THE ROAD TO CB SMITH
by Steven Babo - Sport Writer

The final standings of the 1984 season saw Morwell Falcons edge out Polonia and Fawkner to become Champions of Victoria’s Premier football competition. Seven divisions lower in Provisional League Two, Victorian football minnows Pascoe Vale defeated then-rivals Fitzroy City two-nil to secure the Championship by a point – the first ever in the club’s history.

Richards Reserve, or ‘The Velodrome’ as it was aptly referred to by the ‘Paco’ faithful given its neighbouring location to Coburg’s premier cycling track, was a precinct that opposing teams dreaded to visit. Tin sheds for change rooms, a bunker-like club room space, and a playing surface which resembled a minefield. Despite the bobbles, the ground unearthed many legends of the club, including Tony Centorrino who continuously had twenty-plus goal seasons to fire the Vale’s into the Metropolitan league.

In 1990, North Coburg United – now Hume City - re-located to Reddish Reserve, which left Hosken Reserve vacant and Pascoe Vale with the opportunity to upgrade. A change in scenery brought imminent success when in 1992, arguably the club’s greatest side assembled and lead by manager John Tilovski became Victorian State League Division Four Champions, turning the Sheppard St address into a fortress. Here, Pascoe Vale re-generated its playing list and administration with the guidance of its core founding members. A new football philosophy emerged and the local community had a new Saturday afternoon attraction.

The resurgence through the ‘noughties’ saw Pascoe Vale reach new heights with promotion into State League One under Luciano Trani, who has now graduated into a role at Melbourne City in football’s national competition, the A-League. The social rooms quickly filled with Championship pennants and in the same time the club achieved its first ever success, now have added four more.

The dream of one day making the Premier League became so close, yet so far as the club continued to face challenges in meeting standards set by the state’s football governing body. With belief in the club’s direction and the people behind it, strong support came from the Moreland City Council in getting the facilities Premier League-ready, which included a refurbished club room, a player’s race, ground resurfacing and an upgrade on the flood lights. In 2012, the club took the giant leap into the big time after being crowned State League Division One Champions. For two years, Hosken Reserve would light up the Moreland region on Friday nights as local football fans and families converged to support their Premier football team under the new National Premier Leagues structure.

Last Friday night, Pascoe Vale in conjunction with the Moreland City Council unveiled the newly developed $6.4 million CB Smith Reserve as one of three tenants to occupy the state-of-the-art facility. Boasting a 2000-plus capacity, the precinct includes an eastern grandstand, corporate and media hospitality, enhanced player facilities and a welcoming spacious club room. However, the biggest compliments amongst the 1,100 strong crowd – a record club attendance in itself - came for the immaculate playing surface, which was highlighted by the fluency and pace at which the game was played at, with 5 goals scored in 39 minutes. Complementing the facility is the tireless work and effort by the volunteers behind the scenes who ensure the Friday night experience is a hospitable and entertaining one for players, spectators and officials.

Driven by current and former President’s Jim and Lou Tona, their supporting crew and the council, the landmark move completes a rejuvenation of a sporting club which started as a social kick about for European immigrants in the 1960’s to fostering a community of all cultures and providing a pathway to aspiring young footballers to achieve their dreams. Hosken Reserve still remains the Vales’ training and spiritual home with the main ground now more accessible to the 300-strong junior program which will aid the development of the next generation, some of which are descendants of that famous class of ’92.