Camera IconAlastair Mackay (Fremantle United), left, Maurice Oteri (Fremantle City) and Alan Ferris (East Fremantle Tricolore) are looking forward to the next step in the One Club proposal. Credit: Supplied/Robin Kornet.
Fremantle Gazette
Fremantle soccer clubs could become the biggest in the State after merge
Jessica NicoFremantle Gazette
September 30, 2016 1:00PM
FREMANTLE could soon be home to one of the biggest soccer clubs in the State after two local clubs voted to take the next step in a proposed new venture.
Members from the Fremantle United and East Fremantle Tricolore clubs voted to move onto stage two of the One Club proposal, which would see all players from both clubs registered under the banner Fremantle National Premier League Football Association for the 2017 season.
While the three clubs, including the newly formed Fremantle City Football Club, would still have teams operating under their individual names next year, the committee, coaching, volunteering, playing and training resources would be pooled together as they tested the waters of the new system.
Fremantle City president Maurice Oteri said if the 2017 system proved to be a success, all teams would then operate under the Fremantle City banner from 2018 onwards.
"I think it is a courageous move by both sides for it is hard at the best of times to accept any form of change for the fear of the unknown," he said.
"However, it is easier to accept a decision when you see things change for the better."
Mr Oteri said the history of both Fremantle United and East Fremantle Tricolore, which were formed in 1977 and 1953 respectively, would not be swept aside.
"There is no "folding" into the FCFC, players aged 5-9 will continue to represent EFT and FUSC in their original parent club colours as will the senior social and masters teams," he said.
"It is important to retain the history, keep the strengths of what each club has in its own right, and blend the new direction within it as well.
"There is no gain in alienating those members who were the foundation members of both clubs – it would be disrespectful to the sacrifice and commitment they made towards building the clubs to begin with for without them the FCFC would not exist."