Adelaide Olympic F.C. is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia. The club competes in the National Premier Leagues South Australia.
Origins
The club's origins can first be traced back to 1978, where it was founded under the name of Adelaide Asteras.
In 1982 the club changed its name to Thebarton Asteras. Six years later, the club was taken over by the Greek Orthodox association of South Australia Inc. who later changed its name to Olympians in 1989.
In 1998, the Greek Orthodox Association of South Australia Inc relinquished the Olympians soccer Club, which amalgamated with SAASL Club "Adelaide Rodos Soccer Club", while keeping the playing name of Olympians.
In 1999 Olympians amalgamated with the Regency Lions Sports and Social Club (SAASL Playing Name :Adelaide Hellenic Soccer Club).
In 2000, the name was changed to Olympic Football Club. In 2001, the club adopted its current name of Adelaide Olympic.
Club history
The Early Years
The club played its first games as Adelaide Asteras in 1979 in the sixth division of the Amateur league. Its initial home games were played at Woodville West, and the club won the division amassing 104 goals – including a 15–0 victory over West End United.
In 1981, the club joined the SASF Metro League and won the league in its first season. They were promoted to the 2nd division, finished last and relegated back to the Metro League in 1982. In 1983, the club finished second and was promoted back up to the second division. The club struggled in the second division for the next eight years.
In 1992, Olympians dominated the second division finishing seven points clear at the top of the table and were promoted to the 1st division. In the same year the club won the top four play-off finals. The topsy turvy path continued over the coming years, which included the club being relegated back to the second division in 1994 (as a result of failing to meet new FFSA requirements, not because of results with the club finishing 8th in the ten team league), returning to the Premier League in 1996, dropping to the 2nd division in 2000 and finally returning to the Premier League in 2001.
The 2000s
The 2004 Premier League season was without a doubt the club's best year in terms of on-field performance. The club earned 2nd spot on the Premier League table and played in the grand final against Metro Stars eventually losing 2–1 after leading 0–1. Adelaide Olympic then continued with another good year in 2005 once again finishing second on the Premier League table and making the finals again however they lost to eventual champions Adelaide City in the semi-final.
Following the loss of several key and experienced players, Adelaide Olympic was relegated at the end of the 2006 season. Seasons 2007, '08, and '09 were spent languishing mid-table in the second division and a massive amount of debt being accumulated.
During the end of the 2009 season a number of key figures within the Adelaide Greek community joined forces to rescue Adelaide Olympic and return the club to the first tier of football. A new board was elected and got on with job of sorting out the club's finances. Former Socceroo Branko Milosevic was appointed as first team coach and number of former players returned to the club as it sought to challenge for promotion into the first division.
The 2010s
In 2011, Adelaide Olympic became the sole tenant of Ferryden Park Reserve which has become affectionately known as "Olympic Park". 2011 also saw the arrival of many talented young players to the u/19 squad providing strong competition to the Reserve & First team squads eventually winning titles amongst the younger brigade. The first team finished 5th only just losing the second promotion spot into the Super League to Enfield City 2–1 in the semi-final of the play-offs.
The 2012 season started with the appointment of Reserve team coach Shane Porter to the First team position however due to player discontent and a poor start to the season the board decided to part ways with Shane Porter and moved quickly to appoint former Blue Eagles coach Zoran Karadzic. Following a disappointing season, Adelaide Olympic later announced the appointment of former Olympians player and U18 coach George Konstandopoulos as First team coach for the coming 2013 season.