Phantom Player Profile
Name: Giuliano Lot
AKA: The Coach
Age: Not sure, but carbon testing seems to have put him about the period of the Ice Age.
Left or Right Foot: Yes he has both.
Years Playing: 21 Years
Previous Club:AC Fettuccine, Inter Lasagne, Parmangana, Peccorino & ABC Spaghetti Napolitana.
History: At the tender age of, well we are not really sure, he began his soccer career with AC Fettuccine. He was spotted by a talent scout whilst playing an international friendly with The Grenades of Lebanon and quickly accepted an offer to play for Inter Lasagne - this changed his career forever. Over the years he has played for a number of illustrious clubs but the biggest change in his career was when he accepted an offer not only to play for the Phantoms but to Coach them as well.
Player most respected: Juergen
Memorable Moment: Being able to fit in the same pair of soccer shorts for so long.
Embarrassing Moment: Being king hit - I never saw it coming.
Favourite Team: South Sydney
Favourite Player: Martina Hingis
Favourite Movie: The Yellow Submarine
Favourite Food: Italian
Goal for 1999: To go through one game without having any of the Phnatoms argue with each other.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Lou Pagano
AKA: Golden Goal
Age: No comment.
Left or Right Foot: I don't think anyone knows.
Years Playing: 134 Years
Previous Club: ACDC Roma, Grasshoppers of Sicily & Cosa Nostra of Naples.
History: He began his soccer career with Cosa Nostra of Naples playing in between jail terms. Whilst on parole he fled the Naples club to play for Grasshoppers of Sicily under the name of The Cuppucino kid. The authorities found him but were unable to apprehend him - he fled to Australia where he met up with his long time associate Boris Rojas. Boris quickly signed him up for the Phantoms and he has been there ever since.
Player most respected: Boris "The Flamenco" Rojas
Memorable Moment: Actually getting onto the park for a game.
Embarrassing Moment: Being pulled off by the Coach.
Favourite Team: The Village People
Favourite Player: Jurgen "Klingsman"
Favourite Movie: Pracilla Queen of the Desert
Favourite Food: Yes
Goal for 1999: To play a full game without being pulled off by the coach.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Tony Lowry
AKA: Crusty the Clown
Age: Good question
Left or Right Foot: Two left feet.
Years Playing: 25 Years
Previous Club: The Sydney Left footed All stars
History: Crusty has been rumoured to be closely linked with The Coach - so when The Coach got the call up to play/coach The Phantoms he quickly sort the aid of Crusty to lead the way in the forwards. They both have never looked back.
Player most respected: Andrew Green
Memorable Moment: Not being sent off during one season.
Embarrassing Moment: Being pulled off in a grand final whilst on a hat trick.
Favourite Team: Argentina
Favourite Player: Himself
Favourite Movie: Anything with Middlesborough in it.
Favourite Food: Vodka & Orange
Goal for 1999: To turn up for training.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Sargon Jacob
AKA: The Butcher of Bagdad
Age: 18
Left or Right Foot: Right, Left & Middle.
Years Playing: 45 Years
Previous Club: Bagdad All Stars, Saddam's Federation & The bagdad Butchers
History: Sargon started his playing career with the Butchers of Bagdad but quickly moved up the ranks once Saddam saw him play. It was whilst he was playing for the Bagdad All Star's that his career changed dramatically - this is how he tells the story: "I don't remember much of the incident but it all started when we were playing the Kuwait Oilers. A scuffle broke out, it quickly grew to a full-scale riot and before you know it the yanks were bombing Bagdad. I thought - time to leave and find a greener soccer field - Phantoms forever."
Player most respected: Bill Clinton
Memorable Moment: Fleeing Bagdad.
Embarrassing Moment: Not shaving his back before a game.
Favourite Team: Balmain
Favourite Player: Ali Bin 707 Sheik Waddy Waddy Penfolds
Favourite Movie: Return to Eden.
Favourite Food: Anything vegetarian.
Goal for 1999: Finally having the hair on his back & chest permanently removed.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Pierre Millet
AKA: Pierre
Age: 69
Left or Right Foot: What ever he chooses.
Years Playing: 3
Previous Club: Lyon Lions, Bastille Burgulars & The Chefs of Newtown
History: Pierre didn't really get his real chance at playing with the Phantoms until he joined The Chef's of Newtown where he was spotted by the world famous talent scout Guy Lloydd. Guy certainly had an eye for talent and Pierre never let him down. It took a while for Pierre to fit into the Phantoms, only because no one could understand him, nothing seems to have changed - we still can't understand him. In Pierre's own words "Bon Phantoms".
Player most respected: Rocket
Memorable Moment: France winning the World Cup.
Embarrassing Moment: Watching Brasil throw the World Cup.
Favourite Team: Two Fat Lady's, Nantes
Favourite Player: Ronaldo
Favourite Movie: The French Connection
Favourite Food: VB
Goal for 1999: Playing with someone who can pass him the ball on the ground.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: John Gatsas
AKA: Yannii, Johno
Age: 45
Left or Right Foot: Why
Years Playing: 45
Previous Club: The Greek Yeeros, The Dolamadies of Athens, Hercules All Stars & Pantheon Panthers
History: Yannii started his career playing the The Greek Yeeros club for all the yeeros that he could eat. He quickly out grew his taste for yeeros so he left to join the Dolamides, that didn't last long due to the fact that he is allergic to vine leaves. He finally found a home with the Hercules All stars where he made a name for himself - albeit Yannii. A short stint with the Pantheon Panthers then saw him transferred to the Phantoms because of military commitments in greece he had no hesitation in moving to now world famous team.
Player most respected: Yannii Panthenalikos Souvlaki
Memorable Moment: Being selected for the Phantoms
Embarrassing Moment: Playing for the Phantoms
Favourite Team: The Phantoms
Favourite Player: Yanis Kouros, Demis Rusos
Favourite Movie: Greece
Favourite Food: Pizza
Goal for 1999: Being able to change his AKA.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Juergen Reichel
AKA: Klingsman
Age: 30
Left or Right Foot: Makes no difference, he still doesn't pass the ball
Years Playing: As above
Previous Club: Cologne Has Beens,SS Auscwitz, Bayern Munchen Canons & The Berlin Brawlers
History: Jergen has had a much talked about, mostly colourful past that we are unable to discuss - at this stage. Suffice to say that many Germans who see him stop, salute him and seem to say "Hail Klingsman". The Phantoms never have questioned him about his past we are just so proud to see him in the red shirt of Marrickville.
Player most Respected: Dennis & Harry - especially after they chased him around the park in an attempt to hit him.
Memorable Moment: Spitting the dummy at the coach against Liechart Tigers
Embarrassing Moment: Turning up just on kick off for the semi final against Five Dock
Favourite Team: Five Dock
Favourite Player: Andy Pascalidies
Favourite Movie: The Sound of Music
Favourite Food: Foot long hot dogs
Goal for 1999: Being on time for the semi's
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Neil O'Donnell
AKA: Neil
Age: 18
Left or Right Foot: That's right
Years Playing: 17
Previous Club: Moscow Red Necks, Vodka Twists & Stalin's Slammers
History: Neil was born in Moscow some 35 years ago during the reign of the USSR in world soccer, his father was Greek & his mother was Spanish. It was during his playing career that he was being discriminated by his own players that he and his family felt the urge to pack up and move to Australia. They have since changed their names and found sanctuary with the Phantoms. What this has to do with his playing career is beyond me but it makes a good story.
Player most respected: Fernando
Memorable Moment: Having seen Juergen pass a ball.
Embarrassing Moment: Having seen Juergen pass the ball to the opposition.
Favourite Team: Sydney Flames
Favourite Player: Ozzie
Favourite Movie: Twins
Favourite Food: who knows !
Goal for 1999: Seeing Juergen pass the ball to his own team mates.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Boris Rojas
AKA: The Flamenco
Age: 39
Left or Right Foot: Still not sure
Years Playing: 55
Previous Club: Boca High Flyers, Chilean Flamenco Best XI & Santigo Sleepers
History: Boris, began his illustrious career with the Boca High Flyers at a very young age (25) but it wasn't long before he knew his passion lay else where - dancing. He took up a career of dancing with the Chilean dance company but found that it didn't quite subdue his urge for football. He then had a vision - why not enter a dance company into the football league. So it was, he formed the Flamenco Best XI and found instant success - but how cruel is life. It was during a match with his old team the Boca High Flyers that he sprained his big toe. He knew instantly that his career was over - at least in his home country. He made a decision to leave and come to Australia where he decided to form a team and start his career again, where nobody knew him. It was with the help of his old mate Lou Pagano that the Phantoms were formed.
Player most respected: Danny
Memorable Moment: Founding the Phantoms
Embarrassing Moment: As Above, and breaking hid arm when wearing new futbol boots with screw in studs. He tried to walk on a paved footpath….not a good idea….he ended up with a bandage bigger than his head!!
Favourite Team: Balmain
Favourite Player: Lou Pagano
Favourite Movie: The Nutcracker
Favourite Food: Anything with alcohol
Goal for 1999: Playing up front
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Erick Rojas
AKA: Keeper, Ecka
Age: 33
Left or Right Foot: Who cares - he is our keeper
Years Playing: 30
Previous Club: Boca High Flyers
History: Not many people know this but Erick is the twin brother of Boris "The Flamenco" Rojas. And, not many people know that Erick was the one who inadvertently changed his brother's career. That's right, he was involved in the world famous incident of the spraining of Boris's big toe - when this news broke he had to leave the country otherwise he would have met with an unfortunate accident. Not much is know of where he went but Boris tracked him down. After lengthy meetings where we believe all their differences were resolved Boris offered him the prestigious role of keeping for the Phantoms - at least he know he would get a lot of practice.
Player most respected: David Beynon
Memorable Moment: Being put under undue pressure by his team mates (defenders)
Embarrassing Moment: Watching his brother play up front
Favourite Team: Colo Colo, Boca Juniors
Favourite Player: Crusty
Favourite Movie: Goodfellows
Favourite Food: Anything on a plate
Goal for 1999: To keep the number 1 jersey
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Chris Zechner
AKA: Ossie's Brother
Age: 45
Left or Right Foot: Right, Right, Right
Years Playing: 90
Previous Club: Austrian Snow Bunnies, Chef's Choice of Europe & Austrian Schnapps Best XI
History: That's right, Chris is Ossie's brother - but who the hell is Ossie? Chris had to leave Austria because he always lived in his brother's shadow - there was no way out but to leave and come to Australia. It was at Mackey Park, while picnicking with some friends, that he saw the Phantoms play. He asked a few questions of the team after their game then turned up for training the following Tuesday evening. He was a perfect fit for the team and quickly accepted the offer from the Coach. To this day Chris leads by example, when he turns up for training it's always late, when he goes out he always gets drunk and he abides by the most important rule of the Phantoms - blame someone else.
Player most respected: The Coach
Memorable Moment: End of season dinner at No Names - he is now banned from that establishment.
Embarrassing Moment: Telling the coach how much he respected him as a sweeper.
Favourite Team: Canberrra Cosmos
Favourite Player: Boris Becker
Favourite Movie: The Bird Cage
Favourite Food: Anything with carrots - it seems that he brings them up all the time after a night out on the drink.
Goal for 1999: Getting back into No Names
Phantom Player Profile
Name: George Leas
AKA: Psst & Over the Bar
Age: 20
Left or Right Foot: Sometimes one of each
Years Playing: 33
Previous Club: Athens Bench Warmers, Ouzo University & The Pita All Rounders
History: George had a long association with some of the player of the Phantoms many years prior to his joining. He had played along side The Coach, Crusty & most of all Golden Goal Pagano. It was while he was playing with the Ouzo Uni that Gatsas noticed him - but it wasn't until Gatsas joined the Phantoms that he contacted George to join him. The Ouzo Uni agreed to loan George to the Phantoms for a few games. George enjoyed the bickering so much that decide to join the team. Negotiations began and for an undisclosed amount the deal was done - George became a Phantom. He was a perfect fit, he was able to bicker with the best as well as miss open goals as well as anyone else.
Player most respected: Jimmy Hendrix
Memorable Moment: Pulling on the red shirt of Marrickville for the Phantoms
Embarrassing Moment: Trying to get the same shirt off - it was 3 sizes too small
Favourite Team: Queensland
Favourite Player: Tony "Cantona" Saleh
Favourite Movie: Under Siege
Favourite Food: Bourbon & Coke
Goal for 1999: Trying to get back into that under sized red shirt
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Tony Saleh
AKA: Cantona
Age: 49
Left or Right Foot: One day we will find out
Years Playing: 1
Previous Club: Homous Head Bangers, Tabouli Tornados & Shishkebab Sheik's
History: Tony had an illustrious career with the Homous Head Bangers before he was convinced to play for the Tabouli Tornados - in his own words "They threatened to steal m boots if I did not play for them". His career took another turn when the Sheik's kidnapped him and made him play for them. But the cruelest twist of all came when the Sheik's were touring Australia. Boris saw Tony play and tried to sign him up for the Phantoms but Tony refused. So Boris, thinking like an Arab, did what he thought was right & just - he kidnapped Tony and forced him to sign & play for the Phantoms.
Player most respected: The Coach
Memorable Moment: Wearing the Manchester United Jersey
Embarrassing Moment: Watching the Phantoms snatch defeat from the jaws of victory so many times
Favourite Team: The Phantoms
Favourite Player: The Coach
Favourite Movie: Escape from Beirut
Favourite Food: Meat Pie
Goal for 1999: Not to spit the dummy at the coach, run into the SCG naked.
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Cevat Erbil
AKA: John Turk, John F…ken, Johnny
Age: 21
Left or Right Foot: Not sure, he doesn't speak english
Years Playing: 77
Previous Club: Turkish All Stars, European Best XI & The Rest of the World
History: John played his youth football with the Turkish All Stars where he was having great success. Guy Lloyd, who was then on a European scouting assignment, spotted him and offered him a chance in Europe, John quickly accepted. John's biggest break was when he was playing for the Rest of the World. A position had become available in Australia, Guy was quickly in contact with him to offer him a chance of a lifetime - playing for the Phantoms. As most of the Phantoms, John is a perfect fit - he has trouble with the english language and he doesn't pass the ball.
Player most respected: Margaret Thatcher
Memorable Moment: Sydney winning the 2000 Olympics Bid
Embarrassing Moment: Watching the Phantoms warm up before a game
Favourite Team: Australian Synchronised Swimming Team
Favourite Player: Tiger Woods
Favourite Movie: Midnight Express
Favourite Food: Yeeros
Goal for 1999: Learning to speak english
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Morrie Nahas
AKA: Morrie
Age: 35
Left or Right Foot: We are about to find out
Years Playing: 50
Previous Club: Cairo Cardinals, Egyptian Pharaohs & Sphinx's of Egypt
History: This is Morrie's first year with the Phantoms and they are expecting big things from this young lad. He made a name for himself in the ancient land of the Pharaoh's, playing against the likes of the Pyramids of Cairo, Suez Sleezbags and more importantly the Nymphs of the Nile. It was against Nymphs that the Coach spotted him, what the Coach was doing there is still not known - but none the less the Coach was there. The Coach was so impressed with Morrie's style with the Nymphs that he made Morrie an offer that he couldn't refuse - play for the Phantoms or I'll tell your parents what you have been doing here. Morrie quickly accepted.
Player most respected: Elle McPherson
Memorable Moment: Having a photo with the wax figure of Elle
Embarrassing Moment: Only just finding out it was a wax figure and not the real thing
Favourite Team: Egyptian Netball Team
Favourite Player: Janet Jackson
Favourite Movie: The Ten Commandments
Favourite Food: Baked Beans
Goal for 1999: To survive a year with the Phantoms
Phantom Player Profile
Name: Angelo Canu
AKA: Ange
Age: 20
Left or Right Foot: Makes no difference, he will never play again.
Years Playing: 33
Previous Club: Sicilian Sledgers, Mt Etna Best XI & Napoli Knee Cappers
History: Ange made his football debut with the Phantoms, he was spotted kicking the ball around at Mackey Park by the Coach - the Coach, having an eye for talent, quickly convinced Ange to sign up. As so often happens, life deals a cruel hand - the Coach explains "It was mid season and we were about to start training. I noticed something strange with Ange immediately, he was warming up. I didn't pay too much attention because Ange tended to do things a little different to the rest of us. But it wasn't until we all saw him doing laps of the park that we were all very concerned. I went up to him and asked if there was anything wrong, he said all was fine. Then tragedy struck, Ange went to pass the ball to Erick (some say it was a shot, but I still believe that it was a pass) when he tripped on a blade of grass and tore all the ligaments in his knee, hips and lower ankles. We all learnt a valuable lesson that night - don't warm up".
Player most respected: Oprah
Memorable Moment: Watching Star Trek
Embarrassing Moment: Finding out that Marlon Brando is not the real godfather
Favourite Team: Lebanese Ice Hockey Team
Favourite Player: Rex Hunt
Favourite Movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Favourite Food: Red Wine
Goal for 1999: Trying not to laugh when he sees the Phantoms play and to have another son ( it would make his own indoor soccer team).
