FC Bulleen Lions
FC Bulleen Lions is an Australian semi-professional football club based in the Melbourne suburb Bulleen. Founded in 1974 by Melbourne's Italian community, the club currently competes in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2, the second highest level of Victorian state soccer. Since its inception, the club has been based at David Barro stadium in the Veneto Club when it was both a stand-alone and a merged club. Bulleen has competed at the highest level in two separate stints in 1988–1996 and 2016–2018, where the club were premiers and champions in 1993. From 1997 to 2007, the club competed as Bulleen Inter Kings (subsequently Bulleen Zebras) after merges with Box Hill, Brunswick Zebras, Clayton Inter, and Essendon Royals. In this time, another two more premierships were achieved in 1998 and 2004. History FC Bulleen Lions was founded in 1974. The team wore maroon and gold kits. The Club initially competed in the VSF North Division. In 1977, Bulleen moved up to Provisional League Two. In 1983, after finishing second in Provisional League Two the year before, Bulleen were granted a licence to participate in the third division of the Metropolitan league. In 1985, Bulleen were promoted to the second division of the Metro league. In 1987 Bulleen won the Division 1 championship by one point against Ringwood City Wilhelmina. In 1987, the senior team was promoted to the State League, the then top division of football in Victoria. In 1991, Bulleen were accepted into the reformed Victorian Premier League, which replaced the old State League. Bulleen finished the season equal first with Juventus, but lost out on top spot by virtue of a lower goal difference. In 1993, Bulleen became known as the Bulleen Lions. That was a famous year for the club as the first major title was secured, first winning the Premiers Plate for their first-place finish and then grabbing the Championship by beating Fawkner in the Grand Final. Bulleen reached the Grand Final again in 1995, but lost out to Altona Magic SC 3–2 at Olympic Park. In 1997, Brunswick Zebras merged with Bulleen Lions and Box Hill Inter to become the Bulleen Inter Kings. Bulleen Inter Kings later changed their name to the Bulleen Zebras. In 2007, the club hosted no senior team. In 2008, Essendon Royals played out of the Veneto Club and formed the Bulleen Royals, playing in the First Division. From 2009 onwards, the seniors were once again known as the FC Bulleen Lions, reverting to their original colours of maroon and gold. The club finished mid-table in the Victorian State League 1 for five consecutive seasons from 2009–2013. National Premier Leagues 2014 saw Bulleen participate in the inaugural National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 campaign, finishing in fifth place in the 14 team competition under head coach Fabrizio Soncin. Joey Katebian was the league's equal top goalscorer, tied with Tom Cahill on 26 goals. Bulleen appointed a new coach for the 2015 season, with Domenic Barba replacing Soncin. The 2015 NPL2 competition was split