My World Is Round

Butch Kokoska Gallery

Thanks again to Louise and Butch for sharing their family pics with us...

Some obvious team photos with Sunshine City, Melbourne Knights FC Croatia and the Victorian State Team (Football Victoria )

A few "new " unseen pics of Butch in his Croatia team gear.

Picture with Red Beetle was his first car (most friends would remember it), the girl is his sister Maria.

Photo in the yellow frame is with Tony Wolczecki.

The baby and family photos were taken when he was still playing or involved with soccer, and many people would remember him at this stage of his life.

A CommBank Socceroos and Vic State Team Legend and Pioneer!!

Steve "Butch" Kokoska

Thanks to Steve's daughter Louise for recording the chat with Steve and for allowing us to share it online!!

Born in Cunnamalla, south west Queensland.
Moved to Melbourne (Sunshine) as a child.
Attended Our Lady's Primary School in Sunshine.
Joined Sunshine City as a junior player and made his senior debut at 16.
Helping the club gain promotion in 1974.
Moving to Melbourne Croatia in 1977 where he was part of 2 State League winning campaigns.
He represented Victoria on multiple occasions before making his Socceroo debut in 1978 against Greece.

He has the rare distinction of being selected for Australia while playing for a state league club in the post - 1977 National League era.
(Details taken from Andew Howe's Encyclopedia of Socceroos)

Steve was also a member of the Melbourne Knights FC Melbourne Knights FC Team of The Century.

Steve 'Butch' Kokoska Socceroo Steve "Butch" KokoskaBorn in Cunnamalla, south west Queensland.M...

Friday July 24 – Past Players & Members Round
Join us back at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve as we celebrate the people who have built our club and continue to shape it today.
Senior Men take on Bayside Argonauts
Kick off 7.30pm
A great night to reconnect, reminisce and get
Do you have any historical photos from your playing days or time at the club? If so, drop them in the comments so we can all see them!

⚽🟣SAVE THE DATE🟣⚽

Friday July 24 – Past Players & Members Round

Join us back at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve as we celebrate the people who have built our club and continue to shape it today.

Senior Men take on Bayside Argonauts
Kick off 7.30pm

A great night to reconnect, reminisce and get

Do you have any historical photos from your playing days or time at the club? If so, drop them in the comments so we can all see them!

Another thoroughly deserved honour!

ANDJELKO CIMERA OAM

Seven years after he was nominated, and three and a half years since we lost him, Andjelko Cimera has been recognised as part of the King’s Birthday Honours, for his extraordinary contribution to club, community and football.

Today he has officially been named as a recipient of the OAM (Medal of the Orders of Australia), the highest honour bestowed by the Governer General in the Australian honours system.

Andjelko remains the longest-serving President of Melbourne Knights FC, leading the club to several minor premierships and grand final appearances throughout the 1990s, most notably the 1995/96 National Soccer League Championship win on home turf. He was a club and community leader for decades and a guiding pillar of strength until the very end.

Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
* President, 2014–2022.

Melbourne Knights Football Club Inc.
* President, 1994, 1996, 2003–2004 and 2010–2014.
* Held a variety of committee roles throughout the years, including Vice-President, Treasurer and Board Member, from 1979 onwards.
* Foundation Member, 1984–2022.
* Member, 1968–2022.

Boards and Appointments
* Former Club Delegate, Football Victoria.

Awards and Recognition
* Lifetime Achievement Award, Football Federation Victoria, 2017.
* Hall of Fame Inductee, Brimbank City Council Sports Awards, 2015.
* Inaugural Inductee, Croatian Soccer Association of Australia, Savez Hall of Fame, 2014.

Today is bittersweet. Through his years of unwavering dedication Andjelko earned this award, so it is a shame that he will not be able to receive it himself in person, as he deserved. This honour is so very rarely bestowed upon a volunteer in our community, making it all the more special.

We know he would have been humbled by this recognition, but at the same time, he would have absolutely loved it.

Congratulations Andjelko, kapa do poda.

Forever in our hearts. Some legends never die. ❤️

Thoroughly deserved, a smashing bloke, and a great mate.

Sent in by Anne Nikolic...always a great contributor to the page!

Thanks!!