Features
Rescued, rebuilt, reborn: Playford City’s 70-year story
By Sacha Pisani28 May 2026
Playford City. This is a story of resilience and community spirit.
This year marks their 70th anniversary. It has been one hell of a ride to get to this point since their humble beginnings in a garage at Elizabeth South
From administration, to 20 years in the South Australian wilderness before returning to the top flight in 2025. Those challenges across seven decades have shaped this community club.
Now, Playford City find themselves in the upper echelons of NPL SA this season.
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“An anniversary season is more than a milestone on the calendar,” Chairman and Director Greg Voigt told HIGHPRESS. “It is a moment to reflect on where the club has come from, acknowledge the people who have shaped it, and recommit to what it wants to be moving forward.
“For this club, it represents both respect for a long and at times challenging history, and pride in the progress made to return to higher levels of competition.”
“At its core, the club stands for resilience, community, and belonging. It has been shaped by decades of change, periods of hardship, and strong moments of success. That history has created a club that understands what it takes to rebuild, stay connected, and keep moving forward even when conditions are difficult.
“In recent years, a strong cultural reset has been driven through head coach Ben Moore, who has been with the club for eight years and guided the senior program from State League 2 back into the NPL. His influence has been central in embedding a clear identity built on standards, accountability, and unity.”
“While the club has had a chequered history, that history is not avoided - it is acknowledged as part of what makes the club what it is today. The focus now is on building stability, sustaining success, and ensuring the next chapter is stronger and more consistent than those that came before it.
“Ultimately, the anniversary season is about recognising how far the club has come, while reinforcing a clear direction: to be successful on the field, responsible off it, and united in the way it represents its community.”
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This is a community club with clear principles. It is also a club with a deep history.
Playford City were founded back in May, 1956. A small group of football enthusiasts gathered in a garage behind Mr Britain’s greengrocery store on Goodman Road, Elizabeth South, to establish what would become one of South Australia’s most recognised football clubs.
From that moment, the club was born as Elizabeth United, with their first match in March, 1957.
Mergers and name changes followed. From Elizabeth United to Elizabeth City, the club established themselves as one the state’s most dominant clubs. Then, they hit trouble in the late 1990s. By 2000 the situation had escalated to the point where administrators were appointed.
Enter local business figures Rocco and Fiona Varacalli. They rescued the club and relaunched it as Playford City. Their intervention ensured football in the north would continue and laid the platform for future growth.
More ups and downs have followed. From 2005 onwards, Playford City languished outside the top tier. There were relegations, rebuilding phases, financial pressures and fluctuating fortunes after their 2003 Federation Cup triumph.
Two decades past before Playford City earned their place among South Australia’s elite.
They have never won a top-flight title, but are certainly in the mix in 2026.
Eighth in 2025, Ben Moore’s Playford City are third in the standings and just two points off the pace through 11 rounds.
It is the result of long-term planning and a sustainable vision.
“The progress in 2026 has come from a steady, long-term approach rather than any major sudden change,” said Voigt.
“A key part of that has been building financial stability through the Angle Vale Tavern. That has helped give the club a more consistent base to operate from, rather than relying heavily on short-term funding or reacting year to year.”
“Alongside that, there has been ongoing investment back into the local football community. Through the Tavern and club support, 18 local clubs have been assisted in different ways. That has helped strengthen relationships across the region and reinforced the club’s focus on being community-based rather than just senior-team focused.
“On the football side, the improvements have come from consistency and clearer standards across the program. Training has been more structured, expectations are more aligned, and there has been a stronger focus on recruiting players who fit the club’s style and culture.
“The 8–1 result earlier in the season is a good example of what the group is capable of, but the main difference this year is that performances have been more consistent rather than occasional.
“There hasn’t been a major increase in spending or a single turning point - more a gradual improvement in structure, stability, and football alignment over time.
“As a result, the club is more competitive week to week in 2026 and better placed than in previous seasons, even without having previously won a top-flight title.”
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Playford City are certainly not a club sitting still. In the midst of their anniversary season, they are dreaming big.
The future? Their eyes are on Australia’s second tier.
Voigt added: “The club’s aim is to be successful both on and off the pitch. A big part of that is continuing to improve the off-field foundation so the football side can keep progressing in a sustainable way.
“There is ongoing work with local, state and federal government around upgrading the facility, with the longer-term vision of developing it into a Northern football hub. The idea is to create a space that is used more broadly by the community, not just match days — including access for schools, junior programs, and academy-based activity, along with potential commercial opportunities that help support the club’s future growth.
“From a football perspective, the club is also positioning itself to be competitive in whatever the next level of the Australian football structure looks like, including the potential second tier A-League if it comes to fruition.
“The focus is on ensuring the club is structured properly, both in governance and football operations, so it is in a position to be part of that conversation.”
“At the same time, there is a strong sense of pride in where the club has come from. That history is important, but the focus is firmly on the future - continuing to build a club that people want to be involved in, and one that supporters want to come and watch regularly because of what is happening on and off the pitch.”
