How coach Paul Virgona’s EastLink execution tore Croydon Footy Club apart
When Paul Virgona was gunned down on EastLink it wasn’t just his family affected. The murder led to the collapse of Croydon Footy Club’s under-19s team who are now vowing to play on, even without their coach.
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The brutal freeway execution of Croydon dad and fruiterer Paul Virgona devastated far more than just his family and friends.
His murder also led to the collapse of Croydon Footy Club’s under-19s team.
Shortly before he was killed Mr Virgona, 46, signed on as coach and had big plans to lure in fresh new talent.
But the team all but collapsed after his death, with players moving to different clubs or giving up altogether.
Now Simon Fielding has stepped into Mr Virgona’s shoes and is calling on new players to join.
“The disappointment of losing Paul had huge flow on effects not just with his family but the football community,” he said.
“He was a very respected coach and was going to reinvigorate the team with new players.
“He had good connections within the Eastern Ranges and was going to reach out to a number of chaps to get them to come over and play.
“His death was a massive shock. It was completely out of the blue … it knocked everyone for six.”
The footy season will kick off on April 4.
With just five players signed up, the team desperately needs new players.
“We are chasing half a team. It’s a big ask,” said Mr Fielding, a club life member.
Mr Virgona’s 17-year-old son, Luca, was supposed to play the season under his dad.
It was a huge shared passion for the father and son and the last thing they spoke about before Mr Virgona was gunned down while driving to work on EastLink at 2.20am on November 9.
Homicide squad detectives charged Mongols bikies Aaron Ong, 34, of Kilsyth, and Josh Rider, 29, of Port Melbourne, with his murder in January.
It is alleged 11 shots were fired from a 9mm semiautomatic pistol into Mr Virgona’s van, hitting him multiple times.
The murder car, a Mercedes-Benz C200 sedan, was torched in front of CCTV cameras in Mooroolbark before the killers took off in a Volkswagen Amarok ute.
It was chased by police to Bayswater before the suspects fled on foot through parkland.
Extensive investigations into Mr Virgona’s background have failed to turn up any links to crime or motive for his murder, leading police to believe he was killed in a tragic case of mistaken identity.
His accused killers will next appear in court on May 27.
Prospective players can contact Croydon Football Club by emailing croydon@efnl.org.au or via their Facebook page.
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