Cracovia Soccer Club is a football team based in Beechboro, Western Australia, and is the footballing arm of the Cracovia Club, a Polish Australian community organisation.

Cracovia Soccer Club
Nickname(s)White Eagles
Founded1955
GroundCracovia Club
LeagueFootball West Amateur League Division 2
20177th

History

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The club was formed in 1950 at St Brigid's Parish Hall by members of the Perth Polish Australian community. The club was named Polish Sport Club Cracovia after the city of Kraków in Poland. It is a name shared by Polish team Cracovia. The club was initially based in Perth before moving to premises in Barlee Street, Highgate in 1972. The club was based in Highgate until 1990 when it moved to its current location in Beechboro.[1][2][3]

Success

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In 1965, after a number of seasons in the lower divisions of the Western Australia State League, Cracovia with the assistance of the Polish Olympic Committee recruited a number of seasoned Polish footballers including Władysław Musiał, Paweł Sobek, Zygmunt Pieda and Henryk Lukoszek.[2][4] Success was immediate with Cracovia winning the first division in 1965 and the State League in 1966.[5][6]

Decline

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After a decade near the top of the State League Cracovia were relegated in 1974. From that point the club's success was limited to brief spells in the top flight before leaving the semi-professional competition in the mid-90s to compete in the state amateur competition.[7]

During the early 1980s Bobby Moore played one match as a guest for Cracovia.[8][9]

Due to regulations of the state soccer federation the club was known as Beechboro White Eagles in the 1990s.[2]

Current

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As of 2022, the club plays in the Amateur League Division 3.

References

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  1. ^ Szunejko, Halina T. (12 May 2007). "Polish Connection To Northbridge". Northbridge History Project. Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b c "History". Cracovia Club. Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  3. ^ Cracovia 1950–1975 – 25 Years of Cracovia Club Inc in Perth, Western Australia. Cracovia Club. 1975.
  4. ^ A Century of Champions. WA Soccer Hall of Fame. p. 9.
  5. ^ "1966 Competition Review". footballwa.net. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  6. ^ Krieder, Richard (1996). A Soccer Century. SportsWest Media. p. 52. ISBN 0-646-29376-1.
  7. ^ "Cracovia – Divisional History". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  8. ^ "A Genuine Passion for the Game" (PDF). The Fame Game. Football Hall of Fame Western Australia. Autumn 2008. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  9. ^ Greenwood, Barrie (2000). Soccer: West Australia 1960 to 2000. Perth: Perth Advertising Services. p. 156.