Springvale White Eagles FC

The club was accepted into the National Premier Leagues Victoria in late 2013 and was placed in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 division for the 2014 season, essentially the new second tier of soccer in Victoria. The club finished the season in 12th place in the 14 team league, avoiding relegation under no relegation – promotion between the NPL and State Leagues below.[7]

In 2015, the NPL 2 was split into an East and West division with the White Eagles competing in the East division in the 2015 season. Springvale endured a tough campaign, winning just four games all year, finishing in 9th place in the East division and 19th place overall in the NPL1 league system.[8] Late in October 2015, head manager Zlatko Mihajlović resigned from his position, citing poor club finances and lack of ambition as the main reasons behind his decision to depart the club. Mihajlović, a former player and 1999 Bill Fleming medallist, revealed that the club the club were at a bad place and needed rebuilding. [9]

On 26 November 2015, they announced Boyan Mitkov as the new senior head coach.[10] Mitkov was previously the u20s manager at the nearby Dandenong Thunder. Springvale lost key player Šimo Jovanović to Kingston City in a big blow to new manager Mitkov. Jovanović had spent his entire career with the White Eagles, progressing through the youth system to eventually become the club's captain.[11] On 12 April 2016, it was announced that senior head coach Boyan Mitkov and his assistant Gus Caminos had resigned from their positions seven rounds into the NPL2 season. Pascoe Vale FC U20s manager and former White Eagles player Nik Kovacevic were announced as the replacement. Mitkov departed with Springvale winless in their first seven league games.[12] Kovacevic's reign began with an incredible turn of form, the club managing five consecutive wins, propelling itself up the league ladder. Springvale finished the season in 6th place in the NPL2 East, its second best-ever finish in the NPL2 competition [13] In November 2016, head coach Kovacevic departed the club to return to Pascoe Vale as a senior assistant coach.[14]

Springvale White Eagles appointed former Altona Magic coach Vlado Tortevski as their new manager for the 2017 NPL2 season.[15] Despite winning three of their opening four NPL2 league games, Tortevski's side then won just one of the following ten, leading to the departure of the head coach in May 2017.[16] The White Eagles finished the season in 7th place.[17]

The following 2018 season, Springvale reappointed former club coach Nik Kovacevic to lead the eagles for the 2018 NPL Competition. Player movements at Eagles Stadium were large with big name signings coming to Melbourne’s South East adding to a talented squad at the helm. With a total of 7 key signings in the off-season Kovačevič’s men had no easy task of securing a starting 11 birth. With the arrival of the experienced central defensive partnership of former Whittlesea Ranges FC Pavle Durkic & Former West Adelaide SC Milos Tošić. Also adding to the list, former South Melbourne FC & Melbourne City FC Youth prospect Andy Kecojević being a vital signing for the Eagles. Alongside Kecojevic, Springvale also brought in young gun Melbourne City FC Youth product Marcus Dimanche , Delarno Pharoe & Slaven Vranešević. Not short of forwards The Eagles secured the services of Englishmen Luke Barrow whom was a former teammate to former Eagle John Pykett at Aylesbury United F.C. With an mid season loss of Captain Dejan Erakovic the Eagles brought in 3 key signings to its high profile squad with former Oakleigh Cannon FC Bonel Obradović. Also adding to the list was former Kingston City FC Nemanja Lojanica & former Melbourne City FC Youth player Nenad Nikolic. The eagles finished the 2018 campaign in fourth place in the NPL2 East, its best finish since the inception of the NPL in 2014. The eagles were in high contention for the title after an upset 1-0 win at home against league leaders Dandenong City SC perusing into second position on the ladder. Following an away defeat to the hands of a high flying Eastern Lions SC who scored seven goals in their past two league fixtures the Eagles lost their third spot finish. [18]

In 2019, with a league re-structure meaning only the top six would remain in NPL2 in 2020, the club decided to take a youth-based approach. A season of struggle ensued and the Keysborough-based club finished in bottom place, with just four wins in 28 games. The club was relegated to NPL3 for 2020.[19]

Nebojsa Vukosavljevic, the club's head coach for the 2019 season, resigned after the relegation and Springvale appointed former Socceroo John Markovski for the 2020 NPL3 campaign.

The teams both situated 6km apart, the rivalry between the clubs is immense.

On the 11th of February, 2017 The White Eagles hosted The Thunder in the Second Round of the 2017 National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 competition. Infront of healthy contingent of local fans, the White Eagles got off to an perfect start early in the second half with new signing Cody Martindale gaining the lead for the Eagles. With a fiery clash on and off the field referee Alessandro Arbizzani was not holding back on the cautions. With Springvale leading the contest 1-0 in the 60th minute, a brawl erupted in the stands which escalated, forcing the referee to halt proceedings for approximately 10 minutes. In the final stages of the game the Eagles capitalised on a counterattack with goal scorer Tapiwanashe Munyanyiwa finishing a great move by the Eagles. Late in the game there was drama, with Springvale Player Nebojsa Pejić putting one in his own net bringing back the game to 2-1. The Eagles hung on for a vital three points, winning its first two games off the 2017 season under Vlado Tortevski. They later faced Dandenong at George Andrews Reserve in Round 17 loosing 4-0.

Head-to-Head

• Games: 7
• White Eagles wins: 1
• Thunder wins: 6
• Draws: 0
• White Eagles goals: 7
• Thunder goals: 23

The teams were both in the Victorian Premier League in the 2007 and 2011 seasons.

Head-to-Head

• Games: 4
• White Eagles wins: 0
• Knights wins: 3
• Draws: 1
• White Eagles goals: 3
• Knights goals: 12

These 2 clubs first met in the Victorian Premier league on 22 March 1997. The game was played in the Serbian Sports Centre where White Eagles recorded a 3–1 win. In that match, St Albans took the lead in the 43 minutes with a goal by Idriz Peja. White Eagles Jim Gacovski levelled the score in the 83rd minute. Anthony Burlak scored in the 89th minute and Nick Kovacevic in the 90th minute to give White Eagles a memorable 3–1 victory.

In Round 12 on the 12th of May 2019 in the NPL 2 season the eagles travelled to Churchill Reserve & took all three points back to White Eagles Stadium in an thrilling 2-1 win with goals to Taban Makoii from the penalty spot (19th minute) and Gerry Kavadas (21st minute). A win for the Eagles after a long unsuccessful period at Churchill Reserve in over 7 years.

Head-to-Head VPL and VIC Division 1 (from 2011 to present)[20]

• Games: 8
• White Eagles wins: 2
• St Albans wins: 4
• Draws: 2
• White Eagles goals: 11
• St Albans goals: 16