LIAM DURKIN
SOCCER
LVSL
By LIAM DURKIN
AS if playing 1200 games didn’t already make you a legend.
Moe United Soccer Club games record-holder Peter Albanese was officially elevated to legend status of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League on Saturday night.
The presentation was made at a formal gathering of Red Devils players, officials and supporters for the club’s 70th anniversary.
Well-known local soccer identity Lee Dastey made the presentation on behalf of LVSL president Allan Roberts.
Roberts sent his congratulations, saying Albanese’s length of tenure and service to the league had been extraordinary – the likes of which will probably never be seen again.
Of the around 1200 games Albanese has played, an estimated 800 have been in the seniors, and he has been with Moe United for almost half a century.
Not one to ever show too much emotion or make a big deal out of individual awards, Albanese said he was “humbled” to receive the honour, citing a love of the game as the reason he kept playing.
Amazingly, the 55-year-old is still regarded as the premier goalkeeper of the LVSL. Renowned for his ‘shot stopping’ ability, his work between the sticks has seen Moe United to no shortage of league titles over the years.
Although he might belie his age, his longevity comes as little surprise as he still trains twice a week and completes preseason.
Post-presentation, Albanese was swamped by well-wishes, while teammates gathered to give him ‘three cheers’ on stage.
With no signs of slowing down, players within the LVSL look set to hear the call of ‘Albo’s ball’ for a few years to come yet.
