Paul Trimboli

NSL Career: Sunshine George Cross, South Melbourne 452 (119) / 1987 - 2003/04

Socceroos Career: 39 (14) A Internationals / 7 (2) B Internationals

In 2010, the International Football Federation of History and Statistics (IFFHS) named South Melbourne Oceania's Club of the Century on behalf of FIFA. One player in particular was at the centre of South's success from the late 1980s through to the end of the NSL era. Put simply, Paul Trimboli was to South Melbourne what Alessandro Del Piero was to Juventus. Blessed with an abundance of skill and vision, Trimboli was a deadly finisher for South who also turned provider in key moments.

Trimboli spent his entire junior career at Brighton Soccer Club and made his first team debut as a 16 year old in the Victorian League Division Four before joining the AIS Soccer Program in 1986. Trimboli joined Sunshine in 1987 and made his NSL debut as an 18 year old in a three-nil loss to future club South Melbourne.

After a season in a struggling side where Trimboli's ability stood out, the young attacker made a move to South Melbourne for the 1988 season. Trimboli made his presence felt at South, winning back-to-back NSL U-21 Player of the Year awards in 1988 and 1989 and made his Socceroos debut at just 19 years of age.

Utilising his skill, vision and eye for goal - Trimboli helped South find success during the 1990s and become a powerhouse club. Trimboli won the 1989/90 NSL Cup and 1990/91 NSL Championship under the legendary Hungarian player and coach Ferenc Puskás: scoring in the cup final and assisting Joe Palatsides late in the grand final to level the scores before South went on to win in a penalty shoot-out against Melbourne Croatia.

Trimboli won his first Johnny Warren Medal in the 1992/93 season as South reached their first of three consecutive preliminary finals. Trimboli played a major role in South's 1995/96 NSL Cup Final victory over Newcastle Breakers, assisting Kiwi striker Vaughan Coveny for the first goal and winning a penalty for the second in their three-one win. 

1990/91 NSL Championship team mate Ange Postecoglou took over as South coach at the end of the 1995/96 season and looked to club captain Trimboli to be the inspiration for a new era in South's history. Under Postecoglou, South won back-to-back championships in the 1997/98 and 1998/99 seasons with Trimboli again pulling the strings - involved in creating both goals in the 1998 grand final, winning the 1997/98 Johnny Warren Medal and scored South's first goal in the 1999 grand final. 

As 1998/99 NSL Champions, South earned a place in the 1999 Oceania Club Championship and won the tournament, earning them a place in the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship where Trimboli played in all three games against Vasco Da Gama, Necaxa and Manchester United.

Trimboli played in the 2000/01 NSL Grand Final in which South lost to Wollongong before retiring in the final season of the NSL (2003/04). His total of 452 NSL matches placed him second on the all-time list behind only Alex Tobin and his 119 NSL goals placed him sixth on the all-time goal scorers list. 

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Trimboli failed to earn an overseas contract, having unsuccessful trials at Scottish giants Rangers and EPL club Manchester City during the 1990s. Europe's loss was the NSL's gain however as Trimboli became one of it's greatest players and was selected in South Melbourne's Team of the Century.