Adelaide City Celebrates 80 Remarkable Years at Gala Ball

More than 550 guests, including some of the biggest names in South Australian football history, gathered at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night as Adelaide City Football Club celebrated one of the most significant milestones in its history — 80 years of football, community and family.

Past and present players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors, members and supporters came together for an unforgettable evening that honoured the people who have shaped Adelaide City since its foundation in 1946.

Throughout the night, there was one message that resonated time and time again.

Adelaide City Football Club is about people.

While the club's history is decorated with championships, trophies, international players and unforgettable moments, the evening served as a reminder that Adelaide City's greatest achievement has always been the community it has built across eight decades.

The celebrations commenced with a powerful logo evolution video tracing the club's journey from its earliest days through to its current 80th Anniversary identity, before guests were welcomed by MC Tom Rehn.

Current Adelaide City players Mia Dodd and Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio delivered a Welcome to Country and reflection on community, connection and belonging, setting the tone for the evening ahead. The evening also showcased the next generation of Adelaide City representatives, with current players playing a prominent role throughout the program.

Guests also heard from Adelaide City President Angelo Carrozza and Minister Tom Koutsantonis, who reflected on the club's contribution to South Australian sport and multiculturalism, while recognising the important role Adelaide City continues to play within the local community.

Among the more than 550 guests in attendance were political leaders, former Socceroos, NSL champions, club legends, sponsors and long-time supporters, highlighting Adelaide City's enduring influence across both football and the broader South Australian community.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Legends Panel featuring Joe Mullen, Alex Tobin and Aurelio Vidmar.

Their stories transported guests back to Adelaide City's National Soccer League years, recalling the standards, culture and ambition that established the club as one of Australia's most successful football institutions.

A particularly special aspect of the evening was the presence of members from Adelaide City's National Soccer League Championship-winning teams. For many in attendance, it provided a rare opportunity to reconnect, share memories and celebrate some of the club's greatest achievements together.

The club also paid a moving tribute to legendary coach Zoran Matic, recognising his extraordinary contribution to Adelaide City and South Australian football.

Adelaide City Women's legend Daniela Di Bartolo was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the club across more than two decades, while current captains Ali Atkins and Nicholas Bucco reflected on what it means to represent Adelaide City today and carry the responsibility of those who came before them.

The club also recognised members of its historic 2019 Women's Treble-winning team, celebrating one of the most successful seasons in Adelaide City's history and acknowledging the important role the women's program has played in the club's modern era.

Following the Captains Panel, Adelaide City's Board of Directors were invited to the stage to cut the club's 80th Anniversary cake, marking another significant moment in the evening's celebrations.

The cake cutting brought together President Angelo Carrozza and fellow board members Charlie Zollo, Dr Michael Vinci, Tony Antenucci, Tony Tavella, Petrina Carullo and Gus Capogreco, recognising the stewardship and leadership that continues to guide the club into its next chapter.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Adelaide City President Angelo Carrozza said reconnecting the club's past with its present had been one of his key priorities since taking on the role.

"When I took on the role of President, one of my most important goals was to reconnect our past with our present, said Carrozza.

"To honour the generations of people who built this club and laid the rock-solid foundations upon which we stand today, while ensuring their legacy continues to inspire and guide us into the future.

"Last night was a celebration of those who built this club, those who continue to serve it, and those who will one day inherit it. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and because of them, Adelaide City's best days are still ahead of us."

Throughout the evening, commemorative team photographs were taken featuring Adelaide City's NSL Championship teams, Women's and Men's Treble-winning teams and the club's current Women's State League and NPL squads — a powerful visual reminder of the generations connected through the black and white.

Later in the evening, guests were shown a short 80-Year Anniversary video celebrating the people, stories and community that have shaped Adelaide City Football Club across eight decades. Featuring a collection of past and present players, coaches, volunteers and supporters, it served as a powerful reminder that while success has been an important part of Adelaide City's story, its greatest strength has always been its people.

The video forms part of a larger 80-Year documentary project currently in production, which is set to be released later this year.

Gordon Pickard's Extraordinary Gift

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came during President Angelo Carrozza's address when special guest Gordon Pickard made an extraordinary commitment to the club's future.

Mr Pickard announced he would donate $1,000 for every year Adelaide City Football Club has existed — a remarkable $80,000 contribution — before adding a further $20,000 in recognition of Adelaide City's contribution when many of the club's players formed the foundation of Adelaide United's inaugural squad in 2003/04.

The announcement was one of the defining moments of the evening, receiving enthusiastic applause from guests in recognition of Mr Pickard's extraordinary generosity.

His incredible $100,000 donation will fund a new scoreboard at Oakden Sports Centre, with Mr Pickard requesting it be named the Pickard-Zollo Scoreboard.

It was a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the evening — honouring the past while investing in the future.

Live Auction and Fundraising Success

The evening concluded with a live auction featuring a collection of signed football memorabilia from some of the biggest names in world football, alongside a range of premium items and experiences generously donated by supporters and partners of the club.

The generosity shown throughout the evening by sponsors, donors, members and supporters reinforced the strength of the Adelaide City community and its commitment to ensuring the club continues to thrive for generations to come.

Major Raffle Winners

The club would also like to congratulate the winners of the 2026 Adelaide City Major Raffle:

🥇 1st Prize – Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Life 1.4L: G. Jung (Ticket No. 2860)

🥈 2nd Prize – Montana Hybrid Gas & Charcoal BBQ: Megan Seedsman (Ticket No. 3188)

🥉 3rd Prize – Hisense 75-inch QLED Smart TV: Kim Chau (Ticket No. 1334)

The club also acknowledges the generous support of its Gala Ball, Live Auction and Major Raffle partners. Special thanks to Principal Gala and Raffle Partner Solitaire Volkswagen, along with Chemist Warehouse, Dechellis Homes, Regency Timber, Iannace Refrigerated Transport, Ultrabuilt, My Choice Care, Belgravia Apparel, Ray White Constructions, Caiazza Constructions, Redfox Mobile, Retail Ink, TMK Engineering and Hicrete Precast. The club would also like to thank Euro Appliances and Harvey Norman Gepps Cross for their support of the 2026 Major Raffle.

Finally, Adelaide City would like to acknowledge and thank the Adelaide City Events Committee and the many volunteers who contributed countless hours behind the scenes to make the evening possible.

From planning and logistics to fundraising, sponsorship, memorabilia, guest coordination and event delivery, the success of the 80th Anniversary Gala Ball was a reflection of the passion and commitment of volunteers who continue to demonstrate why Adelaide City has always been, and will always be, a club built by its people.

More photos and highlights from the Adelaide City Football Club 80th Anniversary Gala Ball will be shared in the coming weeks as we continue to celebrate this special milestone and the people who have shaped our club over the past 80 years.

As the celebrations drew to a close, one thing was clear.

Eighty years after a group of passionate migrants laid the foundations for what would become Adelaide City Football Club, the values that built the club remain as strong as ever.

Community. Family. Belonging.

And a commitment to ensuring future generations can continue to write the next chapter of Adelaide City's story.

For one night, generations of Adelaide City people came together to celebrate the club's past, recognise those who built it, and look ahead to the future.

Eighty years on, the black and white remains as strong as ever.