompted a switch to Rosebud in January 2023, the season in which the seniors finished fourth after a controversial points deduction.
Rosebud left nothing to chance the following season winning the State 5 South title by a comfortable margin.
“Winning the title last year was made even more exciting given the setback the previous year and to see the reaction of senior players who had never won a title before put things into perspective for me and made me realise what an achievement it really was.”
Finishing in the top six this year retained Rosebud’s league status for next season when teams from State 4 East join to form a new State 4 South-East division that is certain to be ultra competitive.
It’s a challenge that Johnson openly embraces.
“I’ll definitely be at Rosebud next year and we pride ourselves on the good blend we’ve established between younger guys and more experienced players.
“Our goal is promotion – if you’re not going for promotion you shouldn’t really be playing at all and we’ll give it our best shot that’s for sure.”
Still in State 4 and Chelsea announced a number of major new signings last week laying bare its championship aspirations.
Retaining the most prolific scorer on the peninsula in James Stinson was quickly followed by announcing the captures of Michael Swinnerton, Marcus Anastasiou and Victor Cruz De Faria.
The versatile Swinnerton has captained Collingwood City at State 1 level, Anastasiou has been Somerville Eagles’ star striker for the past few seasons while central midfielder Cruz De Faria has captained Monash University.
In other news Football Victoria released the NPL, VPL and provisional State League fixtures last week.
Langwarrin plays its first three games at home then its next five away due to council works on Lawton Park.
Langy gets the season underway on Saturday 14 February against Noth Sunshine Eagles.
The under-20s kick off at 2.15pm, the under 23s at 4.30pm and the seniors at 7pm.
Chelsea kicks off the 2026 State League for local clubs on Friday 20 March hosting East Kew (6.30pm & 8pm).
Remaining fixtures for local clubs are all on Saturday 21 March.
Mornington is at home to Collingwood City (ground, KO times to be decided); Skye United hosts Mazenod (1pm & 3pm); Peninsula Strikers host Waverley City (12.45pm & 3pm); Baxter hosts Albert Park (1pm & 3pm); Rosebud hosts Ashburton (4pm & 6pm); Somerville Eagles host Fortuna 60 (1pm & 3pm); Seaford United is away to Sandown Lions (1pm & 3pm); Frankston Pines hosts Mentone (4pm & 6pm); Mount Eliza is away to Old Ivanhoe (1pm & 3pm); Aspendale is away to Croydon Ranges (ground, KO times to be decided); and Mount Martha is away to Keysborough (5pm & 7pm).
In pre-season news Langwarrin suffered a body blow with star recruit Zach Bates fracturing his fibula and ankle in Tuesday’s 1-0 home loss to Box Hill United.
Bates has had surgery and is expected to miss most of the first half of next season.
“While Zac is a massive loss as he was a key signing we have other options who will now get an opportunity to make a contribution,” head coach Jamie Skelly said.
On Saturday morning Langy’s pre-Christmas friendly against Melbourne City at Lawton Park ended in a 3-0 loss but Skelly remained upbeat.
“This was another opportunity to build our fitness and new game style,” he said.
“And there were some really positive signs.
“We got good minutes into players and also took another opportunity for younger players to get some exposure against a top side.”
On Saturday afternoon Skye United beat Casey Comets 3-1 at Comets Stadium.
The match highlight was the hat-trick to Skye triallist Marcus Spivey.
The big striker has been scoring for fun with Mentone for the past few seasons and has finally decided that the time is right for a move.
Skye isn’t the only local club with Spivey on its radar.
