09/02/2026
Club Statement – 2026 State League Team
Albert Park Soccer Club would like to address recent discussion circulating across social media regarding the club’s State League team for the 2026 season.
When this information first appeared publicly, no formal decision had been made. While discussions were underway internally, the reports at that time were not accurate. Unfortunately, after an extended period of careful consideration, the committee has now made the very difficult decision to withdraw our State League team for the 2026 season.
This decision has not been taken lightly. Over many months, the committee explored all available options to continue in State League 4. This included actively seeking a new senior manager and holding several conversations with prospective candidates, none of which ultimately came to fruition. At the same time, a significant number of players from our Saturday program followed our former manager to another State League club, while others chose to step away from football altogether or transition into Sunday Metropolitan football.
As a volunteer-run, community-based club, the committee simply does not have the manpower required at this time to recruit a senior manager, a reserves manager, and two competitive squads capable of sustaining a successful State League campaign. Proceeding without the right structures and personnel in place would not be in the best interests of the club, the players, or the competition.
We are devastated that we have had to reach this point. However, we believe this is the most responsible decision for the long-term health of Albert Park Soccer Club. We have also sought advice from other clubs who have faced similar situations in recent years, and their experience has shown that taking time to reset has allowed them to rebuild strongly and return better prepared.
Albert Park Soccer Club will continue to operate as it always has. Our women’s program, junior program, and Sunday Metropolitan teams will remain a core focus, and we will continue to compete proudly within the Football Victoria pyramid as a member club. We remain committed to being a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community club for people from all backgrounds to enjoy football.
Our intention is to use this period to regroup, rebuild our foundations, and put the right people and structures in place. We are confident this will position us to return to State League football bigger, better, and stronger for the 2027 season.
We thank our members, players, volunteers, and supporters for their understanding and ongoing support during this challenging time.
