The Abbotsford Wolves formed in 2005, when the existing AJFC Premier League 1 team joined the Sydney Amateur Football League from Canterbury District. The squad was built around the core of this Premier League team, which included the likes of Jason DiMichiel, who would captain the squad, Ben and Michael Stephens, and the Long brothers. The squad expanded by recruiting a number of players, including Abbotsford Juniors U/17 stars Joel Riley and Chris Gaskin, and former Strathfield SC keeper Lachlan Coles, who would go on to become the inaugural Reserve Grade captain.
Their first season together proved a successful one, as both sides made the Division Two semi finals. Despite a slow start to the season, Reserve Grade took out the premiership, defeating minor premiers Strathfield 2-0, thanks to goals by Ben Voysey and Gavin Smith. First Grade narrowly missed a grand final berth, bowing out of the semi finals in a penalty shoot out with Dobroyd Lions. These results immediately cemented the squad as a football force to be reckoned with. The Wolves first experience in the knockout competition, the Amateur Cup, was not as rewarding with both teams only lasting a couple of rounds.
Season 2006 saw a number of changes to the squad, with the Wolves securing the services of Reserve Grade midfielders Marco Blasutto and Michael Hearn, and Irish star Ray Mooney from Clane United. Having been promoted to Division One, both grades again made the semi finals. Reserves campaign ended in a penalty shoot out against Racing SC, whilst First Grade narrowly missed out on Amateur Cup success, going down to Arncliffe in the final.
New talent was introduced to an already flourishing line up, as player movement and injuries again impacted on their 2007 campaign. Keeper Michael Stephens signed a lucrative deal with English club Southgate Olympic FC, leaving Lachlan Coles to perform the keeping duties for both grades. Striker Steve Long suffered a season ending knee injury in Round 3, as First Grade failed to make the finals for the first time. Reserve Grade were muscled out of their semi final by Golden Stars, despite their opposition playing with 9 men. Both teams again made the final four of the Amateur Cup but failed to go through to the final, Reserves involved in another heart breaking penalty shoot out against eventual winners, Wanderers.
The 2008 season saw both teams heading into the competition on the back of new and exciting initiatives for the squad. The launch of the Wolves website, and their own logo and sponsorship, made season 2008 the most anticipated in recent years. Unfortunately, the results on the field didn't live up to pre-season expectations, and the Wolves found themselves relegated to Division 2 after First Grade narrowly avoided the wooden spoon with a win in their last game of the season. Despite the Wolves again faultering in the semi finals of their Cup bid, and Reserve Grade unable to capitalise on yet another League semi finals berth, the season ended on a high with a DVD launch at their inaugural awards night.
Recognising the performances of individuals throughout the season, the Wolves presentation night proved a major success. Midfielder Ben Stephens became the first winner of the 'MVP' award for player of the season, ahead of runner up Marco Blasutto, whilst Peter Norman won Rookie of the Season. The Wolves were also thrown into the media spotlight with the launch of their first ever DVD, Hunting For Glory, which featured footage from throughout season.
The Wolves bounced back from the disappointment of the previous season, winning three trophies in 2009, including the First and Reserve Grade Division 2 Grand Finals. The squad was bolstered by the return of keeper Michael Stephens from England, whilst Jonny DiMichiel joined the team for the first time since his playing days in the Premier League side. Both sides were knocked out of the Amateur Cup early on, which allowed the squad to concentrate on their League performances. By the end of the season, both First and Reserve Grade had finished 2nd on the ladder, with Firsts storming into the finals on the back of four straight wins.
Reserve Grade took on Canterbury SC in the Grand Final, a team they had failed to beat in both of their encounters throughout the year. Playing with 10 men after Pete Norman was red carded in the first half, the 0-0 deadlock was broken in the 88th minute when Peter Brouwer scored the Wolves first goal, before Julien Marteau sealed the win with a goal in injury time. First Grade would claim their first ever trophy, with a narrow 1-0 win over Bakhtar Glory, after Jason DiMichiel scored the lone goal 20 minutes into the match. The Wolves held on to make it a Grand Final double, and added their two Grand Final trophies to the Divisional Knockout title won by Reserve Grade a week earlier.
The season was capped off with Jonny DiMichiel winning the Wolves MVP award slightly ahead of fellow defender Dale Jackson. Tommy Andrews won the Golden Boot for most goals for the second year in a row, whilst mid season signing David Brouwer won the Rookie award.
Having been promoted, the Wolves were faced with the tough task of competing in Division 1 for season 2010. Defender David Akers was added to the squad, along with Wolves Youth Academy graduate, Jared Riley, whilst Steve Long returned after a three year break due to injury. Despite winning the inaugural Paramount Cup against rivals Leichhardt Saints, First Grade struggled through the season with a number of inconsistant performances and were bungled out of the Amateur Cup and Divisional Knockout in the first rounds.
Reserve Grade had no such problems, registering their most successful season to date, losing just two League matches and claiming the Minor Premiership for the first time. The Wolves won through to their second consecutive Grand Final, where they defeated Bondi FC in injury time thanks to a freak goal from striker Tommy Andrews. Forced to play with 10 men once again, when Peter Norman was dismissed due to foul play, Andrews' goal from half way saw the Wolves conquer both Division 1 and Division 2 in consecutive seasons.
Their first season together proved a successful one, as both sides made the Division Two semi finals. Despite a slow start to the season, Reserve Grade took out the premiership, defeating minor premiers Strathfield 2-0, thanks to goals by Ben Voysey and Gavin Smith. First Grade narrowly missed a grand final berth, bowing out of the semi finals in a penalty shoot out with Dobroyd Lions. These results immediately cemented the squad as a football force to be reckoned with. The Wolves first experience in the knockout competition, the Amateur Cup, was not as rewarding with both teams only lasting a couple of rounds.
Season 2006 saw a number of changes to the squad, with the Wolves securing the services of Reserve Grade midfielders Marco Blasutto and Michael Hearn, and Irish star Ray Mooney from Clane United. Having been promoted to Division One, both grades again made the semi finals. Reserves campaign ended in a penalty shoot out against Racing SC, whilst First Grade narrowly missed out on Amateur Cup success, going down to Arncliffe in the final.
New talent was introduced to an already flourishing line up, as player movement and injuries again impacted on their 2007 campaign. Keeper Michael Stephens signed a lucrative deal with English club Southgate Olympic FC, leaving Lachlan Coles to perform the keeping duties for both grades. Striker Steve Long suffered a season ending knee injury in Round 3, as First Grade failed to make the finals for the first time. Reserve Grade were muscled out of their semi final by Golden Stars, despite their opposition playing with 9 men. Both teams again made the final four of the Amateur Cup but failed to go through to the final, Reserves involved in another heart breaking penalty shoot out against eventual winners, Wanderers.
The 2008 season saw both teams heading into the competition on the back of new and exciting initiatives for the squad. The launch of the Wolves website, and their own logo and sponsorship, made season 2008 the most anticipated in recent years. Unfortunately, the results on the field didn't live up to pre-season expectations, and the Wolves found themselves relegated to Division 2 after First Grade narrowly avoided the wooden spoon with a win in their last game of the season. Despite the Wolves again faultering in the semi finals of their Cup bid, and Reserve Grade unable to capitalise on yet another League semi finals berth, the season ended on a high with a DVD launch at their inaugural awards night.
Recognising the performances of individuals throughout the season, the Wolves presentation night proved a major success. Midfielder Ben Stephens became the first winner of the 'MVP' award for player of the season, ahead of runner up Marco Blasutto, whilst Peter Norman won Rookie of the Season. The Wolves were also thrown into the media spotlight with the launch of their first ever DVD, Hunting For Glory, which featured footage from throughout season.
The Wolves bounced back from the disappointment of the previous season, winning three trophies in 2009, including the First and Reserve Grade Division 2 Grand Finals. The squad was bolstered by the return of keeper Michael Stephens from England, whilst Jonny DiMichiel joined the team for the first time since his playing days in the Premier League side. Both sides were knocked out of the Amateur Cup early on, which allowed the squad to concentrate on their League performances. By the end of the season, both First and Reserve Grade had finished 2nd on the ladder, with Firsts storming into the finals on the back of four straight wins.
Reserve Grade took on Canterbury SC in the Grand Final, a team they had failed to beat in both of their encounters throughout the year. Playing with 10 men after Pete Norman was red carded in the first half, the 0-0 deadlock was broken in the 88th minute when Peter Brouwer scored the Wolves first goal, before Julien Marteau sealed the win with a goal in injury time. First Grade would claim their first ever trophy, with a narrow 1-0 win over Bakhtar Glory, after Jason DiMichiel scored the lone goal 20 minutes into the match. The Wolves held on to make it a Grand Final double, and added their two Grand Final trophies to the Divisional Knockout title won by Reserve Grade a week earlier.
The season was capped off with Jonny DiMichiel winning the Wolves MVP award slightly ahead of fellow defender Dale Jackson. Tommy Andrews won the Golden Boot for most goals for the second year in a row, whilst mid season signing David Brouwer won the Rookie award.
Having been promoted, the Wolves were faced with the tough task of competing in Division 1 for season 2010. Defender David Akers was added to the squad, along with Wolves Youth Academy graduate, Jared Riley, whilst Steve Long returned after a three year break due to injury. Despite winning the inaugural Paramount Cup against rivals Leichhardt Saints, First Grade struggled through the season with a number of inconsistant performances and were bungled out of the Amateur Cup and Divisional Knockout in the first rounds.
Reserve Grade had no such problems, registering their most successful season to date, losing just two League matches and claiming the Minor Premiership for the first time. The Wolves won through to their second consecutive Grand Final, where they defeated Bondi FC in injury time thanks to a freak goal from striker Tommy Andrews. Forced to play with 10 men once again, when Peter Norman was dismissed due to foul play, Andrews' goal from half way saw the Wolves conquer both Division 1 and Division 2 in consecutive seasons.
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