Fortuna 60 SC
| Full name | Fortuna '60 Soccer Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Orangemen | ||
| Founded | 1960 | ||
| Ground | Crinigan Road South Reserve | ||
| Capacity | 500 | ||
| Chairman | Giuseppe Deluca | ||
| Manager | Ash Ross and Robbie Stephen | ||
| League | VSL 5 / Latrobe Valley Soccer League | ||
| 2025 | VSL 5 South 1st of 11 (Champions) | ||
| Website | [<span%20class="url"> | ||
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| Active departments of Fortuna 60 | ||||||
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Fortuna '60 Soccer Club is a soccer club based in Morwell, Victoria, Australia. The club was founded in 1960, currently competes in Victorian Men's State League Division 5 South and the Latrobe Valley Soccer League and is regularly referred to as Fortuna.
They are among the most successful club in the history of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, winning 10 league championships.[1]
In 2025, Fortuna joined the Victorian State League, where they were initially added to the Victorian State League 5 South before winning promotion in their first season. The club fields men's seniors and reserves in the State League, whilst also fielding a side in the LVSL Men's Second Division, with the women's and junior teams also playing in the LVSL.[2]
History
The highly successful Morwell Soccer Club – which was formed in the 1930s – enjoyed an influx of migrant players in the 1950s and by the start of the 1954 season, the club was described as "a team comprising Dutch migrants under former international, Van Heutral".[3]
In 1957, employees of the large Dutch construction company Werkspoor – who were building the Gas and Fuel Plant in Morwell – formed an under-12 junior team for the sons of the respective families. In recognition of the company's sponsorship, the employees named the club Werkspoor Junior Soccer Club.
Fortuna became one of the first soccer clubs to play at Maryvale Reserve, which was the first purpose-built soccer facility in Morwell. Fittingly, it was an under-15 junior side that won the club's first trophy in 1958. The number of junior sides grew, and in 1959 the club entered a reserve side in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League's Provisional League, winning that league's championship. At the end of 1959, Werkspoor left the area and the club secured financial assistance through sponsorship from the Dutch social club.
In 1960, it was decided that the club should become autonomous. Through that process, the name Fortuna was born, and the club's application to join the LVSL First Division was accepted. Many of the 1959 Werkspoor players went on to represent Fortuna's inaugural teams in 1960.[4][5]
Jeeralang Road Reserve became the club's new home in 1961, and a year later Fortuna won the Reserve League Championship for the first time. The senior side was rewarded for their efforts in 1964, winning the Lightning Premiership. Unable to secure a long-term lease with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria at Jeeralang Road Reserve, the club moved back to Maryvale Reserve in 1967.
A permanent home was finally secured when the Morwell Shire allocated part of the Crinigan Road South Reserve to the club in 1971, beginning the long, challenging, and enjoyable process of building a new home. The original clubrooms were expanded in 1975 when an ex-Yallourn house was purchased and converted into club rooms and change rooms.
Progress across all facets of the club continued, and in 1983 the club was rewarded with its first Senior League Championship, followed by winning the club's first Battle of Britain Cup in 1984. Over the next few years, the seniors, reserves, and juniors all enjoyed continued success. New change rooms were built in 1985 in partnership with the Morwell Shire and the Morwell Rugby Union Club.
Throughout the years, the committees and members worked toward one day having new clubrooms. This was achieved on 28 August 1992, with the official opening performed by the then Mayor of Morwell, Councillor John Guy.
With new clubrooms and a growing following, the club went on to win the Senior League title for the second time in 1997. The club's facilities continued to improve with the addition of new light towers and ground sprinklers. These improvements coincided with the club winning the title again in 2000, which marked the start of a remarkable era. Several close title challenges over the following years led to the club equalling the league record of four successive senior titles, from 2003 to 2006.
In June 2012, former AFL footballer Troy Makepeace switched codes and made his soccer debut, playing three senior games for Fortuna in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League. He made his debut as a substitute against Churchill United, which Fortuna won 2-1.[6] Across all competitions, including youth matches in which Makepeace was permitted to play, he played 15 matches.[7]
The club won the 2023 Latrobe Valley Soccer League championship in memorable fashion, defeating ladder leaders and local rivals Falcons 2000 5–1 on the final day of the season to claim the title.[8]
Fortuna 60's Senior Men's team moved from the LVSL to the Victorian State League 5 South in 2025 and were crowned champions at the first attempt, going through the entire season undefeated and winning promotion to Victorian State League 5.[9]
Club colors and badge
The club's orange-and-black home kit is inspired by the Netherlands national team and have a lion on their crest, the symbol of the Dutch community which formed the team in 1960.[10]
The club's away kit is predominantly white with red pinstrips down the chest and arms, with black shorts and black socks.[11]
Stadium
The club plays its home matches at Crinigan Road South Reserve, which has a capacity of 500 (with a seating capacity of 50).
Fortuna '60 SC offers a large modern function room seating up to 130 people, with a semi-commercial kitchen.[12]
Honours
Club
Men
State
- Victorian State League 5 South
- Champions (1): 2025
Local
- Latrobe Valley Soccer League
- Champions (10): 1983, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2023
- Runner Up (6): 1981, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2022, 2024[13]
- Battle of Britain Cup
- Champions (5): 2000, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2024
- Runner Up (6): 1975, 1976, 1983, 1994, 2004, 2022[14]
- LVSL Women's Browne-Huizer Cup
- Champions (3): 2017, 2018, 2019.
- Runner Up (1): 2022, 2023, 2024[15]
Individual
Men
State
- 2025: Damon Scott - 25[16]
Local
- LVSL Player of the Year - Men's (Dick Bosma Medal)
- 2018: Brandon Scott
- 2024: Jordan Campbell[17]
- LVSL Player of the Year - Men's (Scott Frendo Medal)
- 2023: Jordan Campbell[18]
- LVSL Golden Boot - Men's
- 2024: Damon Scott - 29
- LVSL Coach of the Year - Men's
- 2023: Hayden Tanti[19]
Women
- LVSL Player of the Year - Women's
- LVSL Golden Boot - Women's
- 2014: Rachel Coulthard
- 2017: Stephanie Collins - 33
Notable former players
Clayton Bell- Troy Makepeace
- Hayden Tanti
- Luke Cheney
- Ben Cassar
Matt Ross- Dean Herben
Rivalries
— Ex-Fortuna coach Paul Tanti on the rivalry with Falcons 2000.[22]
Fortuna has a local rivalry with Falcons 2000, who are based at Falcons Park – on the other side of Crinigan Road, making them two of the closest geographical rivals in world football.[23]
Despite the two clubs existing side-by-side for more than 60 years, the rivalry is considered to a 'friendly' one, with multiple players and coaches crossing the road to represent both clubs, including Clayton Bell, Luke Cheney and Ben Cassar.
Fortuna are also rivals of Churchill United, having competed for the status as the LVSL's most powerful club during the early and mid-2000s.[24]
Club song
The official anthem of the Fortuna 60 is sung to the tune of Elvis Presly's hit blues song from 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel".[25]
"Well since I joined Fortuna, I've found a new place to dwell. It’s down the end of Crinigan Road, It’s called Heartbreak Hotel.
We get so hungry, We get so hungry, We get so hungry we could die.
We’re down there on a Tuesday, we ’re down there Thursday too, We’re down there on a Sunday and we’ll stick it right up you.
We get so hungry, We get so hungry, We get so hungry we could die.
You think your gonna beat us, You think your gonna draw, But we’re about to tell you that your gonna get stuff all.
You met Fortuna, You met Fortuna, You met Fortuna and you died."
Current senior squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
- ↑ Pedersen, Daniel (2023-09-06). "Winning formula". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ Hayes, Tom (2024-12-18). "Fortuna make the switch". Latrobe Valley Express. Archived from the original on 2026-04-08. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ↑ "SOCCER LEAGUE COMMENCES – Good Matches Listed at Weekend". Gippsland Times. 1954-04-01. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ https://www.shootfarken.com.au/clogball-remembering-dutch-football-clubs-of-australia/
- ↑ DACC (2023-07-27). "The rich history of Dutch football clubs in Australia". Dutch Australia Cultural Centre. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ "Rams undone in upset". Latrobe Valley Express. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ↑ "Troy Makepace - LVSL Player Profile". My GameDay. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ↑ Pedersen, Daniel (2023-09-06). "Winning formula". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ "2025 Victorian Provisional League Division 5 South Ladder". MyGameDay. 2025-08-26. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ↑ Cornelis, George (1970-04-17). "De sport in de Latrobe Vallei – Soccer is de hoofdschotel". Dutch Australian Weekly. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ "FV Rd 20 2025 Bunyip Strikers v Fortuna 60". Football Chaos. 2025-08-26. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ↑ "Fortuna Soccer Club". Latrobe City Council. May 14, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ↑ "LVSL League Winners". Football Chaos. 2024-05-06. Archived from the original on 2025-01-21. Retrieved 2024-09-12. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "LVSL Battle of Britain Winners". Football Chaos. 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ "LVSL Women's Browne-Huizer Cup". mygameday.app. 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
- ↑ "2020s's Men's State League Award Winners". Football Victoria. November 2, 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-12-17. Retrieved December 8, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Football Victoria's 2024 State Leagues and Regional Senior Competitions Award Winners Confirmed". Football Victoria. October 31, 2024. Archived from the original on August 30, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "2023 LVSL Award Winners". LVSL Official - Facebook. October 27, 2023. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "2023 LVSL Award Winners". LVSL Official - Facebook. October 27, 2023. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Mchallam a cut above". Latrobe Valley Express. September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ↑ "2019 LVSL Award Winners". LVSL Official - MyGameDay. October 27, 2019. Archived from the original on December 8, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Darroch, Samuel (24 June 2013). "Rivalry round ignites". Latrobe Valley Express. Archived from the original on 20 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ Pedersen, Daniel (2023-08-29). "LVSL race down to the last day". Latrobe Valley Express. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ "Cheney coup for Fortuna". Latrobe Valley Express. 2015-11-25. Archived from the original on 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
- ↑ "2025 FV MSL 5 Sth, Rd 7 : Fortuna 60 v Aspendale". Football Chaos. May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
External links
- Official club Facebook
- Fortuna 60 Fixtures and Results (MyGameDay)
- Dutch Australian Cultural Centre - Fortuna 60
Template:Latrobe Valley Soccer League
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