Cumberland United midfielder Jim Stavrides wins Sergio Melta Medal aged 36
CUMBERLAND United midfielder Jim Stavrides says sharing SA soccer's highest individual honour will not change his decision to hang up the boots.
CUMBERLAND United midfielder Jim Stavrides says sharing Premier League soccer's highest individual honour will not change his decision to hang up the boots.
Stavrides, 36, became one of the oldest winners of the Sergio Melta Medal at the Football Federation SA awards night at Adelaide Entertainment Centre last month.
He finished level on 29 votes with MetroStars playmaker Tony Hatzis, capping a season in which he helped the Clarence Gardens-based Cumberland defy expectations to reach the semi-final.
Despite the success, Stavrides, of West Beach, says the time is right to retire after 19 seasons.
"I called it before the season started and only a few people knew," he says.
"I called it because I've got a young family.
"It takes a lot of your time up and I didn't want to go out being someone who is remembered for being injured or too slow.
"The medal's a pleasant surprise.
"I don't think there's any better way I could've gone out apart from winning the grand final."
Stavrides moved to Adelaide from his hometown Port Pirie as a 14-year-old in 1991.
He moved through the junior ranks at Adelaide City before making his first-team debut for Croydon in 1995.
From there, Stavrides played for a handful of other clubs, including Port Lion, West Torrens Birkalla and MetroStars, joining Cumberland 18 months ago.
"I've had a lot of luck," he said.
"I'm reasonably light in frame, never had any broken bones and tried to maintain myself as well."
Stavrides says the medal ranks alongside his 2009 Super League title with MetroStars and playing for an SA team against Brazilian great Romario's Miami FC in 2006 as his major career highlights.